JB in the Wild E. 34

Welcome to episode 34

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I.???????????????? Introduction

Halloween was last week.? The little witches, cartoon characters and my favorite costume, a burrito (dress as food to get candy just feels right) are put away.? Now the holiday ads are upon us for the next two months.

I don’t know about you; my inner voice is thinking about adventures in the new year.

The last few episodes have been centered around business travel.? Let’s talk about slow travel this week.? For the less familiar, slow travel is immersive travel.? It doesn’t necessarily mean the action of traveling at a slow pace.

Think:? Allow your senses to guide you, instead of bouncing from popular attractions to insta-worthy places.? Be where you are, and let experiences come to you.

Also in this episode, more pictures, less words.? A photo essay highlighting the American Southwest.? A popular destination in the frosty winter season up north.

II.?????????????? Slow Travel – An Introduction

You don’t have to walk or ride a bicycle to get from here to there.? You can certainly be in Chicago and slow travel in Tokyo without it requiring months to get there.? It’s what you do when you are there.

The essence of a slower experience while traveling is equivalent to quality over quantity.? Instead of zooming through an art gallery to get a selfie with that one painting you have been wanting to see for years.

You daydream about visiting far away exotic islands or cosmopolitan cities.? When you finally make it there, be there.?

Laze on the sand, listen to the waves lapping at the shore, feel the sun rays.?

Walk the avenues.? Feel the energy of masses of people in all directions.? Tune out the man-made sounds, hear the breeze rustle the leafy trees.

Taste the local foods (not the localized version of McBurgers), authentic cuisine.

Smell the flowers, literally.

The counter argument is usually traveling such a long distance, why not visit more countries/cities in the region??

Excellent question.? And there is the heart of the matter.

If you’re still not convinced, ask yourself this question:

How much will you get to know about just one of the cities or natural spaces if you are there for one or two days?

Then gathering your gear to do the same thing in another destination, repeat again and again.?

Won’t you be exhausted?

More next episode, we want to practice what we champion, slow travel is a better way to experience wherever you go.

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III.???????????? American Southwest photo essay

Deserts ecologically are far richer than meets the eye.? One usually associates a desert with a sparse landscape.? Some deserts are, until you are on the ground.? See big black beetles scuttle across the baked earth.? Watch tumbleweed scrub pushed by gusty winds across the landscape.?

The American Southwest is a series of weathered, ancient mountain ranges and broad desertscapes for hundreds of miles from the Pacific Ocean to Western Texas.? All the photos are originals.

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IV.???????????? Travel Ideas – American Southwest

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American Southwest - Stargazer

?8 days

Arrive Phoenix, AZ

All wheel drive rental

Glamping with an astronomer

Daytime hiking, fossil hunting, hieroglyph spotting

Chef prepared camp breakfasts and dinners

Small local diners for lunches

Optional horseback trail ride

Return via Phoenix

?American Southwest - Land of Enchantment

8 days

Glamping in New Mexico Spring/Summer 2025

Private transportation

Rocky mountain landscapes

Rustic cabin rental

Guided small group hikes, optional overnight camping

Naturalist guides and porters

Optional spring skiing or snowboarding, spring only

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American Southwest – Mojave Magic

8 days

Arrive Las Vegas

2 nights at 5-star resort

Optional golf outing – golf lessons

Private transportation to Death Valley

Resort in the national park

Day tours with a private naturalist guide

Night sky viewing with an astronomer

Chef prepared meals with picturesque panorama views

Private transfer to Las Vegas

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V.?????????????? Trivia

What is the largest city in North America, by population?

Mexico City

Source:? World Atlas

What is the hottest place on earth?

Answer next episode

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VI.???????????? Quote

“The desert lies beneath and soars beyond any possible human qualification.? Therefore, sublime”

-??????? Edward Abbey

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Thank you for reading!

Ready to travel?? Talk about travel?? Dream up an epic trip?

Find us online @ https://www.holidayroadadventures.com/team/josh-black

https://calendly.com/josh-black-w53w

Already planning a trip, we can help.

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Dream.? Plan. Go!