Ranger Dan: 87.3 Saguaro National Park - Rincon Mountain District

Date Of Visit: May 29, 2025

As we arrived in Tucson, we decided to visit the Rincon Mountain district of Saguaro National Park as we did not want to end up at the hotel too early to get a room. We ended up visiting the Visitor Center and driving the loop. There is an accessible trail that we might have done if we had not discovered Mik's wheelchair had two flat tires when we got there because Dad had decided to go off roading for some photos at the last stop at a rest area and the wheels got filled with burrs (by the way, wheelchair repair places are useless if you want a fix in less than a month, but thankfully it only took two bike shops next door to each other to find the right size tubes and get his wheels fixed and we got a patch kit that Dad had to use a few days later due to a missed burr on one tire).

 

Previous Visits to this Unit:

• 87.1 Tucson Mountain District
• 87.2 Saguaro National Park - Rincon Mountain District

See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks Visited here.

Out Koffee Trail: Fire Grounds Coffee Station 1

Date: June 6, 2025

Location: Fire Grounds Coffee Station 1, Canton, TX

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

We got a late start staying on south side of Dallas this morning due to needing an oil change. We almost skipped doing a coffee shop and Dad even considered just going to HeBrews in Louisiana for lunch, but since we did get a late start we would likely hit that too late in the afternoon for even a late lunch. I ended up finding Fire Grounds Coffee Station 1 located near the I-20.

I got Smoke Showing (espresso, white chocolate, toasted marshmallow) and Mik got the same iced. Mom got an Iced Vanilla Latte.

Dad got Dark Roast Coffee.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: The Coffee Box - Downtown El Paso

Date: June 5, 2025

Location: The Coffee Box - Downtown, El Paso, TX

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

We stopped at The Coffee Box as we got on the road in El Paso this morning. The Coffee Box is in a repurposed shipping container in the corner of a parking lot in downtown conveniently only a few blocks off I-10.

The menu had a lot of variety, so it took us awhile to decide what to order. Mik actually texted me when we were almost done saying he hated the coffeeshop because it was taking so long, but really it was mostly us trying to decide what to order and they were pretty quick, especially considering there was a steady steam of people walking up to order and there was only two people working.

I got s Horchata Oat Mil Latte and Mik got a Cocorchata (Coconut Horchata).

Dad got a Taro Oat Milk Latte and Mom got a Mochasino (mocha with ice cream).

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: Lemon Grove Coffee

Date: June 4, 2025

Location: Lemon Grove Coffee, Lemon Grove, CA

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

As we hit the road to head back east this morning, we took a slight detour to Lemon Grove as it was a non-Starbucks coffeeshop open at 6am.

Dad and I got lattes from their Spring Drinks menu. Dad got the Beltane Fire Latte (rose, honey, cinnamon, cayenne). I got the Wildflower Bloom Latte (lavender, rose, elderflower, honey). Mom got one of their specialty lattes, an Iced Hawaiian Creme Brulee Latte (caramel, white chocolate, macadamia nut).

Mik was already asleep, so we just got him banana bread. Dad also got a slice of zucchini bread.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: Pink Rose Cafe

Date: June 3, 2025

Location: Pink Rose Cafe, La Mesa, CA

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

Mik's choice for today was the Pink Rose Cafe.

I got a Honey Rose Latte.

Mik got an Iced Honey Rose Latte and a sprinkle cookie.

Mom got an Iced Raspberry White Mocha and Dad got a Cortado Espresso.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: Old West Java

Date: June 2, 2025

Location: Old West Java, Yuma, AZ

Rating: 👍 (Like, no Decaf)

Since our hotel did not have breakfast, Dad and I went to Old West Java to get coffee before we made breakfast and packed up the room.

Dad got the Signature Latte (signature syrup that includes cinnamon and the rest is a secret). For Mom we got the Chocolate Abuelita Frappe. I got the Howdy Latte (caramel, white chocolate, and butter pecan syrup).

I also got banana bread and Mik a chocolate muffin. Mik liked the muffin, but wished we had gotten him banana bread because you do not see that as often as chocolate muffins.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: Roadrunner Coffee Co.

Date: May 31, 2025

Location: Roadrunner Coffee Co., Tucson, AZ

Rating: 👍 (Like)

We visited the Wetmore drive thru location of Roadrunner Coffee Co. for this morning's coffee.

Dad got an oatmilk latte.

Mik and I both got an Iced Ragin Roadrunner (espresso, chocolate sauce, banana syrup). Mom got a Marana Mocha (dark chocolate and white chocolate sauce, creme de menthe syrup).

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: Chocolate Iguana

Date: May 30, 2025

Location: Chocolate Iguana, Tucson, AZ

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

As kids Mik and I used to go to Chocolate Iguana regularly for candy. Back then it used to be located on 4th Avenue and was a short walk from our house (or drive in our toy Jeep back when we fit in that). It has moved several times over the years and is now way on the north side of town, but ended up being convenient to check out the current location this trip as we stayed in that area.

We mainly stopped in because Mik wanted to get some candy. The selection was not quite as good as we remember, but there were still some of our favorites including Zotz, Hubba Bubba, and C. Howards.

We also decided to get drinks and shared a large pistachio muffin.

Mom got an Iced Pistachio Latte and I got an Iced Dubai Latte.

Mik got a Passion Fruit Italian Cream Soda.

Dad had the speciality, the Chocolate Iguana, which is chocolate milk with espresso and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Mik also got a Red Velvet Muffin to take back to the hotel for latter.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: Copper Kettle Coffee

Date: May 29, 2025

Location: Copper Kettle Coffee, Deming, NM

Rating: 👍 (Like, no Decaf)

We started our day in Las Cruces, which had quite a few interesting looking coffeeshops, but none were open when we were ready to hit the road at 6:30am. Thus, we decided to stop in Deming for coffee instead.

Copper Kettle Coffee was conveniently located not far off the exit in the downtown Main Street area of Deming.

They had a wide assortment of Torani flavors including about 8 to 10 sugar free options. I got a Toasted Marshmallow Latte, Dad got a Flat White w/ Oat Milk, Mom got an Iced Caramel Cappuccino, and Mik got an Iced Cookie Dough Latte. We enjoyed having a variety of flavors to choose from, but I was disappointed they did not have decaf.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: HeBrews Coffee & Eats

Date of Visit: May 27, 2025

Location: HeBrews Coffee & Eats, Rayville, LA

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

This morning we ended up at Starbucks for our first cup of coffee because it was right next to the hotel and with the hour tornado delay yesterday and more storms to go through this morning, we choose not go 15 minutes each way off the route for the closest local option. As we got through the storms, I started looking for an option for our second cup and found HeBrew Coffee & Eats was not far off the I-20.

Having previewed the menu, I originally planned to get the Bayou Mocha Latte or the Old Oak Latte (brown sugar cinnamon and mocha latte). Once we got there and I saw the descriptions for the Seasonal Lattes, though, it was a tough decision between Cherry Blossom Latte and Dubai Latte (pistachio chocolate). I ended up with an Iced Dubai Latte as I love pistachio lattes.

Mom got an Iced Cherry Blossom Latte and Mik got an Iced Pelican Latte (brown sugar cinnamon and honey). They both enjoyed them, but Mik wished he had gotten a large, which is very unusual because he always gets a regular/grande size and sometimes does not even finish that.

Dad got a Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie.

If the time of day works out right on the way home, we will definitely be stopping at HeBrews Coffee & Eats again so I can try a different latte and Mik can get a larger one next time. Only bummer was they don't do decaf, but they can do half-caf.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Related Links:

• Wheelchair Travel Adventures: HeBews Coffee & Eats

Our Koffee Trail: C3 Coffee Co.

Date: May 26, 2025

Location: C3 Coffee Co, Conway, SC

Rating: 👍 (Like)

We did not get on the road as close to 5am as planned, but that meant that we hit Conway right after 6am, so we could get C3 Coffee Co. instead of Starbucks.

Dad and I both enjoyed the seasonal Blueberry Muffin Latte. Might have to go when we are back home to have again.

We got Mom the seasonal Chocolate Cheese Puff Cold Brew, which both Mik and her enjoyed sharing (Mik doesn't like getting anything not in a bottle when in the car).

Mik enjoyed the Bacon Croissant Breakfast Sandwich once it cooled off enough to eat.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Previous Visits to This Coffeeshop:

• April 23, 2025

Snow in Myrtle Beach

Not the first time we've seen snow in Myrtle Beach, but by far the most and longest lasting. Mik even wanted to go outside and get some pictures in the snow. Unfortunately, it was too dry to be able to make a snowman.

Our Koffee Trail: Grand Strand Coffee - Fall Family Sunday Coffee Walk

Date of Visit: October 13, 2024

Location: Grand Strand Coffee, Myrtle Beach, SC

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

Mom, Dad, Mik, and I enjoyed a Sunday walk to Grand Strand Coffee. I got my favorite fall drink there, which is the Maple Pumpkin Spice Latte (iced as it did not feel like fall today). Mom got iced coffee, Mik got the Pan Van Latte, and Dad got the Lavender Haze Latte.

Previous Visits to This Coffeeshop:

• July 17, 2024

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: Java Drip Coffee

Date of Visit: June 29, 2024

Location: Java Drip Coffee, Gallup, NM

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

Last night we noticed a coffeeshop named Thanx a Latte when exploring Holbrook, Arizona, where we stayed the night. We considered going there before hitting the road this morning, but it was not open on the weekend. In searching where we could go instead, I found Java Drip Coffee in Gallup.

When I showed Dad the picture of the place, he called it the coffee shack. It is a good description, but it is also a good design for a small drive through place, especially since it was set up to have a window on each side so could take the order on one side while finishing up the other side's order.

The menu has a lot of variety. When we were stopping, Mik said he did not want anything, but then he saw the menu and decided he needed to try something, too.

I had a Toasted Marshmallow Latte.

Mom had an Iced Black & White Mocha.

Mik had an Iced Turtle Pie.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Our Koffee Trail: Cafe Maggie

Date of Visit: June 21, 2024

Location: Cafe Maggie, Tucson, AZ

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

Cafe Maggie is what used to be Epic Cafe when we lived in Tucson. It was one of Mik's favorite places to go in our neighborhood. Thus, when visiting Tucson for his 30th birthday, it was a must to stop in.

Mom, Mik, and I got Peanut Butter Mochas, which back in 2020 and Dad and I were in town and found Epic closed were afraid would no longer be available. We later learned they just went under a change in ownership and name, but kept the menu...or at least our favorite stayed!

Dad got a Dirty Horchata.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.