From the Va sticks to the Az. sun

[Rick V]

I have about a dozen job interviews in the Tucson area and the wife and I are going to drive out and spend a week just kicking over some rocks in the desert. If anybody sees a black Mercedes with personalized Va tags (my last name) feel free to wave or introduce yourself along the way.
We are more than likely going to take the northern route through Ok, but weather may force us to haul through Texas along the southern route.
Any things to avoid along the way other then the obvious guy selling internal organs from the back of a minivan?

[Seahawk]

I love road trips!

What follows is all weather dependent, but I have been on these roads.

After Oak City, head south to Lawton, take the quick detour through the Wichita Mountains.

Take back roads through Clovis, Roswell, etc. into Tucson.

On the way home head north a bit. I'll text you a good route, weather willing.

Have a great time! As you get close to the border gas stations will only take credit cards inside, at least a few months ago.

[fintstone]

If you end up on 25 or 40 in New Mexico, the mountains can surprise you if there has been snow recently...especially at night. Coming out of the warm, dry desert with hundreds of miles of dry pavement and then hit a patch of black ice. They generally don't bother to salt, sand, or clear it. Especially on 40 near the continental divide on the way to AZ. I don't know how many times I have left Vegas in shorts driving to Albuquerque and hit a near invisible, serious ice flow near there with dozens of cars off the road.

Hate to see you leave VA, but good luck with your interviews.

[fintstone]

Also, unlike back east, there is a lot of distance between towns with food and gas. Some of those are not open late. No McDonalds or Walmart every 5 miles like in the southern east coast. Pay attention to your gas gauge and food/potty stops or your wife will not be happy. Bring some water and snacks. Don't forget an extra quart of oil as you may not find what you use regularly available in the small towns en route. Keep in mind that your phone may also lose reception for significant lengths of time.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nice! I love AZ, came pretty close to moving to Phoenix earlier this year. In Tucson try a Sonoran hot dog, and if you're into aviation check out the Pima air museum and Boneyard tour. Mt Lemmon E of town and Sonoran National Park SE of town are both gorgeous with great hiking, about as far from the desert as you can get.

[asphaltgambler]

Rick, is this interview still in / for the car business?

[Laneco]

I actually like Tuscon. Good blend of old western and "luxury western/new age/spa" sort of thing. Nice vibe from the college as well.

If you have an afternoon free, the Sonoran Desert Museum is pretty cool. It's mostly a zoo of desert animals, not so much a museum. The hummingbird area is very cool as you get to walk inside and be with the birds.

angela

[Rick V]

I have nine interviews and unfortunately they are all turning wrenches but hey, it is what I do, and I am going to use my stripes and certs to make this happen. I am on a mental five year plan then out of the biz

[tevake]

I had a fun drive from central N M into Az. A while back. Mostly on highway 60. Drove up from Roswell thru fire valley, on past the V L A, stopped for pie in Pie Town (highly recommended ) and on thru the mountains of eastern Az . Beautiful area to drive thru. Got to watch the weather this time of year.

If you end up doing the southern route the detour up to Karlsbad Caverns is worth while and the route back towards Tucson is between some striking mountains.

What to avoid, the endless grind of interstate driving.

Love road trips, have fun

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by Rick V

I have nine interviews and unfortunately they are all turning wrenches but hey, it is what I do, and I am going to use my stripes and certs to make this happen. I am on a mental five year plan then out of the biz

...and to think I was gonna recommend a few Benz wrenches along the way

rjp

[Evans, Marv]

Even though I live in a beautiful location in SoCal, I have always loved the Sonoran environment. Since you are making the trip for serious reasons and may not have time for much exploring, there are lots of things to check out in AZ & NM after you move there. The Sonoran desert is beautiful. Of course you must check out some of the old western towns like Tombstone in southern AZ. The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is a must, and you will find out about other things after you move there. If you have time to go over into NM, Silver City has lots of antiques, Carlsbad Caverns is great. If you like art, northwestern NM (Truches & area) has lots of scenic & quaint areas with some great individual and independent studios for paintings, pottery, gems, and sculptures.

[fastfredracing]

Things must be happening out west with the auto business, I get daily emails, about dealerships/automalls, looking for techs, seems the $ is good, and most are willing to pay to relocate. Hope it works out for you man, good luck!!

[Rick V]

Fred, you wouldn't believe the amount of people that need qualified techs out west. I have my resume posted in a couple of places and I am getting offers from Ca, NM, TX, AZ, WA, it is crazy. Here it is impossible to buy a damn tech job.
If you ever thought about it, now is the time, come on man I know you would be happy to never see snow again

[Brian in VA]

Good luck. Tucson is a cool place, great hiking trails, fun college town vibe.

[Hugh R]

Tucson is great! About ten years ago, one of my made-for-TV-Movies came within a nat's ass of burning down their Convention Center. As it was, it cost us about $5 million in fire/fire sprinkler damage. A Stephen King Novel Desperation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_King%27s_Desperation_%28film%29

Visit Bisbee if you move there. Cool ex-mining town. The houses/hotels are stuck up on the hills where copper wasn't found.

[Rick V]

BisBee looks like a cool spot to swing by but it doesn't look like they have any industry for me to make a living at.

[mreid]

In the last year, the MB dealer tripled the size of their dealership, we have brand new Subaru, Lexus, and Volkswagen dealerships, and BMW is building all on the I-10 corridor here in NW San Antonio. Things are booming in Texas, so come on down!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Rick V

BisBee looks like a cool spot to swing by but it doesn't look like they have any industry for me to make a living at.

Me thinks he was referencing the fact that Bisbee would be a great trip after you move to Tucson...and I concur.

I love the Desert South West. We lived in Fort Huachuca went my Dad did his overseas gigs in the Army. Makes me happy thinking of all the trips we did with my Mom in the old Chevy wagon.

A friend of mine of is from Ajo, also worth a day trip.

BTW, should you decide you need someone to drive one of your cars out, I am your Boy. You supply the car, I supply everything else

[KFC911]

Dang....suddenly my northern border doesn't seem as secure anymore . Good luck with the "next chapter" Rick!

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

BTW, should you decide you need someone to drive one of your cars out, I am your Boy. You supply the car, I supply everything else

Get used to the hairdresser jokes, I have a feeling you might be handed a Boxster