Jacuzzi

Cancun and Mother Nature are at war again.

Mexico spent $19 million to replace beaches washed away by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, but erosion has shrunk Cancun's sandy playground to the point where waves at high tide lap against some hotel patios.

To bring tourists pouring back after Hurricane Wilma, the ocean floor was dredged to rebuild eight miles of beach, nearly double their pre-hurricane size, and hotels were refurbished.

Just a year after the grand refurbishment was completed, the beaches have shrunk again, from 100 feet to less than 70 feet at mid-tide in the tourist zone, and swimmers are forced to clamber down 3-foot drops in the sand level to reach the water.

Most sections of beach remain about as wide as before the hurricane hit, although some are less _ barely 30 feet wide _ and the sea is relentlessly munching away at what's left, said biologist Alfredo Arellano, Yucatan director for the government's Commission for Natural Protected Areas.

Greeley's newest hotel to have 'soft opening' this weekend

Greeley's newest hotel will open this weekend at half price to prepare for its official opening on Tuesday.

The Hampton Inn and Suites, owned and built by Spirit Hospitality out of Fort Collins, has 74 rooms, conference space for up to 50 people and an indoor pool, hot tubs and a fitness center. Only 30 rooms will be available to use in this 'soft opening.'

"It's just an opportunity for us to break in the product and get the staff comfortable," said Rob Uehran, co-owner of Spirit Hospitality. Room prices this weekend range from $50-$65 a night.

The company built the $3 million hotel just west 23rd Avenue north of Kmart off of U.S. 34 Bypass, where five other hotels and motels are located.

"Everyone for a long time has been inclined to head to that part of town if they're looking for overnight accommodations," Uehran said.

What Do Moms Really Want for Mother's Day?

To help mothers open up about their true feelings for their special day, SHOP.COM, the site where women can shop thousands of brands using OneCart™ and one account, today launched its national "What Do Mothers Really Want for Mother's Day?" Quiz asking mothers who shop online what would make them most happy this year. Located at www,shop.com/momquiz, the quick and easy multiple choice answer quiz asks women a range of questions -- from whether they would spend their "ideal" day lying on the beach with an iPod and having their feet massaged by a handsome silent manservant to what guilty pleasures (i.e., junk food) they blame on their children and what they would most like to see when they open their eyes on Mother's day morning. .