Here's a truth bomb for the C-suite crowd: You've optimized quarterly earnings, streamlined operations across five continents, and mastered Zoom meetings at ungodly hours. But when was the last time you took the scenic route, literally?
This April, I'm trading my spreadsheets for speed limits, swapping boardrooms for blackjack tables, and rolling from Tennessee to Sedona with nothing but an open road, a chihuahua named Ethel Mertz, and a luxury RV that would make most hotel suites jealous.
Welcome to slow travel for the perpetually fast-moving. This isn't just a road trip. It's a masterclass in reclaiming your time while still keeping one foot in the game.
Why RV? Why Now?
Let's address the elephant (or in this case, the Class A motorhome) in the room: Why would a FORA luxury travel advisor choose an RV over a first-class ticket?
Because true luxury is control.
Control over your schedule. Control over your stops. Control over whether you want to spend three hours at a random roadside BBQ joint because the brisket smells like heaven. You can't do that on a pre-packaged tour, and you definitely can't do it when you're racing through an airport trying to make a connection.
For executives managing multi-billion dollar portfolios and 5,000+ employee organizations, the RV experience offers something rare: unhurried luxury with zero compromise.
The Route: April 11-19
Stop One: Memphis, Tennessee – Where Rock Meets Roll (April 11-12)
First stop? Graceland. Because if you're going to do a cross-country journey, you start by paying respects to The King. Elvis understood spectacle, showmanship, and living life unapologetically, qualities every change leader should appreciate.
Then it's over to Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, Arkansas (1550 Ingram Blvd). First gaming stop of the trip. Modest compared to what's coming, but it sets the tone: this journey mixes high-stakes leisure with cultural depth.
Stop Two: Pocola, Oklahoma – Choctaw Casino & Resort (April 13-14)
By day three, you're deep into Oklahoma, and Choctaw Casino & Resort (3400 Choctaw Rd, Pocola) becomes your temporary kingdom. Over 2,100 gaming machines, table games that range from conservative to "let's see what happens," and a resort atmosphere that reminds you why casinos became destinations in the first place.
Ethel Mertz, my four-pound copilot, approves of the pet-friendly accommodations. She's basically the CFO of this trip, small but mighty, always keeping me accountable.
Stop Three: Clinton, Oklahoma – Lucky Star Casino (April 15)
A quick but strategic stop at Lucky Star Casino (10347 N 2274 Rd, Clinton). This is where you appreciate the democratization of gaming culture, not every casino needs to be the Bellagio. Sometimes you want a no-frills, honest gaming floor where the locals know the best slot machines and the coffee is strong enough to fuel another four hours on I-40.
Stop Four: Gallup, New Mexico – Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (April 16)
By the time you hit Navajo Nation Gaming (249 E NM-118, Gallup), you're not just gambling, you're on sovereign land, experiencing Indigenous hospitality and culture. The landscape shifts dramatically here. Red rock formations start appearing on the horizon. You're in the Southwest now, and the energy changes.
This is where the trip transitions from "casino hop" to "spiritual reset." The high desert does something to your nervous system that no spa treatment ever could.
Final Destination: Sedona, Arizona – L'Auberge de Sedona (April 17-19)
After nearly a week on the road, you arrive at L'Auberge de Sedona and check into the Creekside Premiere Cottage. This is where the RV gets parked (in luxury RV accommodations nearby, naturally) and you remember why people pay premium rates for curated experiences.
L'Auberge sits on the banks of Oak Creek, surrounded by red rocks that look like they were designed by a particularly ambitious art director. Your cottage has a private outdoor shower, a fireplace, and a creek-side patio where the only sound is water moving over stones.
You've earned this.
Activities in Sedona:
- Pickleball Tournament: Because competitive recreation is how Type-A personalities unwind. The courts here are surrounded by red rocks. Every serve feels like a postcard.
- Frida Kahlo Retrospective Workshop: A deep dive into the art and life of Frida Kahlo through painting and creative exploration. For leaders who spend their days in logic and data, this workshop offers a rare chance to engage the right brain. Plus, the workshop is held in Sedona's art district, expect fellow participants who are writers, retired executives, and creatives from across the country.
What This Trip Teaches You About Leadership
Here's the business case for a luxury RV casino hop:
1. Flexibility Under Pressure
When your route changes due to weather or a last-minute detour, you adapt. Sound familiar? That's every Tuesday in the C-suite.
2. Calculated Risk
Casinos are laboratories for decision-making under uncertainty. Every hand, every spin, every fold teaches you something about probability, timing, and knowing when to walk away.
3. Slow Down to Speed Up
The most counterintuitive lesson: taking the long route often gets you to clarity faster. You can't innovate in back-to-back meetings. You need space. The open road provides exactly that.
The Ethel Mertz Factor
Let's talk about my travel companion. Ethel Mertz is a five-pound chihuahua with the confidence of a Mastiff. She's been to more luxury hotels than most travel influencers and has never met a concierge she didn't charm.
Traveling with a small dog forces you to stay present. You can't just barrel through a schedule. You have to stop, let her stretch, find pet-friendly spaces, and build in buffer time. It's a masterclass in intentional pacing, something most executives desperately need but rarely practice.
Why This Matters for Dale's Angels Inc.
At Dale's Angels Inc., we believe in compassionate luxury, experiences that nourish the soul while honoring your standards. Whether it's a perfectly pulled espresso at our FB Roasters coffee shop, a carefully curated book selection, or luxury travel consulting through FORA, we're in the business of slowing you down in the best possible way.
This RV trip embodies that philosophy. It's not about rushing from Point A to Point B. It's about making the journey itself the destination.
Ready to Plan Your Own High-Stakes Adventure?
Whether you're dreaming of a luxury river cruise, a custom RV itinerary, or an off-the-beaten-path cultural immersion, I can help you design it.
If you're ready to plan your next adventure, send an email directly to felicia.baxter@fora.travel with the subject line: HELP I NEED A VACATION.
I promise: no cookie-cutter itineraries, no "10 cities in 10 days" nonsense, and absolutely no judgment if you want to spend an entire afternoon at a casino in rural Oklahoma.
Because sometimes, the best leadership move is knowing when to take the scenic route.
Felicia Baxter is a USAF veteran, FORA luxury travel advisor, and the voice behind some of the most unconventional itineraries in the industry. When she's not planning trips, she's probably debating the merits of a third espresso or convincing Ethel Mertz that yes, we really do need to leave the hotel room today.