Episode 4 | Tucson, Arizona
If you're looking for some great souvenirs to bring home from your trip to southern Arizona, we've got you covered! In our latest episode of Aimlessly Wandering, we'll be tracking down some of the best gift stores in the area, and showcasing some of the unique and one-of-a-kind items that you can find there.
But we're not just stopping at shopping. We'll also be taking a hike at Picacho Peak State Park, where you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape and get some exercise at the same time. And, of course, no trip to Arizona would be complete without trying some of the local cuisines. We'll be noshing on some delicious breakfast at a popular local restaurant chain, and ending our trip with some homemade street tacos that are sure to satisfy your hunger.
Before embarking on our hike at Picacho Peak State Park, we made a quick stop at Bowlins Picacho Peak Plaza, located just off exit 219 on the I-10. This travel center is a great place to pick up souvenirs and other essentials for your trip. They have a wide selection of Native American handcrafted jewelry, along with Mexican imports and Arizona-inspired memorabilia. You'll also find all the usual road trip essentials like snacks, drinks, and travel accessories.
We were impressed with the variety of items available at Bowlins and took some time to browse the selection of jewelry, candy, and other handmade crafts. There were so many unique items to choose from, and we had a hard time deciding what to bring back with us.
After shopping for souvenirs and loading up on water bottles for our hike, we were finally ready to head to Picacho Peak State Park. As we drove down the winding road leading up to the park, we were treated to stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The park itself is located on a high point of land and offers panoramic views of the surrounding desert and mountains.
Once we arrived at the park, we made our way to the trailhead and began our hike.
The trails at Picacho Peak are well-marked and well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels to suit different fitness levels. We opted for a moderate trail and set off. As we hiked, we were treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding desert and mountains and were able to spot a variety of plant and animal life along the way. We saw lizards scurrying across the trail, and a variety of birds soaring overhead. We took a few minutes to admire the views and catch our breath while soaking in the beauty of the place and then started our descent back down the mountain.
After completing our hike at Picacho Peak State Park, we were starving and ready for some delicious food. We had heard of the Bisbee Breakfast Club on our previous visit to Arizona, where we saw their original location in the town of Bisbee, Arizona. Due to the popularity of the restaurant, they have since expanded to 8 locations throughout Arizona.
The Bisbee Breakfast Club is a popular local chain and has a reputation for serving delicious breakfast and brunch dishes. We arrived at the restaurant and were greeted by a friendly hostess who seated us at a cozy table. We perused the menu and were amazed by the variety of options available. There were all sorts of delicious breakfast dishes, ranging from classic eggs and bacon to more creative options like avocado toast and breakfast burritos. When our food arrived, it looked and smelled amazing. We dug in and were delighted by the flavors and textures of our dishes.
After finishing our meal at the Bisbee Breakfast Club, we headed out towards Oro Valley, where we discovered our next great stop for souvenirs: The National Parks Store.
This store is a paradise for anyone interested in the outdoors and offers a wide selection of items related to national parks, wildlife, and conservation. There were all sorts of interesting souvenirs to choose from, ranging from t-shirts and hats to books and maps. We were particularly drawn to the selection of wildlife-themed items.
In addition to souvenirs, The National Parks Store also offers a range of educational materials and resources related to conservation and the outdoors. We took some time to look through the books and maps available and were impressed by the wealth of information that was available. Overall, The National Parks Store was a great stop for souvenirs and outdoor-related items, and we were happy to have discovered it on our trip. If you're in the Oro Valley area and are interested in the outdoors, it's definitely worth a visit.
After a day of exploring and adventure, we were ready to head back home and relax with some friends and family.
We were excited to celebrate the last night of our trip with a delicious home-cooked meal and were happy to have some great friends to help us prepare it. We all gathered around the table and enjoyed the feast, chatting and laughing and enjoying each other's company. It was the perfect way to end our trip, and we were grateful to have such great friends to share it with. After dinner, we said our goodbyes and made plans to get together again soon, already looking forward to our next adventure together.
