Winning selection: ‘Elite Eight’ of Phoenix adventure tours

“Selection Sunday” is March 17. Three weekends after that, “March Madness” for college men’s basketball concludes with the “Final Four” in Phoenix. If making a fastbreak to the Valley of the Sun for “The Big Dance” – or even visiting for spring training baseball or Spring Break from school -- here is an “Elite Eight” list of must-do Phoenix adventure tours.

Phoenix hiking tours: Lights! Camera! Action!

I have heard comparisons before to Drew Barrymore, with everyone from friends to guests noting I have a similar “crazy chick vibe” to the iconic actress and current talk show host. But recently, I got to step into Drew’s shoes for a glimpse into her world under the lights, with a camera crew turning the desert trails for guided Phoenix hiking tours & Phoenix mountain bike tours into a sort of movie set with me starring in a production all about my life.

Phoenix adventure tours guide all revved up

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is fast approaching the 40th anniversary of the classic movie’s 1986 release. While I work hard – and juggle a lot of side gigs with the same fervor – I identify with the iconic film for a couple of reasons. For starters, I am a Midwestern native, growing up a short car ride away from Chicago and its suburbs, the setting for the high school hookie adventure. And like the main character, I believe in playing hard, too – sharing in Ferris’ motto that, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Which brings me to one of my latest thrill-rides …

Guiding your Phoenix adventure tours

Besides our guests, the guide we provide is the most important element of any Phoenix adventure tours from the Wild Bunch Desert Guides. Our pathfinders deliver the perfect mix of homespun hospitality and local expertise to produce five-star rated Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain biking tours. So, we always take time to match the perfect guide and perfect trail to every guest to help produce the perfect experience.

A full-access pass: Handicap Accessible ADA Hiking Trails in Phoenix

Neither grandma nor grandpa need to stay behind at your resort and babysit the kids during any Phoenix hiking tours with the Wild Bunch Desert Guides. Handicap Accessible ADA hiking trails in Phoenix offer a full-access pass to the breathtaking beauty of the Sonoran Desert to all ages & abilities. Everything from wheelchairs to walkers, and scooters to strollers can be used on these handicapped hiking trails – and that means every member of your family or travel group can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime memorable experience.

Flying standby on Phoenix adventure tours

Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker were such a great movie pairing, the box-office smash “Rush Hour” became nearly a billion-dollar film franchise. Now, Wild Bunch Desert Guides is hoping to make another kind of “Rush Hour” a success by putting last-minute requests together with a standby guide for Phoenix adventure tours.

New year, renewed resolve for same great Phoenix hiking tours

So, how did you spend your New Year’s Eve? Did you watch one of the many TV specials to catch the famed ball dropping in Times Square? Maybe you went out for dinner or drinks or dancing (or a combination of those activities) with friends or family? Was there an epic party at your house or somebody else’s home that will never be forgotten? Perhaps there was a fireworks display to help mark the turning of the calendar? However you celebrated the moment, here is wishing this was the start to your best year yet in 2024 -- and that before, during or afterward you found some personal time to review the previous 365 days and take stock of your many blessings. The only New Year’s resolution the owner of Wild Bunch Desert Guides annually makes is to look back with gratitude to the people and experiences who were part of another memorable trip around the sun.

Phoenix adventure tours ‘Come Together’

The Beatles first released “Come Together” nearly 55 years ago. The lead track on their iconic “Abbey Road” album not only hit No. 1 on the singles charts, but also has been covered by several wildly diverse artists over the years from hard rock (Aerosmith) to pop (Michael Jackson). Now, a group of Phoenix adventure tours operators have joined forces to sing a similar message of unity and better serve their visitors to the Valley of the Sun.

Phoenix mountain bike tours on a roll

The details differ dramatically. And there is no question who you’d prefer rapping to the laidback beat. But I can’t help but sing along in agreement when Ice Cube concludes in one of his biggest songs, “It was a good day.” That 1990s hit summarizes simply and perfectly an epic 24 hours recently for this little old owner of a Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours guiding company.

‘Family’ makes Phoenix hiking tours great

From Goodfellas to the Godfather trilogy, I love all mob movies and TV shows. The most famous scene from them all is so legendary it has been aped for comedic relief in a number of programs from a wide variety of genres – including in the TV mob classic The Soprano’s. Surely you have seen Al Pacino, as a mentally tortured Michael Corleone in Godfather III, complaining about his failed attempts to leave the mob life. “Just when I thought I was out,” the countless Pacino impressionists have said with a rising level of anger, “they pull me back in!” I hate to admit I felt that same sort of anxiety initially while needing to help a friend with a Phoenix adventures tour last spring. However, the experience reminded me what’s great about both our relationship and a certain iconic challenge in our industry.

Be my guest on Phoenix hiking tours

Everywhere I went this summer during vacation in Colorado, I kept hearing the name and seeing the brochures of Irwin Guides -- the rags-to-riches adventure tour company that turned into a billion-dollar international business. Since I am the type of person who believes in signs, I finally stopped wrestling with the decision and went ahead to follow my fate by booking a mountain bike tour with Irwin. I am SOOO glad I did!!! By becoming a guest again instead of a guide allowed me to take a long hard look at myself and my own Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours outfit.

Groupthink changing for Phoenix hiking tours

While casting about for a post-college sport after my fastpitch softball career was over, mountain biking pulled me in more than any of the other extreme thrills biding for my time. So, my Wild Bunch Desert Guides is a perfect extension of my passion for life behind a set of handlebars, and I absolutely LOVE any chance to expose guests to my sport-of-choice with Phoenix mountain bike tours. However, when guests are asking about a large group activity in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix hiking tours are the better choice – primarily because everybody is travelling at a similar speed and sharing the same superb experience.

Potholes aplenty for ‘arrive & drive’ Phoenix hiking tours

Planning an extended weekend getaway with your best friend or significant other? Avoid looking for an adventure on the day of your arrival is the advice from this Phoenix adventure tours owner. Don’t put yourself in a mad rush and feel like you need to squeeze in everything. Focus on what matters most to maximize your fun and avoid any frustrations, including those costly late cancellations.

Reasons to remember our Phoenix hiking tours

As the movie “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion” made hilariously clear, “Post-It Notes” are one of the greatest inventions of all time. Some people also use desk calendars, written to-do lists or magnetic notepads on the fridge to remember the most crucial – but easily forgotten -- details in their life. Still others utilize the “Reminders” Apps on their phone or computer to recall these essential but maddeningly escapable action items. Whatever your chosen method, though, be sure to jot down somewhere these most important facts about Phoenix hiking tours if considering an unforgettably memorable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure with the Wild Bunch Desert Guides.

Phoenix hiking tours: Early birds avoid the heat

Arizona’s annual blast furnace is back in the national headlines. Already known as the hottest big city in America, Phoenix is experiencing a record-smashing heat wave that has created havoc, including third-degree burns for victims unfortunately coming into contact with the broiling pavement. So, how do Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours manage such sweltering conditions?

The Yin and Yang of Phoenix hiking tours

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.

Phoenix hiking tours: Colorado here we come!

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.

Avoid Phoenix hiking tours last-minute challenges

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.

Kids Day every day on Phoenix adventure 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.

Phoenix adventure tours ‘Elite Eight’

“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.

Phoenix hiking tours: Be spontaneous & open to new experiences

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.

Phoenix hiking tours wins with Super team

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.

Phoenix hiking tours safest Super Bowl bet

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!

Phoenix mountain bike tours a good call by ref

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.

Phoenix hiking tours: Happy New Year!

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.

Merry Christmas, Phoenix mountain bike tours

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.

Finding fulfillment on Phoenix hiking tours

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.

Date Night ideas in Phoenix? Try Phoenix adventure 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.

Gobbling up Phoenix adventure tours

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.

Sunrise or sunset: Phoenix hiking tours shine

“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.

Vote for Phoenix hiking tours fun

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: No tricks; just a treat

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.

Things to do in Phoenix in February

Arizona’s “Valley of the Sun” is a popular destination for everybody from Snowbirds to Spring Breakers to escape the worst of the winter weather. That has helped make Phoenix the epicenter for a “Frantic February” of annual events ranging from Major League Baseball’s spring training to the PGA Tour’s party-hearty Waste Management Phoenix Open to the world-renown Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction. But 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 2024.

Phoenix hiking tours: ‘Nightmares on Cactus Street’

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.

Phoenix hiking tours: How I spent my summer vacation

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.

‘Groupies’ limited on Phoenix hiking tours

Movies such as “Almost Famous” and “The Banger Sisters” put Rock N’ Roll groupies in the spotlight. However, this Blog addresses “groupies” of a different kind – with corporate outings, both large and small, trickier propositions than one might think for Phoenix hiking tours and Scottsdale mountain bike tours. That is especially true for a small mom-and-pop specialty shop with limited resources such as the Wild Bunch Desert Guides. Group outings for Camelback Mountain hikes are also impossible for any Phoenix adventure tours operator of any size because of safety concerns.

Phoenix hiking tours vow: ‘Every step I take’

Ever get the incredibly calming feeling of having a Guardian Angel peering over your shoulder? The founding owner of Phoenix hiking tours operator Wild Bunch Desert Guides can relate to having a watchdog keeping her safe with every move she makes. Now, she honors the memory of her little angel with every step she takes guiding Phoenix adventure tours – and by showing off the natural beauty they experienced together on so many hikes in Phoenix and beyond.

New heights for Phoenix hiking tours

The Wild Bunch Desert Guides open a new chapter this week in their history of providing five-star rated Phoenix adventure tours. Founding owner Laurel Darren is turning her annual summer retreat into a working vacation by adding Colorado hiking tours in the remote tourist destination of Lake City CO. Here is a detailed look at the natural beauty to be discovered on the five trails offered in our new service.

Recent Blog Posts

Winning selection: ‘Elite Eight’ of Phoenix adventure tours

“Selection Sunday” is March 17. Three weekends after that, “March Madness” for college men’s basketball concludes with the “Final Four” in Phoenix. If making a fastbreak to the Valley of the Sun for “The Big Dance” – or even visiting for spring training baseball or Spring Break from school -- here is an “Elite Eight” list of must-do Phoenix adventure tours.

Phoenix hiking tours: Lights! Camera! Action!

I have heard comparisons before to Drew Barrymore, with everyone from friends to guests noting I have a similar “crazy chick vibe” to the iconic actress and current talk show host. But recently, I got to step into Drew’s shoes for a glimpse into her world under the lights, with a camera crew turning the desert trails for guided Phoenix hiking tours & Phoenix mountain bike tours into a sort of movie set with me starring in a production all about my life.

Phoenix adventure tours guide all revved up

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is fast approaching the 40th anniversary of the classic movie’s 1986 release. While I work hard – and juggle a lot of side gigs with the same fervor – I identify with the iconic film for a couple of reasons. For starters, I am a Midwestern native, growing up a short car ride away from Chicago and its suburbs, the setting for the high school hookie adventure. And like the main character, I believe in playing hard, too – sharing in Ferris’ motto that, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Which brings me to one of my latest thrill-rides …