Low Cost Events This Weekend!

     Hello, hello!!  My post is a little late today, but we have been lazy this morning.  We spent a great day hiking in Sedona yesterday with our friends.  We hiked about two miles, climbing over rocks, under trees, along paths, passing small children from adult to adult up and down slippery hills.  I have to say, this was probably the most fun day we have had in a long time.  No tv's, no cell phones, no computers, just laughing and squealing and quiet!  It made me remember that some of the best outings are free.  Well, half a tank of gas, so not free, but for a whole day of family fun, not too bad!!



     There are two great low cost things to do this weekend here in Arizona.  The first is Luke Days at Luke Air Force Base.  This event only happens every two years, the base opens to the public and has free admission for all the fun.  The only cost you will incur is parking, which will be around $10.  This year, Luke is celebrating "70 Years of Thunder".  There will be more than two dozen military aircrafts on display and demonstrations by the Thunderbirds and the Army's acrobatic parachute team, the Golden Knights.  The event is Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  You can bring chairs and unopened plastic bottles of water.  No pets or coolers are permited!  Don't forget your sunscreen.  The website is luke.af.mil.
     The second activity is two hours outside of Phoenix at Tonto National Monument.  This site has two large Salado cliff dwellings that were constructed in the 1200's.  There are two dwellings an upper and lower, the 19-room lower dwelling is always open, but the upper 40-room dwelling is usually only available for ranger-led tours.  This weekend, both will be open to the public.  There is no admission fee and there will be specialists from the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center with several native birds on exhibit, as well as other demonstrations of prehistoric skills.  The upper ruin will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  You should bring water, comfortable shoes and sunscreen!  More info can be found at nps.gov/tont/index.htm.
    As for me and my family, our adventure in Sedona is propelling us toward Tonto, but this time, I will plan ahead and pack food for our lunch outdoors!  Your challenge today...wherever you are, find something to do close to home that won't cost alot of money, but will make great pictures and tons of family fun!!