Our Tucson Adventure

For spring break, we decided to take the kids to Tucson for a few days. It was a perfect time to visit my grandparents, Grandpa Melvin & Grandma Emily, and a good excuse to sneak in a few fun excursions as well. Our first stop was Picacho Peak. Connor had been learning about Picacho Peak in social studies, so it was perfect timing. We climbed the Calloway Trail, which is the trail that runs between Picacho and Buglers Peaks. It was a fun little hike, and just enough for all the kids to enjoy without tiring them out too much. Then we rested at a picnic ramada and ate lunch.

While we were there, the kids became Junior Rangers. It's a cool program that the Arizona State Parks does, and the kids had a blast with it. They had to be "sworn in" and even got a ranger badge.

After Picacho Peak, it was off to visit Grandpa Melvin & Grandma Emily. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera for that one... Luckily, Antie Andie remembered hers. Andrea, do you have some pictures for me? :-) It was a fun visit with Grandma & Grandpa, and we even got to see Grandpa Todd, Uncle Kent, Aunt Colleen, Uncle Dave and Aunt Rena, too. It was a lot of fun to visit with everyone, and the kids had a blast in the backyard.

Then we checked in to the hotel--and for the kids, I think the hotel was the highlight of the trip. They got to go swimming and watch TV--two things they NEVER get to do at home!

The next day we went to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. The kids had a lot of fun there, too. They got to go through a "cave" and look at rocks and minerals and came out in a "mining dump" where they got to look for cool minerals. They even got to take one home. And, of course, they all picked pyrite, and you can't convince them it's not real gold! They also enjoyed seeing some amazing animals, although some of our favorites weren't out. We did enjoy watching the coyotes, wolves, and beavers most, though.

Right along the same road as the ASDM, there is a very cool museum called the International Wildlife Museum. That was our next stop, and was it ever cool! Thanks, Charlotte, for telling us all about it. This museum is a huge collection of taxidermied (is that a word?) animals. It's amazing! We saw wolves, polar bears, lions, tigers, giraffes, hippos--you name it! Any animal you can think of is in this museum. We even saw a panda bear specimen that was over 100 years old. There were some incredible animals that we never would have believed existed. And they had a deer and antelope wall that would make Grandpa Zeke drool! The kids liked this muskox. He was pretty cool. They also enjoyed the sea otters, the grizzly and polar bears, the jaguars, and the Arizona room. Tatum was pretty terrified of alot of the animals. She wasn't coming anywhere near the huge gator sprawled across the Africa room.

The last day of our trip, we visited Colossal Cave. It had been at least 10 years since Justin and I had visited Colossal Cave, and although I remember liking it alot last time we went, this time I was terrified. Something about the long drops on either sides of the path, and my kids walking single file along these precarious pearches, made me sweat and shake! I was glad when that adventure was over. The kids and Justin, of course, had a great time. They didn't even notice Mom in the background freaking out.

We learned some of the history of the cave, heard the famous train robbers legend, and got to see some beautiful cave formations. Although people have destroyed much of the cave's beauty, there is still quite a bit to enjoy. This picture is of the kids standing in front of one of the cave formations they call "Bone Crusher." I guess the formation is low enough that too many people have cracked their heads on it! I'm glad we took the kids to see Colossal Cave--but I'm not anxious to return any time soon.

All in all, I'd say it was a successful trip. Lots of fun, and minimal fighting--that's what makes a great vacation, right?