Mixing up how you travel, whether it is by plane, train, car or bus, each mode of transportation changes your perspective of how you see your surroundings. I recently drove round trip from Minnesota to Arizona.
I was not only nervous but wondered if it was a good idea to travel solo and could physically and mentally make the long trek.
In total, the trip took 4 days and around 30 hours one way.
I thought it would be fun to do some sightseeing along the way. I had never been to Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico or Arizona except for brief airport layovers.
Driving through the southwest is not only beautiful, but the amount of hospitality given to me during my brief stays reminded me of how we treat people in the Midwest.
Bellevue in Nebraska
The drive from Minneapolis to Bellevue is a little over 6 hours. Driving through Iowa is a treat seeing the wind turbines, farm, the smells of manure, and the never-ending rows of cornfields.
I stayed overnight at the Candlewood Suites Bellevue where there was a kitchenette to make a home-cooked meal and indulge in an Epsom salt bath. Check out my post on DIY Food Recipes for at Home and on the Road.
Colorado Springs in Colorado
The 9-hour drive to Nebraska is anything, but exciting. Cell reception is poor and you are left to your own thoughts. The journey doesn’t have to be completely boring.
Download some audiobooks or podcasts for those dead spots and learn about a new topic. Each time I have made this trip, I have stated in either Denver or Colorado Springs.
If you stay in Denver, be sure to eat at The Fort Restaurant and try some bone marrow, tongue, or the wild game plate. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is a couple of miles away. I recommend going online to check and see the latest concert playing.
If you stay in Colorado Springs, you have to make a stop to Pikes Peak Cog Railway and take the train to the top or hike it.
It’s a great workout if you are preparing to climb some of the tallest peaks in the world like Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Everest. Don’t forget to visit the Olympic Training Center as well.
Albuquerque in New Mexico
Upon crossing into New Mexico from Colorado, take a detour before arriving in Albuquerque, NM and visit Aztec, NM. Aztec National Ruins Monument is a World Heritage site. Hike your ride your mountain bike around for a look before stopping at the gift shop to buy pottery made with horsehair.
Continue on to Albuquerque and treat yourself to some shaved ice. Sites like Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway and Petroglyph National Monuments are places I recommended seeing.
Take the tram right before sunset and observe the fiery reds and oranges fluttering down to the horizon. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albuquerque Historic Old Town.
Arizona
Once in Arizona, you have many options of where to lay your hat. I recommend either staying in Sierra Vista or Tucson. Tucson is a good central location if you want to take a day trip to Phoenix.
Or you can extend the road trip traveling around Arizona and see the changing landscape change from desert to snow.
A must-see is Antelope Canyon in Arizona. Continue north to Utah and visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Don’t forget the Grand Canyon!
In southern Arizona, you have to visit the mining town turned the hipster town of Bisbee. Local artists, great food and an annual blues festival will have you calling a realtor to buy some land.
In my opinion, they have the best coffee shop. Food is out of this world. Continue on to Tubac for art galleries, pottery, and jewelry.
You can’t leave Arizona without visiting Tombstone and grabbing a couple of donuts in Benson for your trip back to Minnesota or the place you call home.
On the return home, I recommend staying in Truth or Consequences, NM followed by Colorado Springs or Denver and finally Omaha. Make sure when you are making the long stretch from AZ to NM to stop and fill up.
The trek from NM to CO can result in driving a long time before seeing a gas station. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with little or no reception.
Since you are stopping in Omaha, check out the ice cream shop featured on the show, Shark Tank. You won’t miss it as you will see a line wrapped around the block waiting. Go Greek and visit Feta’s Greek Restaurant.
