This year was my first rodeo experience ever! I had always wanted to attend an event, but never made actually made it out; this year I am certainly glad I did. The entire experience was great. The drive from downtown to the rodeo grounds was quick and easy. Parking was simple and cheap; only $5!

As I walked through the gates at the rodeo grounds, there were all the great fair-like food concessions creating smells of delicious popcorn, hot dogs and my favorite, cimarronas, AKA "snow cones."  These mouthwatering delights mingled perfectly with the tell-tale aroma of dust and ranch animals to make even the smell of the place completely authentic.

All things considered, hands-down, the best part is the actual rodeo action. I loved the way all the fans cheered for on their favorite cowboys and cowgirls. They even cheered for ropers that missed or riders that fell off just to thank them for the effort. The crowd was really into it, clapping and whistling, which only made my experience that much more thrilling!

I had an amazing view of all the rough-stock riders coming out of the chutes. I was simply in awe of what I was witnessing, from the cowboys being bucked off, and the saliva hanging from the bulls' mouths. Wow! I was thinking "these men have to be the toughest athletes out there!"

The competition categories from bull riding, steer wrestling, bare back riding and barrel racing had me on my feet! The excitement from the crowd was contagious. I was able to gather some great photos for my scrapbook, as well as to share with friends and family. If you are one of the few who have never been to the Fiesta de Los Vaqueros Rodeo in Tucson, I would say this is an event worth the trip!

Held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the El Tour de Tucson has been alive in Tucson for 27 years. I have mostly participated from a Sponsor's view. Placing advertising in the Tail Winds Newspaper and writing a Tucson related paragraph for monthly placement in the Perimeter Bicycling website.

This year however, I had a very different experience. My husband, Jay and son, Tyler both participated in the El Tour. Participants may cycle 109, 80, 66 or 35 miles. Since this was their first time, they chose the 35 mile ride.

I dropped them off at the start line. It was so exciting to see the other riders, all ages with so many different types of bicycles. Some looked very experienced; some riding in "memory of", others had decorated helmets and bikes. I quickly had a whole new appreciation of El Tour and its special meaning to each individual.

Jay and Tyler experienced the aid stations, full police support and morale-boosting spectators along the way. The organizational efforts that lead up to pulling off the El Tour are amazing to witness first hand.

Being at the finish line to cheer them on was a very proud moment for me.

The El Tour de Tucson is now so much more to our family than "one of the premier organized rides in the US".

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!

These days I find myself thinking less about what I want to do in my spare or leisure time and more about what I can afford to do. I look for events and activities that offer great value and I shun name brands for store brands (and make them last longer). I'm not alone. I've found a new "store" brand in Tucson this summer, the return of the Tucson Toros! It's professional baseball without the attitude, ego or expense that has come to dominate the sports landscape. This latest incarnation of our beloved Toros competes in the Golden Baseball League throughout the western US. The games are played at Hi Corbett Field, right in the center of town. There is no affiliation to a major league club (or a minor league one for that matter). These guys play because they love the game, the coaches coach because they love the game; I go to see them because I love the game. For a $5.00 general admission ticket, you're guaranteed a great view of all the action. The expected ballpark snacks and treats are plentiful and affordable (especially on Thursdays!). Each home game features an interactive series of events for fans and the atmosphere is exciting, friendly, fun, safe and genuine ... it's three hours of bliss for the avid or casual fan. Every Friday home game features an awesome fireworks show that seems to last forever. Check it out at www.tucsontoros.com. Did I mention the parking is free?

The 2009 U.S. Open Synchronized Swimming Championships was held in Tucson July 15 - 18, and my coworker Jenn and I had the pleasure of spending Friday afternoon at the event with Aimee and Ellen, two gals that swim for Tucson Synchro. Aimee and Ellen had Friday off (the older gals were competing that day), so they happily agreed to let Jenn and I experience what it's like to be a real synchronized swimmers for the day - all done up and learning synchro moves! Let me begin by noting that the last time I put on a one-piece swimsuit and tried to do anything athletic in the water was when I was on swim team when I was 10 years old. So, needless to say, I was a little worried about how I would do.

We showed up at the University of Arizona Recreation Center Olympic-sized pool (which I didn't even know existed!), put on our swimsuits, and sat down for Aimee and Ellen to work their magic. (We couldn't learn the moves without looking the part!) They started with purple eye liner, blue eye shadow, hot pink blush, and pink lipstick. They pulled our hair back into tight buns, and then the fun with the Knox (clear Jello-like substance) began. They were right, when Knox gelatin is mixed with hot water, it smells a tad like a wet dog. The Knox is the secret to keeping their hair hard and in place, even under water. We got to try on the beaded head pieces too, which are part of their uniforms, and can be quite expensive to purchase. They informed us one of their team members mom's makes the swimsuits and headpieces to save the team money (the decorated suits can cost up to $2,000 pre-made!).

After we were all done up, we headed into the pool. Here's a video of some of the fun:

My "takeaways" from our synchro lesson:

• Synchronized swimming might possibly be the hardest sport I have ever attempted to play. It's like gymnastics, but there is no floor to hold your weight, just your water-treading legs.
• The "Pinwheel" move is hard ... and it's a move these girls learned when they were just starting out!
• You better wear your nose clip. A shot of water up the nose is NOT fun.
• Egg beater legs (the movement they make with their legs to keep their heads above water) is really, really hard. I couldn't even maneuver it correctly holding on to the side of the pool!
• There are underwater speakers playing the same music as above the water to help the ladies keep their rhythm. I would have never thought of that!
• Some moves Aimee and Ellen taught us that I didn't even come close to being able to do: the oyster, backwards summersault.
• If I'm ever physically fit enough to balance a 120 pound person on my leg and fling them three feet in the air, it'll be a good day.

Thanks Aimee and Ellen for showing us what it is like to be you for a day! I'm definitely going to try to WATCH more synchronized swimming, but I don't think I'm physically cut out for the sport!