Recently, I had a scant few hours to show a colleague of mine "the heart" of Tucson. She's Canadian and had never been to Arizona, much less Tucson. We were her last stop before leaving the state. She had seen the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Scottsdale and everything in between. Now it was Tucson's turn. So, in just a few hours, we went to the Saguaro National Park West visitors center and watched the "Desert Speaks" video. We then drove a few minutes deeper into the park and took the quick but rewarding hike to the Signal Hill petroglyphs (10,000 year old rock drawings). From there we zoomed to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and caught a glimpse of the Javelina, Ocelots, Gila Monsters, and black bears (oh my!). We both ooh-ed and ahhh-ed as we drove over Gate's Pass and into Downtown Tucson for lunch. After lunch, we did something I've really always wanted to do. It was adventurous, it was risky to suggest, but Kathy was absolutely up for it. We took a Segway tour!

I know, I've done my share of giggling when a Segway tour group, all driving in a little line of the two-wheeled machines, donning their helmets and fully concentrating on the path ahead crosses my path. Ever since I convinced a security guard to let me give his Segway a spin, I've wanted to do a road test. Here was my opportunity. Kathy and I met Denise Russell, owner and tour guide at Roll With It! Segway Guided Tours on Fourth Avenue. After a brief but thorough instructional and safety session; helmets on and a headset to hear our wonderful guide, we were off like a herd of turtles. Denise has the Segways set so that they can't go too fast, all for our own safety of course. At first I was disappointed at this fact, thinking I was going to be Mario Andretti on two wheels. But, once we got out into the public byways, my tune changed a little. I was concentrating so hard on how my weight was distributed and how to keep the thing going straight, avoiding potholes, not swerving into traffic, not running into Kathy; Oh, and looking at all the really cool stuff around me. I forgot my need for speed! After about 10 minutes, I was really comfortable, though, and was having a blast. We went through the historic Pie Allen Neighborhood (which I'd never seen after living here for 12 years!) and over the iconic Rattlesnake Bridge (which rattles to welcome you when you pass under the tail). After stopping for a picture in the mouth of our beloved rattlesnake structure, we headed back to Fourth Avenue on yet another scenic route. We went right down the sidewalk of Fourth Avenue (something like Tucson's Height Ashbery district). I thought for sure we'd get some of the looks and giggle for our stylish helmets and duckling style formation. But nope! Everybody was asking questions about the Segways! Is that hard? Is it fun? Where can I get one? It was hilarious. Kathy and I both vowed to come back and do a longer tour another day. It really was super-fun and a truly great way to tour the wonderfully historic neighborhoods of downtown Tucson. It beats walking them - hands down! You cover more ground and are much less exhausted when you're done!

By the time it was said and done, Kathy and I had covered a lot of ground and seen a lot of things during her short visit to Tucson. One of the fondest memories that we both hold, is posing for a picture in the mouth of a giant rattlesnake on our newest two-wheeled rides! We highly recommend taking a Segway tour. Sign up for yours today!