.png)
Road Trip to RollerCon
- Aimee Burns
- Jul 10, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 12, 2025
I had plans to attend my first RollerCon in 2020. Obviously, that didn't happen.
Five years later, I embarked on a solo road trip from Virginia to Vegas - not only to attend RollerCon, but to teach my first public class.
On The Road to RollerCon
with help from Star Pass Travels
I decided to take a solo road trip out to RC, so that I could visit family along the way and plan an epic adventure for myself. I worked with Hannah/Angry Penguin Star Pass Travels - we collaborated on finding the optimal routes & driving times for each day, and she helped book all of my lodging to/from Vegas. Working with her was such a pleasure, and took so much stress out of planning (so that I could stress about other things lol). If you, your family, or your team are looking for travel planning assistance, check out Star Pass Travels & help support a fellow derby skater's small business!
My first stop was Gatlinburg, TN, by way of Pigeon Forge & Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Brookside Lodge truly lived up to its name:
Next was Memphis (no pics or sight-seeing this time, but would love to come back and explore Beale Street), then Fort Smith Arkansas, by way of Hot Springs National Park. Despite the heat, I climbed the observation tower to take in the views of the city and surrounding Ouachita National Forest.
I arrived in Fort Smith on 7/4, and got to see some distant (and close-up) fireworks!
Before leaving the next morning, I discovered a nearby trail that ran along the Arkansas River & skated a few miles before hitting the road to Amarillo TX. (Stay tuned for 360 footage of my trail skate!)
I stayed at the super cute Atrea Motel & treated myself to some brisket for dinner:
I continued west towards Albuquerque to visit family for two days & take a break from all that windshield time, before arriving in Vegas on 7/8 to prepare my mind, body, and spirit for RollerCon.
To everyone who helped me arrive in this place, at this moment - a deep and heartfelt thank you. I'll report back once I emerge out the other side of RC 2025!
Comments