Greetings! Summer is here in Las Cruces, NM and the heat is definitely on. 100s all week and into the next. I don’t mind at all as it’s just part of the summer experience.
Speaking of heat, I recently was asked to attend a training in Las Vegas, NV for work. Road trip while getting paid? You bet! Flying was offered as an option, but I chose the longer, driving route. While it was quite warm in Las Cruces, it was dang HOT on this trip. First stop was in Phoenix, AZ (about half way) where I had 5-star accommodations at my buddy’s (Tyson’s) place. From Phoenix, it was an easy 4.5hr drive to Las Vegas. Phoenix was around 110 degrees where ‘Vegas was ONLY 109!
Total drive: 1,400 miles and ~22hrs of windshield time. Here’s the montage of the journey. Enjoy!
Gas stop in Lordsburg, NM
Arrival at Tyson’s place in Phoenix. Even though he was away in Utah at that particular time, he generously allowed me to stay at his new place (purchased last June).
A few photos while exploring the area. (This one is for you, Tyson!)
Inverted pyramid building in central Phoenix.
I snuck into Tyson’s newly renovated garage to grab a few photos. This garage accommodates a whopping five cars, and is a showroom for his complete (sans an SLX) 90s Acura collection. So clean, you can eat off the floor!
Next day I hit the road for ‘Vegas.
Quick stop at Nothing, AZ. My second time here.
Crossing the mighty Colorado River into Nevada!
Arriving in ‘Vegas.
My conference and two night stay was in Caesar’s Palace on the strip.
Checking in…accommodations weren’t bad at all.
A little exploring since I had the evening to myself. No gambling for me, though.
The fountains at Bellagio..
It didn’t take long before I was pooped. Since the conference started early the following morning, I hit the hay while the rest of the Strip hustled and bustled throughout the night.
The following two days of training was here at Caesar’s conference tower.
My last night at Caesar’s, I discovered a TV in the bathroom mirror?
Return trip back home, and one more stop at Tyson’s. I gave his gorgeous 2007 Kinetic Blue 6-spd TL Type-s a quick drive. At 97,000 miles, it felt as though it just left the showroom. Someday, I might just have to grab one of these in black.
Before heading out for Las Cruces, I started a new tradition by having significant folks who have ridden or driven the 6 in the past sign the trunk lid with a silver sharpie. Tyson and James Lee of sixspeedblog.com happily started us off.
Interstate 10 all the way home, and I hit some nice cool rain along the way.
About 30 miles from the New Mexico border, AZ Highway Patrol pulled me over for my window tint being too dark. Luckily I just got a warning, but I’m still puzzled by the stop considering I don’t reside in Arizona!
Back in Las Cruces and thanks to the rain, I was able to turn off the A/C for the first time in months.
That concludes the drive. Thanks for stopping by!
Pawela's Garage 
Awesome trip! I’m glad we got to cross paths toward the tail end of it. The guest room is always available any time you’re passing through this area. I think you made the right decision on opting to drive instead of fly – you know I’d do the same. I’m so impressed you were observant enough to find that “TL” sign on 12th Street just south of my house, and I see that you also found the inverted pyramid on Central. I’ve done NSX pics there before. I hope they had good refreshments at the conference at Caesar’s. And I wonder who will sign your trunk next!
Thanks again for the accommodations! I got a few odd stares while backing in to take the photo with the TL sign. I stopped caring a long time ago. lol. I loved that inverted pyramid and thing it’s genius for the Phoenix heat. Conference was great and the lunches and refreshments were top notch. I’ve got my own silver sharpie now and it stays in the 6 for that next special signature. 🙂
What a fun little work retreat getaway. Although I’d question you on eating off the garage floor…. 😉 Jealous of that TV mirror though, I need one of those! Hope we get to see you again soon.
Yes! That mirror TV was pretty trippy and I was sad I didn’t get to enjoy it longer. We will need to get another Tyson-James-Jason (TJJ) drive planned before the summer is out. 🙂