Reflections at Big Bend

When I arrived at the dome place the guy greeting me only spoke Spanish which at first my reaction was, "I don't speak Spanish," but then I realized I know a little bit of Spanish and I could tell him the number of the pod I was staying in at least. He confirmed the number with me and then basically signaled for me to load up my stuff into the UTV and we were on our way. It was pretty hot there when I arrived, I think about 91°, so walking around and hiking up and down the hill to explore the property, as the listing suggested, didn't sound super appealing. I was already enough hot enough and tired enough that sitting in a cold dome with nothing to do but playing my phones and listen to audiobooks etc. seemed like a really nice idea. There's something really magical about having literally no obligations. Nothing to do. I had my dinner ready for later. I had plenty of water and drinks. I had snacks. I'd use the restroom and I had no chores and nothing to take care of while I was in the dome. I considered what this magical feeling was and how I could potentially recreate it without spending $300 a night driving a huge distance to a dome. I think the problem is that when I'm at home, there's always things in my view reminding me of what I could be doing; the overwhelming list of chores and to do's is a burden on me and it's not a burden when away and and being fully taken care of, essentially in a hotel. Maybe that's why I like travel so much, especially cruises when everything is taken care of for you. You don't have to feel the weight of obligations or what you're ignoring. I love planning trips, and often when it's time for the trip to actually happen, it's been so long since I planned it that I don't actually know what's happening the next day or even the next hour. But I just follow along the itinerary mindlessly and I know that my itinerary is taking care of me.

Big Bend, for its part, was better than I expected. The campground was easy to get to and easily navigable. I enjoyed some of the hiking and the nature trails and I saw all sorts of different animals, including the coyote that visited me in the morning at my campsite. I hadn't realized that there were hot springs that we could actually bathe in, so I didn't bring my bathing suit and I sort of regretted that, except that actually it was so hot out, I'm not sure that I would have enjoyed soaking in a hot spring. Some people were getting into the river probably to cool off although that was ill advised. I had to laugh at the Mexicans technically in Mexico across the river selling burritos and tamales to people willing to wade across the river (and thus, across the country border) to pay them $10 for a little tray. The camping was good, I absolutely loved the restaurant that I went to for lunch at the lodge. I kind of wish I had stayed at that lodge, maybe next time. The alien-themed Space Domes were pretty much exactly as advertised, with the exception that I was terribly disappointed to learn that I could not see the stars, not even a single bright star, through my dome from inside on my bed. Even though there was a great view stepping outside. Outside, I had a nice comfy little couch there, and I set up my tripod and I took some spectacular pictures. The stargazing was absolutely amazing. But not being able to see that in the dome kind of took away from the whole point of the dome. Then there are the bugs. So many bugs. I don't know how many bites I have. It's got to be in the double digits. And that was with the Australian grade bug spray. I'm surprised it seems like the bugs even bit me through layers of clothing. They're vicious out here. The Space Cowboys place mentioned that Big Ben is the national park with the most bugs. I believe it! I can't believe it's early November and it's still so freaking hot here. Although when I drove up to that lodge for lunch at the restaurant it got down to about 60° I think. Amazing what elevation change can do.

All this has me thinking again about what my ideal house would be. I still think I need some sort of a bomb shelter or something in the basement to run away from whatever calamity could happen; one with lots of stores of those food packets that will last forever and water. And I want it to be somewhat comfortable so that if I needed to be there I actually would feel at home. In fact, it might be something that I do a little staycation in once a year just to make sure the supplies are all good and freshen up the water supply or something like that. Be a fun little retreat. Kind of like the dome has been for me here. More and more I think I want a walking track or running track made out of that recycled tire rubber. Something soft but firm that I can walk and run on. Although it would be great if it had a top layer that would not stain my feet so that I could walk barefoot because, you know, I hate putting on shoes and socks.

Two of the features that I really enjoyed in the dome were the light effects. In one case, there were three pretty simplistic pendant lights that were essentially the whole dome's lights and they were on a slow revolving color scheme so they would shift through the colors of the rainbow. I never thought that I would like that until now, but I really enjoyed that. The other thing was a little space cowboy, to match the theme of the place, that would project lasers and different options would project rotating galactic images. The combination of the two made for all sorts of fun colors, but as the night wore on I turned off the pendant lights and just left the galaxy lights running all night. It's a little silly and hokey but you know what, it went with the theme and I quite enjoyed it. Not sure that I would get something like that for my home, but definitely in the theme and mindset of the Space Dome it was so fitting and didn't seem silly at all.

I would say that the area around the Rio Grande campground, although it had some great wildlife chances, was pretty lackluster in scenery. Even where I was supposed to see the Rio Grande it didn't look very grande at all. Going up into the mountains towards the lodge where I went for lunch, that had a little bit more grandeur. It felt a little bit like Yosemite in the way that the monolithic mounds just soared above you with a breathtaking sheer, one of those things that pictures just don't do justice. You have to come and see it. All the more reason I kind of wish I had stayed at that lodge. But lunch with a view was great and truly that food at the lodge was absolutely amazing. I was so excited to have my leftovers for dinner. Kind of wish I had gotten the dessert also but I was stuffed at the time.

Driving down to Big Bend has given me lots of reasons why I dislike Texas. You can tell that the heat is a big problem because people have RVs or lived in buses that have a structure built over the top of them basically to capture the sun so that it's not hitting directly the exterior of their vehicle. One part felt like I was driving through Mexico. It was that poor feeling. Other than that, there's a lot of flatness, and it wasn't really pretty. There were some interesting attempts at tourist traps along the way, nothing that I would actually want to stop at, though. There is one place that looks like a freaking castle in the middle of nowhere, piqued my interest a little bit. I'll have to look more into that one. But overall, even as I was driving through really distant rural areas, I checked Zillow and the house prices weren't that much cheaper. So it seems that there's no benefit in being out in the middle of nowhere. I don't think I've ever seen so much deer roadkill than I have on this drive.

I had to laugh as I was drawing the comparisons between Australia and out here. Not that this is anything like the Australia that I've experienced necessarily, but it was described in the book I was listening to called "In a Sunburned Country." The author is an American travel writer who decided to cross Australia on

land versus the way the most Australians do which would be flying from city to city. So he was talking about these long stretches of boring landscape and nothing to see or do and the occasional very, very old dated structures or the old windmills like from the 1950s. And as he's describing these things I'm seeing them to the left and right of me as I'm driving. So I guess a lot of Texas feels like 1950s America, as does Australia. 

And a quick update if you are following my love story with Sam from Australia, we've completely reconciled as far as I can tell and Sam is super excited to see me when I go out there at the end of December, and we're already planning our next excursions beyond that. I'm so happy that we're back to normal. I think he just needed a little bit of time to process a few things, but we're happier than ever and I honestly don't want to date anyone else.

Amboy Crater

Just three or four hours east of the Los Angeles area is a quiet dark sky site great for car camping overnight, to view meteor showers or just general stargazing, as well as a unique and uncrowded hike into and/or around a volcanic crater.

Note: I hiked here alone, and it is NOT recommended to hike alone. I am an experienced hiker and was equipped with two means of communicating and several survival items as well as plenty of water and snacks. I do not recommend hiking alone.

I first went with my friend Nadine in October 2023 and we watched the Orionids. It was very hot when we arrived, but cooled down with the sunset and we were comfortable to slightly chilly as we sat and watched fireballs streak across the sky. The information online had mixed messages as to whether it was okay to car camp at the primary trailhead parking lot, but that's what we did and it seemed fine. There was also a man in a small RV and a couple who rolled in late and set up camp, so we weren't alone. I preferred camping there to the overflow parking lot, which the online info consistently says is ok, because there were toilets at the main parking lot. No running water, though, so be sure to always have hand sani or wipes for bathroom breaks. 

 

In the morning, I was hoping to do some hiking but Nadine wasn't up for it. So I told her I'd just go a little ways and come back, not wanting to leave her in the heat with nothing to do for too long. Since I could see that nobody had left their vehicles yet in the parking lot, it occurred to me that I was quite totally alone on the hike. I'm used to hiking on trails where there are definitely people ahead and behind me, and people coming back would be passing me. The eerie feeling of loneliness and the peril of hiking alone was exhilarating and creepy. I never really felt in danger, with two cell phones on different carriers (personal and work) and knowing Nadine was at the trailhead - certainly if something happened to me I could either contact her or she would eventually come out after me if I didn't return. Still, it was neat to feel like I was the only one on the trail. Of course, I had no idea if people had started after me, and sure enough, I did see people as I returned. Even though it was pleasant when I left the trailhead, it got hotter quickly and I made it only about 3/4 of a mile before turning back, and it got very hot by the time I returned. 

 

Since then, I'd been wanting to return when the weather was nicer to do the full hike. I got the chance a couple days ago (camping on Jan 5 and hiking the morning of Jan 6) - purposefully planning it when the moon was minimal and also would rise late in hopes of also seeing the Milky Way as I set up camp and relaxed under the stars. It wasn't as spectacular as the best Milky Way pictures, but sure enough I did see it faintly, and I got a couple decent pictures with my cell phone of Orion's Belt and other stars. 

Because it was cooler, I didn't do my full hatch-tent setup to let the outside air into my car. Instead, I slept in it fully enclosed, but with a view out the top through my sunroof. I was mostly comfortable until about 3 or 4 am when I started to get very cold, and I turned my car on temporarily to heat the cabin a bit. I woke up around 7 am as the sun was rising, and while it was still quite chilly, it was so beautiful I was ready to get going. I had a small, quick breakfast in my camping chair enjoying the view but sitting still was making me too cold, so I cut it short in favor of starting the hike. It was 40° when I started, and I layered two sweatshirts over my tank top, knowing that I'd like remove one or both sweatshirts as I hiked, and it was easier to wrap them around my waist than deal with a bulky jacket. 

The hike to the crater is very easy, with a bench at about half a mile (0.47 mi by my tracker) and another "last chance" bench at the end of the easy part, 1.1 miles from the trailhead. Most of the terrain is packed dirt and sand with sporadic lava rocks, but there are also patches of very loose sand and dirt, much like walking on the beach. There is next to nothing as far as elevation change. There is also zero shade, so be prepared to be blasted by the sun. If you're still a Pokemon GO player like me, there are Pokemon on the trail and a stop at the last chance bench!

After the second bench, the hike gets exciting as you wind your way up onto the side of the crater and up and over into it. A half mile past the bench, at 1.6 miles from the trailhead, is a three-pronged fork at which you can go straight to basically head directly into the middle of the crater, or go left or right which will take you in a loop around the rim of the crater to the highest point just under 1000 feet. The Crater Trail taking you into the center is much more moderate and less dangerous, and affords a spectacular 360 view at a saddle point. If you turned around and went back from there, I'd say you thoroughly did the hike and saw what there is to see.

For more advanced hikers with confidence in their ankle strength, the Crater Rim Loop offers a steep change in elevation and unobstructed views from the top. I ended up taking the Crater Trail first and then continuing to the other side of the meteor, making my way up to the Crater Rim Loop. At the top, I had trouble deciding which way to turn, but ultimately turned right to hit the highest peak of the hike. I had to be very careful with my foot placement and took my time both going up and down, while along the rim it was fairly easy going. On the way down, I stopped for a snack to recharge and ensure I had enough energy and strength not to slip, especially since I was by myself. 

 

 

On my way down, I finally saw other people on the trail for the first time. Many of them did not have water. Please, people, do NOT go hiking in the desert without water!! Even in the winter, it is very dry and you need to stay hydrated. After making my way down from the crater rim, it was easy going headed back on the same and only trail back to the parking lot. It was about 50° by then so I stripped down to my tank top and had both sweatshirts around my waist - stylish, I know! With the very light breeze, it was perfect hiking weather. I really enjoyed myself but was pretty beat when I finally got back to my car. Luckily, I didn't have much to pack up so I was able to use the bathroom once more and then get on the road home. (And I got home just in time to do Pokemon Go Community Day on my couch - LOL!)

It was a great first adventure for the new year! I nearly procrastinated on going, but so glad I pushed myself to do it. It was just an evening and morning - hardly a big time investment relative to the joy and peace I got from it.

Recommendations for Amboy Crater

• Set up camp just before sunset and enjoy the stars
• Bring a headlamp as it is very dark and you'll especially want your hands free when going to the bathroom
• Bring hand sani or wipes for using the bathroom
• The bugs (specifically, tiny, little flies) are incessant at night - you may want to bring bug spray and/or a face net and have weather-appropriate clothes that cover as much as possible
• Bring good hiking shoes with ankle support - lots of opportunities to twist an ankle on the hike
• Bring a hat, sun screen, and lots of water! At least 2 liters of water per person is recommended. Even in the winter, the desert is dry and you need to replace the water you're losing as you hike.
• Give yourself a few hours to hike it before sunset - you don't want to be caught out there in the dark!

Communing with Nature

When you think of the ultra rich and lavish lifestyles a lot of wealth can afford, you probably don't conjure up images of hiking through rolling hills of flowers or camping in the stark desert. Yet I am going to argue here that living your best life and buying your way to happiness must include elements of nature. 

An obvious feature of getting outdoors is that it is physically good for you in different ways. Most often, you'll have some kind of workout if you're spending any significant time outdoors - whether that be walking, running, hiking, swimming, climbing, biking, etc. Then there is the fresh air - the further away from society you are, the better. I especially love ocean air; I feel like I can breathe best on the beach. Being in the sun means you're getting a dose of Vitamin D - just balance that with sun block so you don't get burned and increase risk of skin cancer. 

Getting out into beautiful landscapes and appreciating the common and uncommon animals and plants around me is one way I feel I can stay grounded in the bigger picture of things. Work can be stressful, relationships with family and friends can be dramatic, personal decisions can wear us down, technology can burn us out. When I'm in nature, the natural beauty and the imperfections make all those things seem small. Being a little outdoorsy from time to time provides balance. 

How do I buy my way into nature? There are several ways. For one, I have a bunch of camping gear that borders into glamping, but is mobile, which I'll talk about shortly. One of my favorite ways of communing with nature is in my (or any) outdoor hot tub (or hot spring) with a nice view of nature. Soaking in a hot tub or hot spring is one of the few exceptions to the premise that most outdoor activities involve exercise, but it has its own benefits in soothing sore muscles. Additionally, travel allows exposure to different regions, different landscapes and more dynamic nature-oriented activities, and of course, travel is rarely cheap - especially if going long distances. Finally, I saved up several thousands of dollars and purchased land, and that is a great way to invest in seeking out nature. One other thought, which I have not yet executed myself, is to sponsor or donate to charitable organizations which support nature preservation - which may get you invites into exclusive hikes, etc. I suppose you could say I've donated my time to such a cause, which did get my exclusive invites - I volunteered as a docent for the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. I enjoyed that because the job duties encouraged me to learn about the flowers and the various plants and animals, and I would typically hike 4.5 to 5.5 miles once or twice a week on my trail watch shift. 

My camping setup is a recent set of purchases with which I'm quite happy. It started when I bought my first SUV. Through the magic of Amazon, I was able to find an air mattress that fits snuggly in the back of the SUV when the seats are folded down flat, a two-person sleeping bag rated down to 32 degrees, and a one-sided tent that goes over the hatch door and around the back of the vehicle to basically turn the SUV into a tent, with bug guard and a shade and everything. That's the basic setup, but of course I didn't stop there. I found magnetic bug screens so I can open my moon roof and/or windows, and have more moving air while minimizing exposure to bugs (because - uck! I hate bugs, and I am a little bit of a princess even while camping). I found that the tent enclosure didn't perfect seal around all the edges so I bought some pretty strong magnets (with hooks in case we want to tie things to them) and use those to secure it to the vehicle better. I found a portable toilet which can be collapsed and tucked under the floorboards of my SUV when not in use, but fully expanded it has a toilet paper holder and everything. Cooling towels proved to be useful when camping in the desert heat, and a small electric lantern / power bank combo with a hook is a great accessory to hang from the handles in the SUV. Camping chairs and coolers are a must if you're hanging around for an extended stay. I don't have the cooking gear (yet) but the people I camp with often bring a portable camping stove of some sort - I'm perfectly happy eating protein bars and cold leftovers and whatnot unless someone else is cooking. 

When I go, I usually set up my air mattress before I leave (although the inflator plugs into the car so it can be done even in the middle of nowhere with ease), and then pile things on top of it or leave them under the floor boards until I need them. I think it's also worth mentioning, unrelated to actual camping trips, that sometimes I have my air mattress set up for late nights - I like to go swing dancing about an hour away from where I live, and I am prone to falling asleep behind the wheel. So now, if I'm driving home and start to get drowsy, I'll find a nice spot to pull in for a bit, and take a nap for a couple hours in the back until I'm ready to drive again. Someday, I'll be happy to invest in a fully self-driving car and this won't be an issue, but until that day…

The first (and currently, only) piece of land that I bought is in the Mojave desert, about 30 minutes north of where I live. I had scoped out inexpensive multi-acre properties online and then spent one Saturday visiting my top 5 or so. I fell in love with the Mojave property, because it backed up to a gorgeous little mountain range, had a view looking down at the city, but was far enough removed from the city that it was just the first level of light pollution up from being a completely dark-sky site. This meant that I could do some stargazing from the property. And stargazing I did! Once I purchased the property outright with cash, I camped up there one night in search of the green meteor that was in the news. I was so excited when I finally found it! I've camped up there a couple other times for meteor showers. 

I've also gone camping a couple times so far with my setup elsewhere. My friend and I went to Isabelle Lake over the Fourth of July weekend, and while we had camp site with a creek which we spent most of the time in, it proved to just be too hot for an extended stay, and we left early the first morning. 

We drove out to Amboy Crater to see some meteor showers and do some light hiking, and we were thrilled to have a fantastic view of dozens of meteors and a few pretty good fireballs streaking across the sky. There were only a couple other parties camping there that weekend, and so when I went for a hike that morning, I came to a slightly disturbing realization. Since none of the other parties in the parking lot where we had set up camp had gone hiking, and no new comers had pulled into the parking lot prior to my departing for my hike, I realized I was the first, and possibly only, person on the trail that morning. Often, when we hike, there is likely someone ahead of us and we'll pass people on their way back as we head into the hike. But there I was, sure that there was nobody ahead of me, nobody who would be passing me as they headed back, and I was completely out of eyeshot from the observation deck. Should something happen to me, I mean obviously my friend would come looking for me after a long while, but I literally had nobody to help me immediately. I did have my phones on me, but realized my personal cell phone had died (it had been plugged in but the chord was busted), and my friend didn't know that and may try to reach me there instead of my work cell phone. I wasn't scared, really. It was more just novel to feel so completely alone and so completely out of touch. I was never in danger and I wasn't really THAT far from people. It was just a fun, slightly spooky, feeling that I found refreshing and exciting. These types of experiences, I think, are really good reminders of why it is important to get out of the air conditioning, get away from modern society, and be out in the wild. 

I'm reminded of time when someone with me had a similar realization. My friend and colleague had suffered some chest pains and dizziness and was prescribed healthy eating and exercise as the main remedies. He had previously spent almost all of his time outside of work at his home, playing video games, and really not much else. With the medical issue giving him a little wake up call, I was able to convince him to do some light hiking with me a couple times. As we walked through the winding trails and small hills, he stopped at various places and was clearly awestruck at the beauty around us and the feeling of being outside and being away from society (even if the trails were partially paved and certainly well marked when not paved). It helped me to really appreciate what I had started to somewhat take for granted, and I recall that awe I saw and heard in him whenever I visit those specific hikes again, and many other times as well. 

Phoenix Frank Lloyd Wright Tour - Taliesen West and Beyond

Exit the 101 on Cactus and head east far enough and you'll stumble upon a working architecture school founded and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built by the labor of his apprentices.  Taliesin West served as summer home for the elderly Wright and his last wife, who was not so elderly when they were wed.  An experimental playground for Wright's architecture ideas and the basis for many of his greatest creations, Taliesin West is teeming with interesting history and is still a working school at the same time.  Tours run daily, but to make the most of your visit, I recommend you make a day (or weekend) of it. 

Start by acquiring or borrowing a copy of PBS's "Frank Lloyd Wright" documentary and watching it together.  Warning, it is a bit long, so grab some snacks and drinks and settle in.  You'll learn of his scandalous life, including a tale of cold-blooded murder, his either cocky or genius opinions, and about his career which really didn't accelerate until he was well past the age of 80 and had founded Taliesin West. 
Book your tour of Taliesin West online and early - this saves money and ensures you will get the tour time you want, as they do sell out quickly (we arrived at 10:35 and they were selling tickets for the 12:30 tour at that time, by the time our tour had concluded around 1, they were sold out for the rest of the day).  Before you do your tour, if you haven't seen or paid much attention to the Frank Lloyd Wright Spire, take a quick detour to Scottsdale and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd to see it, then proceed to Taliesin West.  Plan to get there at least 15 minutes prior to your tour - you may want even more time because the giftshop/bookstore had a lot of neat things and books in it.  The tour allows pictures, so bring your camera and don't forget to take a few selfies - you can find pictures (that are probably better than yours) online or in the giftshop, but

selfies are cool because they are part of your experience.  Bonus points if you know how to play the piano - you'll get an opportunity to entertain guests just like they did when Wright was running the school.  If you have little ones, try engaging them with this scavenger hunt I put together. 

After your tour, pick up whatever mementos you wish at the gift shop (I mean really, there's a sticker for $0.75, cool bookmarks, ornaments, fun books - it's worth bringing something home).  Head over to Butterfield's for brunch.  This has nothing to do with Frank Lloyd Wright, but it's in the perfect location between Taliesin and the Biltmore area where many of the houses he designed are, and it's amazing food.  Next up, plug the following addresses into your GPS and let it guide you past the private residences just long enough for you to peak in.  More info can be found here: http://franklloydwrightsites.com/arizona/

• 6442 E Cheney Dr, Paradise Valley - This is called the Pieper House and was constructed in 1952.
• 5802 N 30th St, Phoenix - This is called the Benjamin Adelman House and was constructed in 1950. The next location is just next door...
• 5808 N 30th St, Phoenix - This is called Boomer Cottage and was constructed in 1953.
• 6636 N 36th St, Phoenix - This is the Norman Lykes House, constructed in 1959.  There are other really neat houses in the area, but if you're familiar with Gammage, you'll recognize the earth-toned curves of Frank Lloyd Wright. 
• 2701 E Arizona Biltmore Cir, Phoenix - Optional stop if you aren't familiar with the Arizona Biltmore Hotel - this was another one of Wright's works and also makes for a pretty drive with impressive non-Wright houses. 
• 1123 W Palo Verde Dr, Phoenix - This is called the Raymond Carlson House and was constructed in 1950. 
• 6750 N 7th Ave, Phoenix - This is a church Wright designed, and you'll probably recognize the style of the spire and the sprawling roof. 
• 5212 Exeter Blvd, Phoenix - I saved this one for last intentionally.  This is the David and Gladys Wright House, designed for Frank Lloyd Wright's son, David, and has an impressive Gammage-like structure you can see well from the street.  Tours are currently closed, but watch the website as they may open back up for public tours, which would make a great finale for your Frank Lloyd Wright Extravaganza. 

I've somehow managed to live in the Phoenix area for 13+ years without

realizing the substantial presence of Frank Lloyd Wright's works until very recently.  Of course, I knew Gammage was his design, and maybe I had realized at one time that the Biltmore was also his, and we have that street I pass every day called Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.  To my amazement, he had this whole school that he planted out in the desert in the Scottsdale area, as well as a number of private houses he had designed.  I came upon this discovery just two months before I moved away, and totally by happenstance and curiosity.  I was reading an article in some travel magazine I got subscribed to for free and usually ignore, and the article was about a midwestern roadtrip one could take to see some of the many sites of Frank Lloyd Wright.  I really couldn't even say what made me wonder if there were such sites in Arizona, but I googled it, and found a full page of sites credited to the great architect.  A few were familiar, but most were totally new to me.  Anyways, I took on a minor obsession, looking for documentaries on Frank Lloyd Wright and resorted to YouTube videos, including tours of Taliesin West and David Wright's house.  I borrowed the above-mentioned documentary from the library, and convinced Jaiman to watch it with me so we could go tour Taliesin West afterward.  Without really a lot of planning, after the tour, we landed at a great brunch place we've been meaning to check out, and then I realized we were very near some of the houses Wright had designed and thought it might be worthwhile to round off our little trip with a few drive-bys.  Ironically, when we got home, we popped in Bye Bye Birdie (because Jaiman hopes to meet Dick Van Dyke at the upcoming Phoenix Comicon, so that's been his minor obsession lately) and the opening seen shows the Guggenheim, which we will be visiting soon after move to CT in June.  Again, I hadn't really planned this, but it worked out magically, and I wanted to share because we really made a nice day of it. 

Whether you live in Arizona or are planning a visit, if you want some other day-trip excursion ideas, check out my Arizona Bucket List.