Welcome to our whirlwind October 2024 trip across the good ol’ U.S. of A! This wasn’t your average beach-and-burgers holiday—oh no, we crammed in tech expos, solo explorations, family catch-ups, desert drives, red rock rambling, and a little bit of Vegas glitz. Buckle up and keep your arms inside the vehicle at all times—we’re off on a cheeky, charming ride through the American Southwest.
The Journey Begins: Manchester to San Diego
We kicked things off with a long-haul hop from Manchester to sunny San Diego, California. Why San Diego? Because someone (me) decided that Autodesk University sounded like the perfect excuse for a transatlantic jaunt. While I geeked out with fellow software nerds for four days, my endlessly patient and adventurous wife, Michele, was left to her own devices in a new city. Spoiler: she absolutely smashed it.
Michele vs. San Diego
Armed with her mobile phone camera, comfy shoes, and a mild distrust of American portion sizes, Michele tackled San Diego like a pro. Think coastal strolls, art galleries, boutique shops, and probably at least one café that claimed to have the “best latte on the West Coast.” Four solo days in a city she’d never visited before? Legend.
Family Time in Tucson
Once my tech brain was thoroughly saturated, we zipped southeast to Tucson, Arizona, for a lovely couple of nights with my dad’s cousin, Pauline. It was a chance to slow things down, enjoy some proper Southwestern hospitality, and marvel at how everything in Arizona seems to want to poke, sting, or sunburn you. Cacti, scorpions, UV rays—you name it.
One Night in Scottsdale
Next up: Scottsdale. Just east of Phoenix and with more palm trees than you can shake a desert lizard at. We only stayed for one night, but it was long enough to get a taste of its artsy, upscale vibe and snag a rather nice margarita (strictly for research purposes, of course).
Sedona Serenity
From Scottsdale, we headed north to the real showstopper: Sedona. We spent three nights in Oak Creek, surrounded by red rock formations that looked like they were painted by a very enthusiastic Bob Ross. Hiking, star-gazing, and pretending we were in a car commercial every time we drove through a canyon—it was glorious.
Viva Las Vegas
And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more dramatic, we popped into Las Vegas for the grand finale. Neon lights, slot machines, faux Eiffel Towers—Vegas was every bit as bonkers as we hoped. We didn’t lose the house at the blackjack table, but we did lose track of time… and possibly a bit of dignity.
Home Again, Home Again
After two madcap nights in Sin City, it was time to return to reality. We flew back to Manchester with dusty boots, sun-kissed cheeks, and a camera roll full of memories. And possibly an extra kilo or two from all the diner breakfasts. Worth it.
Follow the links below to each days blog post.
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