1. Mt. Lemmon. The stunning backdrop of Tucson is more than just scenery. On the east side of Tucson you can drive up Catalina Highway to Mt. Lemmon for  a day or weekend of seasonal activities: hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, sledding and even an upcoming Oktoberfest.

2. Delicious Eats. I dread leaving the marvelous Southwest cuisine. Mexican restaurants are found on every corner, many family owned. Some of my favorites are up near where I live on the northwest side of town: La Parilla Suiza, El Charro Cafe (did someone say margaritas?) and then there are the non-Mexican inspired choices like Zinburger (wine and burgers do pair well) and Harvest (talk about fresh ingredients – and right across from my neighborhood in Oro Valley).

3. The Wild West. Southern Arizona relishes its Wild West history, and there are plenty of places to get your fill. Old Tucson Studios, Tombstone and Trail Dust Town are all fun places to take the family to relive the Old West.

4. Saguaros. When I first moved to the desert I was completely enthralled by the miles of Saguaros – and the novelty never seemed to wear off.  These regal succulents help give Tucson its special ambiance.

5. Finally, what I will miss the most: The People. We’re leaving my stepsons here to continue their high school studies, of course they still have their mom, sister,  family and gazillion friends in Tucson – so they won’t be lonely – but we will miss them. And we can’t wait to welcome them to the Twin Cities and show them our new home.

I’ve made some wonderful friends over the years, from the Tucson Moms playgroup I joined as a new mom to the wonderful teachers and parents at St. Andrews Preschool and Manzanita Elementary to my supportive Toastmasters group and, finally, my wonderful writers group. I will miss them all dearly.

Speaking of Tucson writers… it seems appropirate to introduce you to some of them and their blogs – as they all have something special to share. If you’re looking to see Tucson on a budget, visit Kate Reynolds’ blog Tucson on the Cheap (she is always digging up free and cheap stuff to do). If you’re a pet lover, Edie Jarolim (also a travel writer) has a new book coming out: Am I Boring My Dog? Donna L. Hull writes travel for baby boomers at My Itchy Travel Feet and Vera Marie Badertscher is behind A Traveler’s Library (Love books? Love travel? This site is for you).

I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of my favorite Tucson attractions and the people I adore, there are plenty more I was unable to list.

While it’s difficult to say good-bye to a city I have grown to love, it’s also an exciting time. I’m always up for an adventure and there is certainly one on the horizon: new friends to make, restaurants to check out, attractions to discover and experiences to be had. I guess this also means I will no longer be DesertMama…

Good-bye, Tucson!

you can get charged extra for your bag exceeding weight limits

What are the fees for heavy luggage? They range from $25 up to $175 (ouch!). Visit  airfarewatchdog.com for a chart of the various airlines’ checked bags and weight fees.

Today, passengers should be aware of baggage weight limits with all of the checked bag fee buzz. We also know that departing for a trip means your bag will be fairly light; it’s usually upon your return, after a week or two of shopping or a weekend at a conference collecting swag, that it tips the scale. Sometimes the difference between forking over a baggage weight fee is only a pound or two (meaning an item or two can be removed and put in another bag).

The question today is: How do you know your suitcase is too heavy when you’ve been living out of a hotel?

The answer is simple: Use a digital luggage scale.

Upon hearing the term “scale,” don’t go off imagining packing your bathroom scale under your hats and swimsuits. There are hand-held options out there, in fact, I just had the opportunity to review the Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale and it rocks.

Balanzza, a portable hand-held scale (see above), is small enough it can fit in a shoe (I tried). Lifting it while weighing luggage is a breeze. There aren’t any handles on Balanzza, as the scale has an ergonomically shaped grip with the weight screen displayed on top of the scale for easy viewing, but it also “keeps’” the weight on the screen after setting down the luggage. It can handle items that weigh up to 100 lbs and the required AAA batteries are even included.

Even better, it’s super easy to use. After you snap the Balanzza buckle on to your luggage handle:

1. Lift the scale/luggage

2.Wait for the beep

3. Set the luggage down

4. Read the weight

I walked around the corner into my kitchen yesterday to find my five-year-0ld son weighing his lunch box, yes, he had figured it out on his own. Now, that’s user friendly!

I wouldn’t recommend people with back problems to use this scale (or anything for that matter) for lifting very heavy items, we don’t want anyone to hurt themselves. Simply ask someone to lift it for you.

How much does Balanzza cost? I went to several sites and the prices ranged between $17 and $25. Because Balanzza digital luggage scale is travel-friendly, easy to use, and cost is reasonable, we’re giving the Balanzza our Traveling Mamas On The Move Approved Seal of Approval

If you’re looking for a luggage scale, I certainly recommend Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale – avoid those extra airline fees today and forever.

My kids can only handle so many hours of movies and then they’re ready to “do something” and, unfortunately, running alongside the car (or plane) isn’t an option. I’ve been looking for new travel entertainment ideas to add to our books, Etch-a-Sketch and flashcard collection (especially with our pending four-day move up north). TravelKiddy approached us recently and asked us to take a look at their offerings (kids travel entertainment) – and guess what – fun stuff!

TravelKiddy is a fun activity kit loaded with all sorts of fun surprises for the road.

There are several several models and two age groups (ages 3-6, and 6 plus). Since my little ones are in the younger group we received the age appropriate pack – and let’s just say the kids felt like it’s an extra birthday (now to make them wait for our next trip!). The first thing I noticed was the high-quality tote.  It fits under the car seat, in my Camry’s back window, on the floor, even the seat back pockets. Then, I unzipped the pack and I’m pretty sure I started dancing around the kitchen. Now I don’t have to hit the store in search of busy-activities for the next trip. Our TravelKiddy is loaded with crayons, activity, coloring and doodle books, a Magnetic Blackboard, crafts, stickers, small toys, and more. For mom, the interior zipped pocket is loaded with a pack of tissues, Sani Hands Kids wet wipes, and bandages. (Yep, it’s a road trip party in a bag!) Prices start at $9.99 (for the PocketKiddy and go up to $44.99 for the Deluxe TravelKiddy).

• Save time - No more running around town at the last minute searching for activities.
• Reduce stress - Relax and enjoy the trip because the kids are entertained and happy.
• Save money - At least 50% less than purchasing the items separately.
• Plus,  you can order refills! Don’t forget to buy one for each child.
  

And there you have it…. The convenient TravelKiddy will keep the kids occupied on your next trip for hours and the best part is this kids’ travel entertainment will arrive at your doorstep, leaving you more time to shop for that cute vacation hat.

No more will we be oppressed by cheap turtle-shaped pools. We’ve had enough backyard camping and daily ‘movie excursions.’ The problem with staycations is simple: they suck. If you ask us, staycations are un-American. That’s right, we said it.

Demand the return of fun! Adventure and exploration are in our blood. Now is the time to take a real vacation – without breaking your budget. On LastMinuteTravel.com you can find great hotels in exciting destinations for prices so low you won’t believe it.

Escape Your Staycation, on us!

LastMinuteTravel.com wants to save six families from the anguish of their own backyards

• Become a fan of our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.
• Post a message in either place about how miserable your summer plans are. (On Twitter, tag it with #staycationssuck so we can spot it.)
• Each week, we’ll pick our favorite entry. The person who posted it will go on a vacation of their choice, and we’ll pay for it.

It’s that easy! And you can enter as many times as you like.

Be bold. Be brave. Be American. Declare your freedom from staycations!

What are you waiting for? Go enter!

Well, it is awesome and we hope your kids enjoy Seattle on CityPass. (That’s on my list of places to get back to).

For the rest of our Traveling Mamas readers, please come back, we’re always giving away fun stuff.

Service. My husband and two tots were kindly invited up for the weekend by Hidden Meadow Ranch and we knew immediately that we were somewhere special when we checked in and were offered homemade lemonade. From that moment on, we found the service and kindness of every employee to be impeccable, or as my husband described, “The service was first-rate every time.”

Sweet Accommodations. Our two-story rustic cabin was absolutely charming. We stayed in the Elkhorn (each cabin has a unique name and theme). It has a wood burning fireplace, a stocked (soda, water, and juice) mini-fridge, board games for the family, a master suite downstairs and loft bedroom upstairs. Even the shower/bath has a cowboy soaking tub.

Unplugged. For a truly unplugged experience, this is it. There isn’t a “guest office” temping you with the internet every time you walk by. In fact, it wasn’t until we left that I realized there weren’t TVs in the cabins. There is a TV in the Ranch House loft and rooms do have wireless internet but I didn’t feel the need to check email or look for the remote, none of us did, as we were all completely distracted by the fact we were in a log cabin in the mountains.

No worries. When we travel with the kids there is rarely such a thing as 100% relaxation. We’re always concerned the kids might wake up our hotel neighbors or are we’re on guard because we’re playing on the beach or by the pool, but this time was different. At Hidden Meadow Ranch we opened the back door and let the kids run around gathering treasures (pinecones, wildflowers, and rocks).

Relaxing Options. Speaking of relaxing, if you want to put your feet up, but don’t want to stay in the cabin, kick back in one of the many hammocks on the property (I did!) or hit the outdoor hot tub.

Kids’ Paradise. In the center of the ranch is a huge sprawl of grass with a bucket of balls, a large made-from-logs swing set and an amazingly huge log teeter-totter – even I became a kid again.

All Inclusive. I’m a huge fan of all inclusive properties for several reasons, but mainly, it’s just a simple way to vacation. You don’t have to dig into your wallet every meal and the staff gets to know your preferences (and the kids’). (FYI, alcohol, gratuities and tax are not included. You also have the opportunity to leave more than the 15% gratuity, which we did, and even single out special employees) There are two packages at Hidden Meadow Ranch, one includes activities and the other doesn’t, which brings me to…

Outdoor Adventure. You can be as active as you want at Hidden Meadow Ranch, but if action is your scene, activities include horseback riding, mountain biking, archery, fly fishing, hiking…and even leather crafting and woodworking (the kids left with awesome birdhouses).

Fantastic Food. I’m not exaggerating when I say the food here is superb. My husband and I agreed every dish at the Ranch House was the freshest we have ever had. The filet mignon melts in your mouth, the cream of corn was obviously fresh off the cob, the blueberry pancakes and the made-to-order omelets were divine. The menu changes with the season.

Thistle and Iris. Next to the playground is a pen where the ranch donkeys, Thistle and Iris, hang out.  They’re kind of like the ranch mascots, everyone loves them.

Wildlife. It’s hard to be in nature and not run into wildlife. We saw numerous bird species, including a blue jay, but the  absolute highlight of the trip was seeing the two local elk who came down to the pond at sunset.

Personal. Every evening during turn-down service, in addition to melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, the housekeepers leave a handwritten note or poem on each bed. Each morning the “Hidden Meadow Harold” is delivered, left on each cabin’s front doorknob. The Harold wishes a personalized “fond farewell” to the day’s departing guests as well as a schedule of the day’s events, activities, weather and meal times.

Other Fun Highlights. Saturday afternoon we sat outside and enjoyed a BBQ lunch. That evening, after dinner, we made  s’mores and sipped snifters out on the Ranch House deck with other guests. Sunday morning we were greeted with a hardy, and quite tasty, Cowboy Breakfast at the Fire Circle and took a carriage ride around the grounds with “Tom” the carriage horse.

Lovely Every Season. While our trip was over the summer (and the weather was absolutely perfect as well a great escape from our Tucson heat), Hidden Meadow Ranch is a year-round ranch which means you can head up this winter to play in the snow, enjoy the crisp autumn or colorful spring. Besides, I don’t think one visit to Hidden Meadow Ranch is enough. If you go, please let me know how much you love it – because believe  me, you will!

A very cool feature is that the unused tickets are transferable, which means you can pass leftover tickets on to friends or family.

CityPass has generously offered a Traveling Mamas reader a prize of two adult and two youth tickets for any CityPass big city destinations (a $200 value!). If you win you may choose from New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Hollywood, Houston, Atlanta, or Toronto Canada. (Sorry, Southern California is excluded).

How to win: Leave a comment below telling us which pass you would pick and why. One entry per person per day. The contest will run through July 21  (midnight PST) when we will randomly select the winner at random.org and announce him or her on Wednesday July 22. US residents only; one entry per person, please.

Good luck!

Zuzatz are a black, thick sole (super if you’re looking for some height) and various choices of interchangeable clips. A standard pair comes with a single base and two style straps, but you can purchase any of the ten packs of Style Straps or “uppers” which come in packs of three. The straps fasten into what look like holes in the shoes. Look closer, and you will notice there is (patented) QuickClick technology keeping the straps in place (very cool!).

I was lucky enough to be offered a  pair to review, with five Style Straps — and let me tell you, I think they are totally cool — especially for travel. Here is what I like about these shoes and  little advice if you decide to purchase Zuzata:

1. Ease of use. Who would have ever thought shoes would ever come with directions? But I advise you to read the directions before attempting to fasten and remove the Style Straps. At first it may seem tricky to fasten the straps into the sole, simply because they are such a unique contraption. But once you know what to listen for (the “right” click) and feel for (secure strap) they are a breeze to exchange. If you skip the directions, you might put them in upside down or think they’re fastened in and end up walking off the shoe and tripping.

2. Comfort. I always expect to take several days to break in new shoes, but Zuzatz didn’t take long to break in at all. After a day with the silver straps I forgot I was wearing new shoes.

3. Versatility.  I won’t lie, this is my favorite feature. When my family went to Lake  Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago, I threw a pair of Zuzatz in my suitcase and put the straps in the outside pocket . I instantly had five pairs of shoes to go with different outfits — easy breezy.  Another nice thing about Zuzatz is that they can be dressed up (rhinestones) or down (colorful  nylon).

If you’re looking to consolidate your shoes while traveling, I recommend you check out Zazatz — did I mention these are very cool travel shoes?

Congratulations, Lisa. You won FIVE Bunny Bucks coupons, that’s five cartons of ice cream or five boxes of novelty ice cream treats. Keep an eye out for an email with details regarding your yummy prize.

We select all of our giveaway winners via the random number generator random.org. If you didn’t win this time, keep an eye on TravelingMamas.com — we love to give stuff away, and we’ll likely hold another giveaway soon!

You might be wondering what ice cream has to do with travel, besides being the perfect snack along the journey (especially if you’re road-tripping in the hot summer months). Well, if you’re traveling through the Midwest with kids (or without!), you don’t want to miss Le Mars, Iowa, home to the Ice Cream Capital of the World Museum. More ice cream is made in Le Mars – home of Blue Bunny – than anywhere else in the world. Families can stop during a road trip, or take a side trip while visiting Sioux City (25 miles south of the museum) and learn all types of fun ice cream facts, play in an interactive game room and devour ice cream in the vintage 1920s-style ice cream parlor. (Cost to tour is minimal: $3 for adults and $1 for children age 5 to 12. The little ones are free.)

Until you can make it to the Ice Cream Capital of the World, let’s talk about how you can win ice cream during National Ice Cream Month.

We are giving away FIVE Bunny Bucks coupons, that’s five cartons of ice cream or five boxes of novelty ice cream treats (like ice cream sandwiches) to ONE Traveling Mamas reader. All you have to do is leave a comment about anything ice cream, such your favorite ice cream flavor, a childhood memory of eating ice cream cones, or a much-loved ice cream stand you uncovered while vacationing. The contest will run through July 7  when we will randomly select the winner and announce him or her on Wednesday July 8. US residents only; one entry per person, please. Want to win even more? Head on over to Travels With Children to enter to win the Ice Cream Capital of the World trip package!

Good luck and Happy National Ice Cream Month!