Last Friday, some colleagues and I went to Tohono Chul Park for a breakfast and tour of the park. I had the eggs benedict, which was delicious, but everybody's orders looked equally enticing. Watching hummingbirds and butterflies flit around the butterfly garden while enjoying breakfast was a perfect way to start the day. After breakfast the group then headed off into the park, which was beautiful. The variety of flowers, trees, cacti, etc. was simply astounding. Tohono Chul is truly a desert oasis in the middle of the city (49 acres of oasis that most people don't even realize is there!)

 
This visit made a regular out of me. I'll be returning every time the seasons change so I can see what is happening out there. We took a break from walking through the park and sat down to learn about reptiles from "Snake Boy." (On Fridays there is a reptile presentation.) His presentation was enjoyable for an audience of all ages. "Snake Boy" and his crew pulled out a slew of snakes, a Gila monster, and a turtle for us to observe as they taught us about how they survive in the Sonoran desert. With our knowledge of our reptilian neighbors expanded, we then took a quick trip through the plant propagation area and saw everything they had to offer and a variety of different garden styles. I highly recommend that anyone thinking about a landscaping project spend some time at the park gathering inspiration. 

Whether looking for a fantastic breakfast, ideas for your desert garden, or just a quiet oasis to stroll and hang out in lush flora of the Sonoran Desert, Tohono Chul is a great choice.

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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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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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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?

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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!

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The second time I've ever picked up a shotgun was this past weekend at Tucson Trap & Skeet Club. My friend Kristin convinced me to go skeet shooting with her for the day (a recent hobby she's picked up). We took our husbands out there too, convinced we could shoot better than they could. The drive there was surprisingly short, about 20 minutes from downtown, even though it sits outside of the city limits. The range is tucked away and barely noticeable from the road, even though it sits on 80 acres of land (apparently one of the largest facilities in the country)!

When we first arrived, I met Al, a Tucson resident who's been shooting skeet/sporting clays/trap for more than 25 years. He's a family friend of Kristin's, so he gave us a private lesson. Feeling very brave, we challenged the guys to a round of skeet (25 shells are shot per person in one round). It was neat learning about the sport, as I'd never been around anyone that has shot competitively. Al warned the guys that women tend to pick up the game more easily than men, so that gave me the courage. I came in first place in our first round with 12/25 clays shot!

After I decided to quit while I was ahead, I talked to Al for a bit about his history with shooting. When he can sneak away from managing his roofing business, he travels around the country taking part in shooting competitions. He really loves the sport. He did say that the Tucson Trap & Skeet Club is one of the best he's come across in the country, especially the club house restaurant (the same one I'd heard two other folks out there talking about earlier in the day). He said he likes how accommodating they are of groups out there, and that they book private groups and teach them shooting techniques, allow them to show off their skills with the rented shotguns, and then send them on their way for the day.

It was definitely an experience I'd recommend to anyone feeling like trying a new sport for the day!

On top of their normal hours, Tucson Trap & Skeet Club is open in the early mornings and some evenings too. Make sure to check out their website before you head out there.

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Since becoming a Father in 2001 and 2003, I always look forward to this day. When asked what I wanted to do this year, I thought a nice hike and picnic at the top of Tucson's highest peak, Mount Lemmon, seemed like a cool idea. 

The summers in Tucson can be a bit warm, but the top of our 9,000 ft plus mountain offers cool pine-scented weather that many a Tucsonan makes the trek to escape the hotter temperatures in the city.  It was decided that a nice hike along one of the many trails the mountain offers would be a great way to spend the day. We planned to end the day at one of the numerous picnic sites near the summit. 

Starting out mid-morning, as we drove up the winding Catalina Highway our boys noticed that the desert vegetation they are used to seeing changed into what is typical of a mountain setting. Half way up, we were able to turn off the AC and roll our windows down to breathe in the cool air. 

I had read prior to our trip that "The Mt. Lemmon Trail starts out near the summit of the 9,157 foot peak for which it is named, at a parking area about a mile past Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley near the end of Observatory Road." We drove up to the very top, passing Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley on a access road that runs towards Steward Observatory. Right before the Observatory, there is a small parking area, at Radio Ridge, with restrooms that is the trailhead for many short and long distance hikes. 

Loading up our backpacks with water, snacks and sunscreen, we headed out for the trailhead. My wife and I had been up here before with our boys and looked forward to taking the hike again. Our total hike was about 1.5 miles and meandered through covered meadows and stunning mountain vistas. 

On our way down the summit, our boys asked if we could take them on the Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley lift.  For a nominal fee, we rode up to the top of the southern most ski area in the United States. Our ride took about 15 minutes to the top and offered us views of green grassy meadows, majestic pine trees and views for miles. We took two pictures at the top and then headed down again.

We topped off the day by grilling hamburgers and enjoying the afternoon at Inspiration Rock picnic area located a few miles from the summit. As the afternoon sun started to dip in the western sky, we packed up our picnic and said our goodbyes to the gentle, cool mountain breezes we had enjoyed. On the drive down, we talked about our day and what we had enjoyed.

As for me, spending the day with my family on cool Mt. Lemmon was a memorable experience that I hope to recreate every Father's Day.

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I had the good fortune of being invited to an off-site team meeting that was to be held at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Being the animal and nature lover that I am, I was thrilled. I had no idea what an amazing adventure I had coming! I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing scenic drive through Gate's pass as you come from downtown Tucson into the Saguaro National Park. It's stunning; a wonderful prelude to what is in store at the Desert Museum. Before our meeting, our host invited our group to see the Running Wild; Fur, Feathers and Scales presentation in the cool Warden Oasis Theatre. The 20-minute program was aimed toward a younger audience, but enjoyed by all, for sure. Live critters were brought out and even presented for some of the audience members to touch. There was an educational multimedia slide show that also presented us with some trivia questions, which the presenter answered for us. Skunks, snakes, spiders and macaws were all part of the show (and the education process). It was so much fun to hear kids AND grown-ups, including my colleagues, shouting out answers and marveling at the beautiful creatures as they "ran wild" during the show.

As great as this all sounds, it's not even the best part of the day! After the Running Wild show, we headed to some amazing meeting rooms with gorgeous panoramic views of hillside after hillside covered in saguaros. We had a very nice lunch and productive meeting followed by our own private Raptor Free Flight program demonstration! WOW. It was so fantastic to see these amazing owls and hawks take flight right in front of me. Now here's the kicker! We got to call and release the female hawk ourselves! I got so excited when I heard this my eyes welled up with tears! Could it be? After years of watching these majestic birds float around the desert air, I was actually going to get to hold one in my hand? YES!

A keeper placed a little hawk treat (meat of some kind) on my glove, turned me around, and had me hold my hand up to call the beautiful, feathered creature. I was absolutely awe-struck to see her flying toward my hand. I felt like I was going to cry at the beauty of her as she swooped down and grabbed her treat. She was so light; no more than two pounds!  Next, I was to turn around with my arm extended, while she stood on my hand, and let her set off to another keeper calling her across the room. In an instant, with the slightest "swoosh" of feathers, she was gone. It was a brief encounter, but it will remain one of the most truly amazing things I've gotten to experience.

I know that not everybody will get to have this exact opportunity. But if you're an animal and nature lover too, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is a "must see" for you. Catch a Raptor Free Flight and the Running Wild programs between visits to lions, javelina and bears! I guarantee that anyone, no matter what your age, will learn something and be awestruck at some point during a visit to the Desert Museum. Check it out! www.desertmuseum.org.

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When you think of horseback riding at a dude ranch, you probably imagine sitting on top of a scraggly animal, plodding along in a nose-to-tail procession at a snail's pace. But as I recently learned at White Stallion Ranch just north of Tucson, the riding is anything but.

Imagine galloping at high speed into a herd of steers, cutting three from the herd, and maneuvering them into a small pen with the help of two fellow "cowboys." At White Stallion, you can do that on your very first day!

A few months ago, I saddled up with a group of city slickers for a day out on horseback. I started out by filling out an information sheet with my height, weight and riding experience. Based on that information, the good folks at White Stallion chose a horse that would be "mine" for the duration of my stay. 

 

Ranch hands saddled up my group's horses and met us in a corral, where we mounted up and got our basic instructions from owner Russell True.

My equine companion for the day was a chestnut cowpony of mixed breeding - Tequila - who'd come to White Stallion from a cattle outfit in Mexico. (A big 3-ring binder in the front office gives photos, details and backgrounds of all of White Stallion's beautiful horses.)

Our first order of the day was the "slow ride," a pretty typical slow-moving ride through the ranch's desert acreage in Marana (northwest of Tucson), to help the uninitiated get to know their horses. We did have a few in our group who'd never been up on a horse before, and our guides helped them get comfortable in the saddle.

Once everyone proved they could handle the basics of "giddyup," "whoa," and "don't eat that cactus," we headed to a big corral half-filled with steers.

This was "team penning" - the goal of which is to drive three cows at a time into a pen, as fast as possible. There are no prizes, but the winners get to take home both pride and the bow-legged swagger of the saddle-sore.

After passing a quick test to make sure my group could spur our horses into a gallop, as well as turn them quickly and stop on a dime (well, a quarter...), the real fun began. Russell True himself, along with two of his ranch hands, demonstrated a proper, speedy round of penning.

In a nutshell, three riders line up along one side of the rectangular pen, at the opposite end from the cattle. All at once, the riders gallop toward the cows, and the "cutter" of the group selects three from the larger herd, which the other two help drive into a small three-sided pen near the middle of the corral. Russell and his staff are on hand for support in getting the sometimes-ornery cattle into the pen. When the last steer is in, time is up!

Each team of three riders gets three chances to prove their best penning time. My group's first time was well over a minute, but by the end, we'd honed our skills enough to clock a fast 39 seconds!

Seasoned rider or not, team penning at White Stallion is a great way to experience a taste of real life (and work) on Russell True's authentic working dude ranch.

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