Tucson in a Tucson Adventure

2022 was a year of many firsts for me - my first half marathon, my first work assignment away from home and my first time jumping into the deep end of a pool. I decided I liked firsts - they scared and excited me at the same time.

So when the opportunity to take my first solo trip came about - I didn't hesitate. Tucson from El Paso is a 350 mile distance which can be covered in less than 5 hours. With my trusty Hyundai Tucson by my side, the trip was already starting to look real.
Below I share my travel planning process, itinerary and recommendations for things to do. I hope this helps you in planning your little adventure, when you decide to take it.

Travel Planning

• A Brainstorm Session - This involved asking a series of questions. What did I want out of this trip? being the most important. Adventure, Nature, Safety and a little bit of luxury were my must haves.
• Travel Research - Google was my starting point. I also reached out to friends who had previously visited or lived in the city. This helped me narrow down hotels, restaurants and must dos while in the city.
• A Travel Budget - Avoid post trip sticker shock by creating a travel budget. I created mine on a spreadsheet. A paper and pen will work just as well.
• Resorts/Hotels - I used credit card points to book hotels. My personal favorite cards are the Chase Sapphire and American Express Mariott Bonvoy.
• If you are new to the world of points check out these 2 blogs - The Points Guy and Nerd Wallet. Resort recommendations - JW Mariott Tucson Starr Pass and The Ritz Carlton - Dove Mountain. I got a great deal on both with my reward points.

The Itinerary

Day 1 - Drive to Tucson

The drive from El Paso to Tucson was a gorgeous one. Miles of deserts and mountains everywhere. A good playlist in my car and the miles melted away.

First stop in Tucson was Mission San Xavier Del Bac - an old Spanish Catholic church dating back to the 1700's.

The desert landscape was fascinating. 'Saguaros' - cacti native to Arizona were everywhere along with other desert plants.

Onwards to JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. The resort was welcoming and had a bunch of resort activities that were included in the daily resort fee. The evening Tequila Toast and dinner on the patio restaurant wrapped up the day.

Highlight of the day - The views at Gates pass and driving towards the mountains.

Day 2 - Hikes and the City

The resort had a number of trails leading into the Tucson Mountains with great vistas right in its backyard. After participating in a Native American ritual called, 'Oyasin Mitakuye,' I started my 2 miles hike up the Hidden Canyon trail. To read some reflections on the 'Oyasin Mitakuye' experience, click here.

I got lost temporarily on this trail which led to some rapid heartbeat moments. A quick GPS check on my phone along with some deep breaths had me on the right path in no time. Lesson learnt - when freaking out - remember to calm down and breathe :)

The bulk of the day post hike was dedicated to exploring the city center and The University of Arizona. I used public transport to explore the downtown area. There were 2 benefits to this. First, I didn't have to drive in the crazy downtown traffic. Second, I got to see interesting parts of town that, as a non local, I would have missed.

Tucson's public transport includes a streetcar called the Sunlink which shares the road with regular vehicles. It was free of charge and a fun way to explore the city.  Main Gate Square and Arizona State University were my 2 stops.

The city time as interesting as it was, left me wanting for more.

A crawler ride up the Sabino Canyon was just what I needed. It gave my very tired feet some rest and provided a view that made the trip worthwhile.

I wrapped up the day with an interesting dinner at Guadalajara Original Grill. Prickly pear cactus, a native plant to the region is served in many dishes here. So I toasted the night to yet another first - a cactus in my meal :)

Day 3 - A comparatively lazy day :)

The drive down to the Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum provided unparalleled views of the Tucson mountains. The actual museum itself is a 'do not repeat' in my list of things to do. The Raptor flight was probably the most noteworthy thing there.

The Bajada Loop drive through the West Saguaro National Park followed by a hike made up for an otherwise 'blah' morning.

Onwards to Ritz, where I decided to call it a day. The resort is beautiful though a little remote. I recommend staying here towards the end of the trip when most of the sight seeing is done. Javelinas (pig like animals) are a part of the desert wildlife here. Don't be surprised if you see them on one of your hikes. They roam the grounds freely at the resort.

Day 4 - Drive to El Paso

On the drive back to Elpaso, I stopped at the East Saguaro National Park.
The 360 degree views of the mountains were simply breath taking.

The 40 minute cactus loop drive and a quick 2 mile hike up the Mica View Trail did partial justice to this 'must do' attraction.

The long drive back to El Paso after was pretty uneventful.  I reached a little tired but a very proud traveler.

A post reflection session made me think of some useful lessons I learnt during this journey.

Do:

• Stop at the visitor centers at the National Parks.
• Ask the park rangers for advice on things to do. They are super friendly and helped me shortlist trails that were safe for solo hiking.
• Ask for the visitor center phone number just in case you get lost.
• Carry a portable charger. I was out in the mountains for extended periods of time. My trusty charger made sure I was fully charged and connected for GPS tracking.
• Send postcards to loved ones. When you see something beautiful you will want to share it. I sent postcards to my son from most places. The National Parks will stamp and mail them for you.
• Listen to your gut and use common sense. I tried to be back at my resorts before sunset and used the evening time to explore the many amenities that the resorts offer.
• And last but not the least - have a spirit of adventure. Try new things and step out of your comfort zone. Driving the winding roads over the mountains, hiking on the trails alone and having no one else to depend on but me was challenging. But every time I conquered one little fear, found my way out of one more hike, my trust in me got stronger - and my world a little bigger.

And that is my wish for you too... a world that expands in proportion to your courage. Bon Voyage.