Phoenix, AZ

woo HOO! Who needs the Salt River tube rides when there’s Big Surf and Waterworld that are going to be opening this Saturday for the season. This is literally cool for the family do, especially starting on a weekend holiday.

Tempe’s Big Surf website at http://tempe.golfland.com/ for prices, due to height requirements. There are group packages and season passes, so go check it out or call 480.947.2477.

Waterworld Safari takes you on an African-themed adventure located 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road. Again, the prices vary due to height requirements, however season passes, events, arcade, rentals, and group packages are available.

Big Surf, Waterworld, Phoenix, Tempe, Arizona

Queen Creek’s Schnepf Farms is inviting the public to pick peaches off its trees until they’re bare. The crop is reported to be at 70 percent and offering six different kinds to choose from. The only cost is $2 a pound. If you’re wanting to give this a go but are worried about getting up on a ladder to get your peaches, not to worry! The trees are right to the ground so there isn’t any need for ladders. You have a choice to place your juicy fruit in bags or boxes, which are provided by the farm. Some great things to keep in mind should you have a thing for peach-picking right now: Arizona peaches take a few days to ripen yet easy to freeze for later.

The farm is located at 24810 South Rittenhouse Road out in Queen Creek and this Saturday and Sunday are the last days this experience is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call 480.987.3100 for more information, or go to schnepffarms.com.

Queen Creek, Arizona, Schnepf Farms, peaches

It was Hubby’s birthday over the weekend, and we were ecstatic to realize there was a 2-for-1 being offered in the mail by the Arizona School of Massage Therapy. Since we had checked out this offer last year, we knew how much of a treat it would be!

For $12.50 each, we received an hour-long massage of our choice. (I have experienced the full body massage and reflexology. I highly recommend both of these ways to anybody need stress relief.) We were asked, when we paid, if we preferred a male (masseur) or female (masseuse) practioner, and we each chose a masseuse. We waited for about a half hour in the school’s cafeteria until our names were called.

My masseuse introduced herself and asked a few standard questions for the session. I told her what stress I had and concerns and she offered reflexology. I believe everyone is given the choice to receive a massage still clothed. This time, I only needed to take off my rings, socks and shoes. I had my lower legs, arms, head and neck worked on, and I do mean “worked.” The young lady knew her stuff, and most certainly should graduate in the top of her class, in my book. After my session, I felt like I could walk in the clouds, not only because my body was so energized, I was so relaxed in mind as well.

I talked with the receptionist after our sessions to understand that each weekend the school offers these sessions to the public at the Phoenix and Tempe campuses, regularly $25 per person. The 2-for-1 deals are offered about every three months, when each class is set to graduate. These weekends are required of the students before they receive their diplomas. Another thing to keep in mind is to get to these sessions early. Granted, you may have to stand in line at the beginning, but you get in quickly once the doors open. I suggest BYOC: Bring your own chair for the line, if you cannot stand for longer than five minutes.

Hubby and I plan to take advantage of these sessions many more times this year.

To ASMT: thank you for offering these weekends!

Arizona School of Massage Therapy, Phoenix, Tempe