Jake's Corner and Tonto Basin are a joy to visit.
Located 15 miles South of Payson, just 3 miles South from where Hwy 188 and Hwy 87 intersect is a tiny little bump in the road called Jake's Corner. If you saw Jake's Corner, The Movie you'll recognize the buildings and even some of the "regulars" who played themselves in the movie.
You'll miss Jake's Corner if you blink, so hold those eyes wide open and you'll see some interesting things. Jake's Corner appears to be a bar (Jake's Corner Bar, of course), a grocery store and a small RV Park. But it is much, much more.
During the settling of Arizona, it was one stop on the stage coach line from Phoenix to Flagstaff. I can just imagine the weary, dusty travelers who were ready for some dinner and maybe a glass of fresh buttermilk when that stagecoach pulled up to the Jake's Corner stop.
Old Fort Reno is just down the road and you can still see the rock wall the soldiers built for one of the dwellings. 
Hwy 188 then meanders South through Punkin Center, Tonto Basin and past Roosevelt Lake on its way to Globe. If you'll look sharply after passing the lake and you'll see Indian ruins off to your right half hidden in the low hills. Quite a nice ride, especially on a Harley.
Be sure to stop along the way and enjoy the majestic cliffs that are a backdrop to Lake Roosevelt and wave back to the friendly folks that will be waving to you as they pass.
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