Ach... the devout observance of all Scots men and women (including Scots-at-heart)... Golf! — Tucson's leading growth industry. April is a great time to get out the clubs and make sure they hae not succumbed to the ravages of winter. It's an opportunity to get a head start on all your snow-bound, winter-encrusted golf partners in the distant, cold and gray lands of the north.

Guests of the hotel pay city resident greens fees. ($20 per person, or $60 for a foursome arranged in advance.) The course rents clubs, but you must bring your own shoes. (And no high heels!) If you wish to use your own clubs, consider shipping them ahead instead of bringing them on your flight. Arrangements for receiving pre-shipped items are being worked out as part of our planning process.

Play a genuine LPGA certified tournament course! Pretend you are a tournament champion... in fact, indulge the fantasy a bit further and play in our very own charity tournament. Beginning on Monday, March 31, foursomes may enter their rounds for a chance to win a 50/50 pot. Each round to be scored must be entered before teeing off. The winning foursome will walk away with half the entry fee — with the rest going to a local shelter program that provides homeless and/or domestic violence services to transgender clients.

Scottsdale Fashion Square
Join Tucson's Stephanie Saks on Tuesday for an exciting trip to one of Phoenix' most exclusive mercados, the fashionable, chic and posh (for all us simple cowgirls, those are fancy terms for expensive) Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Nordstrom, one of Stephanie's favorite shops, is very T-friendly, has a T-girl sales person, and has an unrivaled shoe selection for the statuesque. They have an enticing selection of stylish, comfortable, chic and downright great shoes in size 13! For those with more limited budgets, come along for the outing and enjoy our specially-negotiated window-shopper's discount.

La Encantada and Sunset Drive Boutiques
Wednesday, we'll be visiting Tucson's most exclusive shoppers paradise, the open-air La Encantada, home to some of the top names in boutiques and haute couture. An April day spent in this local retail therapist's dream will lighten the heaviest check book and relax the soul beyond belief. This trip will be led, again, by our irrepressible fashionista, Stephanie.
     This little tour will also take in some of the Southwest's finest independent boutiques and designer shoppes in the foot hills of the gorgeous Santa Catalina Mountains, with a truly wondrous view of Tucson. After this trip, many of you will be ready to sell your homes and move to Tucson.

Tucson Mall and Park Place Mall
For those desiring their retail therapy in somewhat less exclusive territory, we have a trip to Tucson's two major shopping malls — with their large selection of stores, shops, and eateries including Macy's, Dillard's, J C Penney's, and Lane Bryant.

Thrift Shopping
For those who like shopping's equivalent to extreme sports, those truly adventurous bargain hunters and shopping thrill seekers whose hunter-killer instinct is not assuaged by a 15% or 20% sale or discount, those indomitable shoppers ever in search of the ultimate thrill, those seeking the truly exhilarating score, Ann Jones will lead a foraging expedition to the crème de la crème of Tucson's thrift and consignment stores. Whether you are looking for cowgirl chic for Thursday's evening on the town, old western style, or a five-dollar Dior, this will be a fun excursion for the free spirit and fashion adventurer.

This unique and spell-binding living microcosm of the Sonoran desert is a must see for anyone who loves the desert…and after about 15 minutes that will be you. From their website:

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place! Exhibits re-create the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region so realistically you find yourself eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, and more. Within the Museum grounds, you will see more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants. There are almost 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert.

For those hoping to truly experience the Southwest as the earliest Europeans to come here did, this is a must. Bobbi Houston runs a small riding stable that allows you to travel back to a simpler time and experience the desert from the truly breath-taking perspective of the saddle.
     If you walk the desert, you sense the heart of nature, yet you miss most of its ethereal beauty because your eyes are just below the tops of much of the flora, and you are busy watching your step. But, from the back of the original all-terrain transportation, a sure-footed horse, you have plenty of time to drink with your eyes of the unique, captivating, and romantic vistas offered by the desert in springtime.
     There will be opportunities for this outing both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, followed by afternoons in downtown Tucson, or relaxing (in the sun!) beside the hotel pool. As has oft been written, there is nothing quite so good for the insides of a person as the outside of a horse.

Howl At The Moon, a primarily Country Western locale that is a favorite of the GLBT community (and frequently has performances by our very own TMI); El Parador, a friendly Mexican Restaurant and dance club with Latin Dance Lessons on Friday nights; or The Biz, a lesbian-owned dance club that is very T-friendly and is patronized by a very inclusive clientele.