Grand Canyon, Great Friends, and a Sawdust Toilet: Arizona Off the Grid





Grand Canyon, Great Friends, and a Sawdust Toilet: Arizona Off the Grid

There’s something magical about hitting the open road - windows down, good music playing, and even better company riding shotgun. As an Iowa girl, I’m used to fields that stretch for miles and skies that change with the seasons. But swapping cornfields for cacti? That’s a whole different kind of beauty.

Before the IIBA BBC Conference in Phoenix, June 2025,  I had the joy of taking a road trip to Valle, Arizona, with one of my dearest friends, Ladee. She suggested a trip to the Grand Canyon South Rim,  and I was thrilled that she chose a unique place to sleep! RV in the desert? No problem, I'm in!!! 

We met through the International Institute for Business Analysis (IIBA), and like all great professional connections, ours evolved into a friendship that has become a true gift in my life. And what better way to deepen that friendship than a desert road trip? It's our third trip exploring Arizona and taking pictures. 

Our destination: a rustic, off-the-grid Airbnb in Valle, 30 minutes from the Grand Canyon, our true destination for the trip. It wasn’t your typical hotel room - it was a converted trailer with its own charm. One cozy bedroom, a bathroom (more on that in a minute!), a kitchen with everything we needed, and a comfy living space that opened out onto a deck made for stargazing. And oh, those stars. You haven’t seen the night sky until you’ve seen it from the middle of nowhere in Arizona. It felt like the Milky Way was close enough to touch.

The drive itself was one of my favorite parts. As we left the bustle of Phoenix behind, the landscape changed from urban sprawl to rugged desert beauty - red rocks, wide open skies, and stretches of quiet that invited great conversation and deep reflection. Road trips are funny that way; the journey often becomes just as meaningful as the destination.

Of course, no road trip is complete without a stop at In-N-Out Burger - a must for any Midwesterner deprived of this West Coast treasure. It’s basically a ritual at this point: burger, fries, and a few T-shirts for my sons back home in Iowa. This time, I was extra excited - the shirts said “Arizona,” making them the perfect souvenir from this sun-soaked adventure.

Back at our Airbnb, we laughed at the quirks that come with staying off-grid. The most memorable? The composting sawdust toilet! Let’s just say, it was a first for me - and part of the charm. It reminded me that travel is not just about luxury, but about stepping out of your routine and experiencing something completely new.

Whether it was soaking in the desert silence, swapping stories on the deck, or simply being present in a place so different from home, this road trip reminded me why I love to travel: it reconnects me to myself, my friends, and the world in small, unforgettable ways.


Saguaro Cactus


Prickly Pear Cactus 






Stopped for some fuel at In and Out 



Driving through Flagstaff on the way to the Stargazer in Valle, AZ




The birch trees catch my eye


Mountains and open space for miles and miles - Who would want to live out here?


Here it is!


Our cozy clean trailer


Complete with a deck






This is a time machine back to my 1970's memories


Oh this sink and the directions for the sawdust composting toilet- so NEW


We arrived just in time for sunset- so breath taking 


Loved these little flowers


My Motto!


Sagebrush and sunsets


The moon! 




Attempting to capture the night sky and I got a little selfie


Zoom in to see the big dipper


Moon over the Stargazer



Those windmills and their beady red flashing lights are in AZ too!


Gorgeous night to see the stars

Thanks for wandering with me—until next time! 🌵📍
– With gratitude and giggles, Heather MM







































 

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