As the temperatures begin to drop in Arizona, the thrills and chills of Halloween spookiness begin to creep in. One of the most fascinating, and entertaining, aspects of Arizona is the legendary prevalence of its ghost stories. As the heart of the Wild West, Arizona has had a history of violence, tragedy and mayhem from […]
Riding the Rails in Arizona
There is something special about trains. Their size, power and the ability to take us from one destination to another, sometimes through impassable wilderness, is awe-inspiring. Folks settled in Arizona by riding the rails and traveling in carriages and on horseback. In keeping with that spirit, there many opportunities to take a train ride through […]
Arizona Camping with Kids
Summer is here and there is no time like the present to start planning outdoor activities and trips with your youngsters. One new activity our family plans to tackle this year is camping. We are avid hikers and love to find fun adventures around Arizona, both indoors and outdoors. But we have yet to take […]
Route 66: Traveling the Mother Road in Arizona
{Published in the April 2018 issue of the Deer Valley Times and the North Tatum Times} Route 66. The Mother Road. The Great American Highway. No matter what name you give it, U.S. Route 66 is a true part of historic Americana and a great way to see some of the most delightful destinations in the […]
Butterflies and Wildflowers – Spring Blooms in the Sonoran Desert
When spring bursts to life in the Sonoran Desert, it doesn’t hold back. Mother Nature paints with every color available in her palette to bring to life an abundance of wildflowers and butterflies throughout the landscape. Many of these places can only be found by pulling on your hiking shoes and hitting the trail. But […]
Take a Kid Fishing! Great Information for Fishing in Arizona
[Published in the February 2018 edition of the Deer Valley Times} You’ve heard the old adage, “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for life.” Well, it’s a great time of year in Arizona to take your kids out to teach them to […]
Ladybug’s Favorite Hiking Spots in Phoenix for Kids
[Published in the January 2018 edition of the Deer Valley Times} Phoenix is well known for its fantastic hiking trails. There are over 200 miles of trails on more than 41,000 acres in the City of Phoenix park system. Maricopa County has 10 regional parks with over 120,000 acres of open space and hundreds of miles […]
The Zoo Review! The Five Best Zoos and Wildlife Parks in Arizona
[Published in the November 2017 edition of the North Tatum Times} One of our favorite things to do as a family when the weather cools off is to visit the zoo. Any zoo. Every zoo. It’s a great way to get outside, enjoy the weather and see nature and wildlife in action. Arizona has some outstanding […]
Hiking in the Desert with Kids
[Published in the November 2017 edition of the Deer Valley Times} As Arizonans, we hike mainly in the desert. This presents unique challenges for adults, especially in the summer months. It is critical to be well prepared to make the hike enjoyable and safe for kids before you go. There are many great articles about hiking […]