Last year I discovered what a great escape Mt. Lemmon is when the summer heat makes Tucson less than ideal for outdoor exercise. At approximately 9,000 feet, the hiking trails near the top of the mountain wander through evergreen forests, with grassy areas, wildflowers, and even wild raspberry bushes lining the paths. Best of all, it's cool enough to enjoy the sunshine, even in the middle of July.

Although the Meadow Trail at the top is one of my favorites, this past weekend I decided to challenge myself on the Butterfly Trail. As you start the hike, the route opens up to scenic vistas of the valley below before descending into a shady valley. (I should note here, that the descent and subsequent ascent on the way back are what makes this trail physically challenging.)

On the way down the mountain, the hike was easy enough for me to enjoy the sites of cheerful yellow columbines cascading down a gully and patches of tall swirling meadow grass. The pine-scented air was refreshing and energizing, and both my dog and I enjoyed the adventure. As we neared the point where the Butterfly Trail joins the Crystal Springs Trail Trail, I was shocked to find myself in a field of emerald green ferns. It was a scene that I only would have imagined in the Northwestern part of the country.

When we reached the intersection with the Crystal Springs Trail, only about 1.5 miles from the starting point, I decided to turn around. The hike down was steep enough that I was a little worried about how well I would do on the way out. As it turned out, my dog was less excited about the hike out than I. Every few feet, she would stop in front of me, lie down on the trail, or crawl under the shady ferns and grass along the way. After many rest stops, we finally made our way back to the top. Tired and sweaty, but feeling very virtuous and healthy, we headed home. 

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The American Bicycle Association BMX Southwest Nationals competition took place at the Tucson Convention Center this past weekend. Tucson hosted an amazing number of talented racers and I was lucky enough to get the chance to ride with them during Friday's practice rounds. The dirt track was impressive - tight turns, big jumps, step-ups, and the bone jarring "rhythm section" (a series of back to back jumps). They decked me out in a Tucson BMX jersey and a very snug helmet. It was a thrill to ride out just behind a group of racers during their practice session and the adrenaline was pumping as I hit the first jump. I definitely felt my youth coming back to me. As I approached the final turn I could hear my co-workers cheering me on and for a second I thought about waving but ultimately decided that keeping the bike upright would be preferable. Managing to avoid any untimely "dismounts," I really enjoyed my time on the track. Unfortunately the ride was over before I knew it and I was left thinking about what could have been had I gotten into BMX racing a long time ago. This event is definitely worth checking out when it returns next summer, and rumor has it that there are a couple of local tracks to practice on in the meantime!

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One of our favorite late-summer activities is splashing in the mud at Tucson's annual Mud Monster Mud Puddle Party at Reid Park. Slipping, sliding, and wallowing in mud pools with thousands of fun-seekers brings out the freewheeling kid in everyone. There's something revitalizing about being slathered in the cool muck: mud wraps are used to purify the skin at some of Tucson's finest spas! As for family-friendly fun in the mud, Reid Park is the place to be in August.

This year, my husband and I and our two preteen-aged kids arrived at the park by 7:30 a.m. in time to register before the 8 a.m. start. We headed straight for the obstacle courses, which are sectioned into areas for kids, teens, and adults. Toddlers and younger kids can slosh around in shallow, muddy, sand pits, with adult supervision.

Racing round the obstacle courses is a blast. My eight-year-old son won first place in a foot race with another boy by sliding across the finish line. He was covered with mud from head to toe, and grinning from ear to ear. Next, while my husband took photos, my 11-year-old daughter and I took our turns maneuvering the courses. For her, sliding along a 10-foot plastic mat, sinking into puddles, and diving through inflated plastic tubes was a breeze. For me, a mom who can barely handle the mess of dying Easter eggs, it was a ... challenge. I couldn't get used to the mud/sand that clung to my every pore; yet I continued, laughing with my daughter all the way! We tripped our way through two giant, rubber tires hanging from a tree. We scaled a five-foot, slippery, mud-caked wall, using a rope to haul us up and an onslaught of rushing muddy water to help us slide down. We belly-crawled under low bars and over a military-type net suspended atop a mud puddle. What a workout! At the end of the course, the Tucson Fire Department rinsed off the crowd with fire hoses.

Until the fun ended at noon, we enjoyed a festival with live entertainment and affordable food from vendors. We're already planning a "kids versus parents" race for next year. Hope to see you there. Until then, here's mud in your eye!

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It had been five years or so since my husband and I had visited Bisbee, so when our friends Jody and Greg suggested a weekend jaunt, we were ready. We figured there wouldn't be much to do there but that didn't dissuade us from jumping at the chance. The thought of escaping the heat, if only for a day or two, trumped any concern over time on our hands.

We were already looking for lunch when we approached the Sonoita crossroads. Greg's exhaustive internet search had turned up a restaurant that was inexplicably - yet undeniably - closed. With a sigh we stopped for suggestions at Dos Cabezas Winery. We got one - Grasslands Café - and more. We left carrying a case of local nectar and four stemmed glasses that promised discounts at several wineries down the road. 

By the time we rolled into Bisbee it was late afternoon and the weather a pleasant 85. We checked into El Dorado Suites, an historic hotel overlooking Brewery Gulch and the "oldest continually operated bar" in Bisbee. It's a wonderful spot for families or couples traveling together: our suite featured two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, bath and balcony. "Awesome," we all cooed as we unpacked and prepared for a walk around town.

Turns out, the second Saturday evening of each month is "Bisbee after Dark," the local gallery "walk." As we headed up the street, I realized Bisbee had changed a bit in the last few years: there were shops and galleries and stores and restaurants ... and they were open!  There was food and drink and musicians accompanying our evening stroll. This was a revelation ...and it was fun!

Thank goodness we had the presence of mind to make a reservation for dinner. Cafe Roka is one of Arizona's top 100 restaurants and it fills up fast. We finished up our gallery tour just in time to eat, and eat we did. We were seated and attended to immediately, even though the restaurant's three levels were all a-hopping. I had the artichoke and mushroom lasagna with three sauces. It came with appetizer, salad and sorbet, for $16.50 - memorable for its taste, price and the historic ambience. My dinner companions' dinner choices brought comparable amenities and aaahs.

We head back to the hotel and fall into bed. We need to be up and at ‘em by 9 to take the tour of the old Bisbee Mine. First it's breakfast at Copper Queen Hotel and then into our slickers for what turns out to be a private tour of the now-defunct mine. Early Sunday morning is the time to beat the crowds, we comment as we disembark, jostling the hordes awaiting the 10:30 tour. Our timing -- or is it luck? -- has been "spot on" all weekend.

As we head back to Tucson, we're already making our plans to return. There's the historic home tour and the 1,000 Stairclimb and the garden tour and the vintage wine tasting and the yoga festival and, and ... So much for time on our hands.

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