Tucson, AZ

Since having kids, I have spent many a days at a variety of parks. I am always trying to rotate where we go so that the kids don’t lose interest. One of the parks on our regular rotation is Riverfront Park. This park is located at 551 W. Lambert Road. It is just east of La Canada on the south side of the street. The park is neatly tucked back off the road, which is nice and different from a lot of parks here in Tucson.

Every four years, during the Olympic Games, I watch in awe as the gymnasts perform their routines. I love to watch these athletes execute floor exercise routines, rings, and the uneven parallel bars. And, I’m always amazed at those who have disciplined themselves into being able to perform feats that are seemingly impossible. As I watch these amazing athletes on television, I always imagine myself as one of them. As laughable as it seems, (I’m sure I am way over-the-hill for an Olympic gymnast) I wonder if I ever pushed myself, if I would be able to do what they do. And that’s how I became acquainted with Tumbleweed Gymnastics at 1859 W. Grant Road.

I’m probably the worst golfer in the history of the sport. But, because things were a little hectic this week with various holiday events, I decided to get out and hit a few balls at Trini Alvarez El Rio Municipal Public Golf Course, located at 1400 West Speedway. As soon as I stepped out onto the green, I immediately felt rejuvenated. The well-kept course felt open and wide and the trees there smelled fragrant and alive, which was just the thing to lift my spirits.

When my husband and I heard that JFK Park, located at 3700 S. Mission Road, had a lake, swimming pool, sports fields, multiple playgrounds, and a library, we were there the next day. After all, we had spent the last 10 winters huddled inside next to a heater back in Upstate New York, so it’s still kind of novel for us to be outside longer than 5 minutes in December.

Officially “A” mountain is called Sentinel Peak. It was only in 1915 that enthusiastic fans of the University of Arizona’s football team made there way to the peak of the mountain to party after a victory win. They celebrated by whitewashing a large “A” in red, white and blue at the top of the mountain, and the structure has been kept up ever since. And now, it’s considered almost a Tucson institution.

When we did make it to the end, the falls were beautiful and very much worth the trip. The seven falls trickled out into a sort of pool that several people seemed to be wading in and enjoying, as the water offered cool refreshment. But, since darkness was less than two hours away, we decided not to linger after taking several pictures, and turned back.

Looking for a fun way to stay in shape? Perhaps you secretly dream of being on Dancing With the Stars? Or maybe you simply need a fun activity for your child to particpate in. Well, Center Stage Dance Studio may be the place for you. Run by Katrina Wyckoff and held at the El Conquistador Country Club at 10550 N. La Canada Drive, Center Stage offers a variety of classes for children starting at age 3 (sometimes 2 1/2) and even recently offering classes for adults.

At least once a week, I try to take my son out to do something outdoors other than just walking. So, after a particularly restless morning last Thursday, I decided to take him to De Anza Park. This is a place I had passed plenty of times, but never actually stopped to see. The park itself is a small recreational area located at 1000 North Stone Ave. right off Speedway. It offers volleyball nets, a playground, and picnic areas, but what attracted me most was the swing set.

Epic, as it is informally known, is located on the corner of 4th Avenue and University Boulevard. It’s where I go when I want to be surrounded by people and not necessarily talk to any of them. The internet is free, the coffee is pretty good, and the food would be good too, if it weren’t just a little bit too expensive. Outlets are sparse on one side of the room and plentiful on the other, so cords tend to get tangled around all the middle tables and chairs, and it might not be ideal for homework that requires silence for your concentration.

Yesterday I went out to breakfast with a friend at Paraiso Café, located at 820 East University Boulevard. I had delicious Eggs Benedict, she a Breakfast Burrito, and while we dined on the front patio, we noticed a stage in the courtyard with a few different performing acts, and an audience of stationary bike riders.