Southwestern Road Trip.: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 5, 2010 7:21 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Going to Yuma, Arizona for two days of hands on time about mid May. This time I'm bringing the Bride and taking a week off work, gonna tour around a bit. Probably leave from Las Vegas, Nevada a week or ten days later.

Looking at maps, there ain't a whole lot out there. We're driving secondary roads, kicking back and pigging out on Mexican food.

Got any suggestions? Trish thought it would be nice to get me a one day driving school somewhere, still looking around. I don't really want to go to Phoenix, seen cities before.

Dan
April 5, 2010 7:23 a.m. Kia_racer Reader

Don't forget the four corners and the Grand Canyon.
April 5, 2010 7:33 a.m. jrw1621 Dork

Are you flying into Yuma and then flying out of Vegas?
The reason that I ask is that one-way rental cars can be very expensive. You might be better off financially flying into Vegas and then driving to Yuma so you can easily fly out of Vegas again.
April 5, 2010 7:59 a.m. BoxheadTim Dork

Grand Canyon, definitely. Probably Hoover Dam - don't know if they finished the bypass yet, though. If you're staying in Vegas and like desert, then Death Valley is a good trip.

You can do Zion National Park in a day roundtrip, or you could stay at the lodge there - might be a bit crowded on a weekend though.

IIRC there is a driving school in Vegas (Andretti, I think), which reminds me that I'll have to check if they're kind enough to honor the now expired voucher my wife gave me for my last birthday because I haven't made it back there in time .

One of my favourite little side trips that Ann & me did was going up to Gold Point and stay there over the weekend - for a donation to their restoration fund you can stay in a restored miner's cabin and they cook dinner (and I think breakfast on Sunday) for you. We loved it that I think I wouldn't have a problem convincing Ann to go back there.

Drop me a line if you're coming, I might still be in Lost Wages around that time depending on our job situation. If we're still around we'll gladly drag you to our favourite off-strip Mexican restaurant.
April 5, 2010 10:13 a.m. InigoMontoya Reader

Depending on how close you get there are some things over in Tuscon that might be worth stopping at. The Sonoran Desert Musuem, A drive up Mt. Lemmon (yes, really), The Airpark Musuem, there are come caves local to Tuscon as well if you want to do that.

Driving schools in Vegas and Phoenix, that is about all I can think.
April 5, 2010 10:19 a.m. carguy123 SuperDork

Just be careful when driving in Arizona. They have periscope SUVs they park over the crest of a hill and then raise the periscope up till it just barely clears the crest. Many of these use low powered X band radar (which is ignored by many radar detectors) to either check your speed, or power a camera. I was hit by X band, K band, Ka and Laser from these Q ships.

The troopers also try to overwhelm your radar detector by running in packs. If you don't have a Valentine 1 after you pass the first 4 troopers you'll think you are safe only to find a 5th or 6 trooper in an unusual place.
April 5, 2010 10:24 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

No problem CarGuy, don't speed.

So far it looks like Maskin food, Hoover Dam (any Transformers still there?) and this thing. I am afraid of heights so it should be fun.

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/
April 5, 2010 10:30 a.m. oldsaw Dork

In reply to BoxheadTim:

I believe the Hoover Dam bypass has been completed. A dam-tour is highly recommended; it's a nice day-trip.

Dan, if you and the Missus like to people-watch and enjoy some exercise, take a walk up and down The Strip at night. The Bellagio fountains are pretty cool and the New York, New York roller coaster is a fun ride - if you're into that kind of thing. Fremont Street is further north on the Strip, but the overhead screen can be impressive - it depends on what is playing at the time.

Las Vegas Motor Speeday and Nellis AFB are on the north end of town; there may be tours available at either site. If you're thinking of a driving school, look at booking one right away. IIRC, there is also a small motorcycle track outside of the Speedway; that might make for an interesting school experience also.

If you're more into some natural beauty, check out Red Rock Canyon on the west-side of town.
April 5, 2010 10:38 a.m. oldsaw Dork

914Driver wrote:

No problem CarGuy, don't speed.

So far it looks like Maskin food, Hoover Dam (any Transformers still there?) and this thing. I am afraid of heights so it should be fun.

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/

I'm not a fan of really big air, either. But, I'd do the Skywalk in a heart-beat over this choice:

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April 5, 2010 11:04 a.m. carguy123 SuperDork

Not speeding is not always an option. First you are WAYYYYY out in the middle of no where a lot of time and speed can creep up on you and secondly a good number of time there was a suspicious speed limit change just yards from these trucks.

So the best option is a Valentine One radar detector since it gives you arrows to show the locations and numbers to show how many of them there are out there. I felt like the loan covered wagon surrounded by the Indians out there a couple of times.

And I meant to say "X" band. Arizona uses X band (grocery store door opener band) in places and most radar detectors ignore that anymore.
April 5, 2010 9:52 p.m. lewbud Reader

If you're into planes, the Pima Air Musuem is worth a trip. If you can get one, try a tour of AMARG-the Davis Monthan boneyard. Unfortunately, you can't take tools in or anything out.