The adventure kicked off with a flight to Las Vegas, but not just any flight, I was about to experience Delta’s Airbus A350-900. Comfortable seating (yes, even in economy), a solid in-flight entertainment system, and a meal that didn’t make me question my life choices? Winning already. Touching down in LA, the airport transit was surprisingly smooth (a rare travel blessing), and before I knew it, I was enroute to Sin City.
Las Vegas is always a sensory overload, but checking into the Encore Las Vegas dialed up the luxury. The itinerary wasted no time – first stop, the Lip Smacking Foodie Tour, where I ate my way through the best of Vegas. From there, we hopped on a helicopter flight over the Strip, which, let’s be honest, is the only way to fully appreciate the dazzling madness of it all. The city was buzzing with sports fans, and we were right in the thick of it for the NRL Las Vegas Rugby League opening round at Allegiant Stadium. Watching a sea of Aussies take over a stadium in the middle of the Nevada desert? Priceless.
The next morning, we picked up our rental cars and hit the road. I climbed behind the wheel of a Jeep Wagoneer, which made me feel like I should be starring in a road trip commercial, until I realized just how wide American roads (and their vehicles) are. It took a minute to adjust, but soon enough, I was cruising down highways like I’d done it all my life.
First stop: Sedona. The drive took us through Kingman, where we got a taste of nostalgia on Route 66 – yes, I stood on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and yes, I sang the song. Sedona’s stunning red rock landscapes were a complete shift from Vegas’ glitz, and staying at Sky Rock Sedona gave us front-row seats to the scenery. Waking up to fresh mountain air and a light snowfall? Not what I expected in the Arizona desert, but absolutely magical.
From there, we rolled into Phoenix, stopping for lunch at the sleek Mountain Shadows Resort before diving into the city’s offerings. Highlights included hot air ballooning with Rainbow Ryders (a bucket list moment where I didn’t drop my phone overboard – small victories), a tour of the Musical Instrument Museum, and catching a Phoenix Suns vs. LA Clippers game at the Footprint Centre. Staying downtown at the Hampton Inn & Suites put us in the perfect spot to soak up the energy of the city.
Then came Winslow, a town with more character than I expected. We stayed at the historic La Posada Hotel, where the hospitality was as warm as the homemade tortillas. The night took an unexpected turn when we were invited out by the Mayor of Winslow. I didn’t see that one coming, but when the Mayor calls, you go.
The final leg of the trip took us to Flagstaff, and Mother Nature decided to put on a show. A late-season snowstorm transformed the town into a winter wonderland. Some outdoor activities got cancelled, but we made up for it with a snowball fight, axe throwing, and laser tag, because nothing says “team bonding” like hurling things at each other.
And the food? Forget what you think you know about American cuisine. We ate like royalty at Grand Canyon Brewing Co. in Kingman, Stagecoach BBQ in Sedona (I’m still thinking about those ribs), The Mission Restaurant in Scottsdale, and Atria Restaurant in Flagstaff. Turns out, the USA does food just as well as it does oversized cars.
Looking back, this trip was more than just a whirlwind of sports, scenery, and incredible meals—it was about the people. The amazing group of travel agents I shared it with, the locals who welcomed us, and the sponsors who made it all happen. Huge thanks to Brand USA, Delta Airlines, Linkd Tourism, Sports Where I Am, Alamo Rental Cars, and everyone who helped pull this off.
Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. Just give me another Jeep Wagoneer, a plate of Sedona BBQ, and maybe a little more time standing on that Winslow corner.
