Road Trips

Thursday, March 13, 2025
Kingman, Arizona – Tucson, Arizona

Have you ever had those days where everything seems to happen at once? Well, buckle up, because that was my Thursday, March 13th. It started before the sun even thought about rising, and it ended with desert critters. Here’s my trek from Kingman to Tucson for Travel Con 2025 with a wrap-up at the Tucson Living Desert Museum.

Website Down! Early Morning Client Chaos

The day kicked off around 7:30 AM with a client emergency – their website was down. Talk about a wake-up call! After troubleshooting that, I had to wrangle with a shipping portal issue for another client and print a label. It’s all part of the fun, right? Being adaptable is a must in this world.

Fueling Up: Biscuits, Gravy, and Road Snacks

Next, it was time for some much-needed fuel. The Holiday Inn Express breakfast buffet was calling my name! They had a good spread: biscuits and gravy, cheese and Spanish omelets, bacon, sausage, yogurt, and pancakes. Oh, and of course, orange juice! Not kind to my diabetes, but whatever. I made sure to snag some snacks for the long drive ahead. You know, the essentials.

Blogging Interrupted: Lag Strikes Again

Back in the room, I tried to get some blog work done. But the internet lag was real. Seriously laggy. I decided to throw in the towel and tackle it later from the Tucson hotel. Sometimes you’ve just got to roll with the punches.

On the Road Again: Kingman to… Cold Rain?!

Finally, I hit the road, leaving Kingman behind and heading south to Tucson. I was so ready to see some desert scenery. But first, I had to deal with the weather. It was cold, like really cold, and pouring rain. The temperature was hovering around 49°F, but it felt colder. I left the Atmospheric River in Washington hoping for t-shirt and shorts weather in Arizona. Looks like the weather followed me—a long and exhausting 4.5-hour drive.

Gas Prices and Desert Dreams

The Gas prices were up quite a bit from the below $3 in Nevada. Most stations were charging over $3.60 a gallon. I finally found a Terribles (ironic name, right?) with gas at $2.95. Not terrible, I guess. Getting closer to what I achieved in Nevada.

I jumped onto Highway 93 South towards Phoenix, with plans to connect to I-10 East towards Tucson. As I drove, I started seeing cacti in the fields! Yes! I knew I was getting closer to the southern Arizona landscape I love.

Starbucks and a Tiny Water Cup

A little later, I needed a pick-me-up, so I stopped at Starbucks. I ordered a Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappucino and a banana loaf. Perfect road trip fuel. But here’s where things got a little weird. I ordered a Trenta ice water (you know, the big one?), and they gave me this tiny cup labeled “Trente.” My Trenta pronunciation needs work. It was pretty funny, though.

Traffic Woes: Phoenix to Tucson

The drive from Phoenix to Tucson was rough. The wind and traffic were incredibly obnoxious. And I thought Seattle traffic was bad! Seriously, it was bumper-to-bumper and the wind was relentless. It was up to 50 mph winds or greater.

Tucson at Last: Comfort Inn and Conference Prep

I finally made it to Tucson after a pretty draining drive. Downpours, cold rain from Kingman to Phoenix, and then heavy winds and dust storms from Phoenix to Tucson. I even saw a car that had been blown off the road. A reminder to always drive carefully, especially in bad weather.

First thing, I checked into the Comfort Inn, unpacked, and started reorganizing for the four days ahead. It was time to get ready for TravelCon 2025!

Living Desert Museum: An Hour of Desert Delights

TravelCon gave us a free pass to the Living Desert Museum for today or Monday. I only had about an hour to spare, but I wasn’t going to pass that up! I had to stop for gas on the way, so I got there around 4:00 PM, and it closed at 5:00 PM.

I didn’t get to see the aquatic or Stingray section or the bird exhibits, but I did see rocks, minerals, lizards, and other amazing animals. It was a whirlwind tour, so I took lots of photos! I’ll share those soon, I promise.

Wind-Down Time: Strawberries, Roblox, and More Blogs

Back at the hotel, I was too tired to join any of the groups going out for dinner. So, I made a little dinner of strawberries with whipped cream, soup, and crackers. A weird combo, I know, but it hit the spot.

I video called Cian and we played Strongest Battlegrounds on Roblox. Then, I squeezed in some more blog work and client stuff. Finally, I spent some time preparing for the conference. It was a long day, and I was ready for some sleep.

Reflecting on the Journey

From client emergencies to crazy weather and a whirlwind museum visit, this road trip had it all. But I made it to Tucson, ready for TravelCon 2025. Sometimes the journey is just as memorable as the destination, right? Let’s hope not. I’m looking for more of a relaxing slower-paced trip ahead.