Seven writers find beauty, solitude and adventure along the Southwest's best routes, not to mention some cool destinations.

89Awesome

A tale of two mountain cities and the heavenly road that runs between them

By Phil Hagen

Destination Lost

Riding the range alone, but never lonely

By T.R. Witcher

The Pacific Coaster

California views worth a white-knuckle drive

By Cindi Moon Reed

Death Valley Immersion

Experience new heights by biking to the depths of the desert

By Bob Whitby

The Scarlet Stones of Memory

The Valley of Fire is close to home in more ways than one

By Greg Blake Miller

Toward Zion

After making it through the desert, it’s all uphill—in a good way

By Sean DeFrank

Solitude Is Only Relative

Making friends with the Loneliest Road in America

By Xania Woodman