A chance business meeting four years ago now has blossomed into a real friendship. Through the passage of time, the shared bonds of Phoenix hiking tours have continued to strengthen and deepen a partnership that has benefited much more than my Wild Bunch Desert Guides.

The golden oldie is well-known as the unofficial state song of the golden state and the theme behind the expansion of our country westward. Written and first used on Broadway by Al Jolson, “California, Here I Come” celebrates its 100th birthday in January of 2024 after serving in the soundtrack of films, TV shows and stage productions for generations. But I am singing a different tune these days by changing the lyrics slightly for my Wild Bunch Desert Guides, with the second season of Colorado summer hiking tours on the vacation horizon.

For the second straight year, the Phoenix adventure tours season has been one for the record books. But while 2022 was memorable for a seemingly endless stream of bookings, the 2023 calendar year has been remarkably inconsistent and maddeningly unpredictable. The most troubling trend? The rise of last-minute requests for guided Phoenix hiking tours and guided Phoenix mountain bike tours.

The thrills rival any amusement park roller coaster. The surroundings are more beautiful than any theme park, too. If only your kids could be part of the unforgettable experience you are enjoying with the Wild Bunch Desert Guides! (Sigh) … But wait! They can! Avoid being the parents who mistakenly leave the children back at the resort! Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime family outing together on either guided Phoenix hiking tours or guided Scottsdale mountain bike tours.

“March Madness” in Arizona means much more than the college national basketball tournament. The state always plays a part in “The Big Dance,” but other events such as Spring Break and Major League Baseball’s Spring Training also attract a glut of guests to The Valley of the Sun. Perfect for this time of year is our annual “Elite Eight” list of must-do Phoenix adventure tours for those visitors to dance about during their trip – whatever the reason may be.

During the pandemic, I drove a delivery truck to try and save my business. So, I found myself listening to a lot of radio to keep me company at that time. In particular, I gravitated to talk radio on KTAR-FM 92.3 here in the Valley of the Sun for the financial advice of The Dave Ramsey Show. One of the host’s main messages spoke to my plight at the time and has always resonated with me. “ALWAYS have a side hustle because you never know when you’re not going to have work,” Ramsey said, repeating this mantra at least once per hour. “If you’re able to find some side hustles here and there, when things inevitably dip, you’ll still maintain your sanity and continue paying your bills.” Even though I own a successful small business now – offering Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours with my Wild Bunch Desert Guides -- I still walk that talk. I even found a side hustle that turned out to be a lot of fun during Super Bowl week here in the desert.

The top two teams in the NFL square off Sunday in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium right here in my backyard in Glendale. However, with all due respect to the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, the best team in Arizona this weekend can be found as usual in the Sonoran Desert showing visitors the best of the old Southwest. The Wild Bunch Desert Guides deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences on their championship-level Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours.

The long-awaited matchup is set. For the first time since 2017 – and only the 14th time in history – the top seeds from both the AFC and NFC are meeting in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Feb. 12. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are squaring off in what should be an instant classic right here in my backyard at State Farm Stadium in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Ariz. So, everybody asks these days, who you got? My politically correct answer: I’m rooting for everybody to have a “Super” time during their visit to the Valley of the Sun. But if you are a gambler looking for some action? Here’s the hottest inside betting tip in town -- Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours with my Wild Bunch Desert Guides is a fun-in-the-sun proposition I like to call “Laurel’s lock.” We are even offering a “Super” discount for hiking with us – whether or not you are in town for the NFL finale!

Nobody loves the referees, it has been suggested, except by their families and friends -- and that's assuming those officials stay away from working a game involving a favorite team of those loved ones. If so, Wild Bunch Desert Guides owner and operator Laurel Darren is a notable exception – and for one very good reason after one of the Phoenix mountain bike tours she guided recently.

Laurel Darren resolved long ago to avoid making New Year’s resolutions. However, the Wild Bunch Desert Guides owner does have a 2023 promise for guests. Her small mom-and-pop specialty shop will continue offering the same great Phoenix hiking tours and Scottsdale mountain bike tours made famous by five-star reviews. The Wild Bunch draws those raves regularly for homespun hospitality, superb customer service and customizable adventures.

Christmas came early this year for guests booking Phoenix mountain bike tours with the Wild Bunch Desert Guides. But while first-timers and curiosity seekers surely failed to realize the holiday magic, repeat riders and veteran off-roaders lit up like Christmas trees upon finding out.

From the wonderous natural beauties in the Sonoran Desert to meeting incredible people from all over the country, Wild Bunch guides and guests alike find many different kinds of fulfillment on Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours.

The perfect pairing of comedic geniuses Tina Fey and Steve Carell makes the mistaken identity and madcap misfortune in the movie “Date Night” a truly hilarious experience to watch. But make sure to avoid a sad sequel yourself – especially when looking for romantic things to do in Phoenix during your next vacation or couples’ getaway. Here are some super cool Date Night ideas in Phoenix from the owner of five-star rated Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours. Best yet, this list of things to do in Phoenix for couples offers real-life adventures better than any film can conjure up.

Go ahead and pile on the turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Throw some cranberry sauce and stuffing on there, too. And you always have to save room for pumpkin or pecan pie – or better yet both, I always say. But understand that my plate already is full as we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Feast on these many blessings from my Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours to understand why this Phoenix adventure tours owner is extremely thankful this Thanksgiving holiday.

“Don’t let the sun go down on me” was one of Elton John’s biggest hits in the 1970s. A George Michael cover of that classic also was a No. 1 worldwide smash in the 1990s. However, the tune has completely changed for guests on Phoenix hiking tours. Instead of pining about a curtain-dropper, Valley of the Sun visitors celebrate the ultimate showstopper splashing a palette full of Easter egg-colors on their once-in-a-lifetime vacation memories.

Tired of all the campaign ads on TV? Weary of the non-stop political rhetoric? I’m Laurel Darren, the owner of Wild Bunch Desert Guides, and I approve this message -- because I’m asking for your vote when the ballot addresses fun for the whole family. After all the venom and vitriol leading up to Election Day 2022, we all could use a getaway to get unplugged and get back to nature with our loved ones on one of our Phoenix hiking tours or Phoenix mountain bike tours.

Phoenix hiking tours or Phoenix mountain bike tours from the Wild Bunch Desert Guides are a real treat for guests of the small mom-and-pop specialty shop. Totally private, completely customizable experiences stressing safety and homespun hospitality make these Phoenix adventure tours a great addition to Trick-or-Treat buckets any time – not simply this Halloween.

Heading to Arizona for this year’s Super Bowl to enjoy all of the NFL’s season-ending celebrations? Or maybe you are returning to the Valley of the Sun for the usual “Frantic February” fare of baseball’s spring training or the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open? Or perhaps the world-renown Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction is more your speed? Whatever your reason for visiting one of the world’s top vacation destinations, here are some travel tips and things to do in Phoenix February 2023 to make sure you have a Super experience.

Jordan. Bird. Magic. Those first ballot Hall of Famers were among the biggest name standard bearers of the NBA's first Olympic basketball "Dream Team." The members of my personal "Super Squad" are hardly household names, but their love and support has helped me get through the toughest of times -- and turn my Phoenix adventure tours into something truly special.

From “Psycho” and other classic Hitchcock thrillers to Stephen King chillers such as “The Shining,” horror films consistently rate among the most popular of movie genres. The great horror director Wes Craven often spoke of the feelings of fear, dread and danger as an addictive elixir keeping fans clamoring for more on the big screen. People simply seem to love sitting in a darkened theater on the edge of their seats for a rollercoaster ride of shocking surprises whether watching monsters, killers or psychological thrillers do their worst to unsuspecting victims. However, neither Freddy Krueger nor Michael Myers nor Pennywise is what keeps me up at night these days.

The Labor Day Holiday weekend used to be the finish line – and that still is a week away. However, the final strains of summer vacations have already played out in much of the country. So, what did your favorite Phoenix adventure tours operator learn during her working summer break from Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours? Offering Colorado summer hiking tours for the first time has brought back a lot of memories – and revealed some key differences.