Frodo 0 #1 August 17, 2004 Me & my dad will be driving to Grand Canyon this week, and we'll be passing through New Mexico so I was wondering - what's there to visit? which places, cities, natural wonders, and so on are of interest? (unfortunately dropzones are not included ) nothing that takes too much time though, b/c it would distract from our main goal and we only have 3-4 days. thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #2 August 17, 2004 Carlsbad Caverns. Only takes a few hours and well worth it. White Sands Monument Desert is also cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #3 August 17, 2004 Agreed, Carlsbad Caverns are cool... takes a full day, though. White Sands is neat. Smokey the Bear museum up in the Capitan area is cool, and there's another small town... Lincoln, I believe? where Billy the Kid escaped from a jail, they have a small museum there.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #4 August 17, 2004 QuoteCarlsbad Caverns are cool... takes a full day It can, but doesn't have to. I drove from El Paso, TX to Carlsbad. Toured the caverns, then went on to New Orleans. 27 hours total. Of course I was hallucinating by the end of that drive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #5 August 17, 2004 What route are you taking? If you are going the southern route (I-10), I would agree with the suggestion of Carlsbad. It's mostly desert west of there. If you are going I-40, I would suggest a side trip up the "Turquoise Trail" to Santa Fe. It's State rte. 14, the exit is off of I-40 just east of Albuquerque. Going north is a beautiful drive. You can head up to the top of Sandia Mountain and look down over albuquerque, then keep heading north through Madrid ( a little artsy town...pretty neat to walk around), then continue up to Santa Fe. The Plaza in Santa Fe has great shopping and history. If you can't make it up there, I'd recommend the Sandia Peak Tram at dusk, it's a great ride. Continuing east on I-40, you can see El Malpais national monument just east of Grants...its a giant lava flow from the volcanoes in the region (did you know NM is the second most volcanic state in the US, besides Hawaii?) Or stop at Acoma Pueblo. NM is really one of the most beautiful states in the US...Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #6 August 17, 2004 PK is right - those caverns kickass. Don't miss the Painted Desert either on the way to the grand canyon. Right by that petrified forest. Good stuff. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #8 August 17, 2004 Jemez mountains, and the pueblos around that area. Chaco Canyon.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcandalysse 0 #9 August 17, 2004 I agree with those suggestions. depends on which way you are driving through the state. Acoma Pueblo is definitely a MUST SEE if you are on that route. It is between Alb and Arizona border. I am a new mexico native. Depending on your time, if you are driving I-40, you can drive up that turquoise trail all the way to santa fe, and back down I-25 more quickly to resume the route I 40. The movie 'Silverado' was filmed there.... If you have the time, continue from Santa Fe up to Taos and see the Taos Pueblo. You will recognize it, its a real iconic scene. (BTW 'City Slickers' was filmed around that ride). From either Santa Fe or Taos, you could drive through the Jemez Mtns to Chaco, then into Navaho and Hopi country in Arizona, on your way to Grand Canyon. If you go straight to the canyon, you could spend time in Sedona, OakCreek Canyon, Hopi reservation, see Canyon de Chelly indian ruins, etc. Either way, carry LOTS of WATER and wear a hat when you walk around!!! Its dry and hot!!! If you want more details, PM me... Marc PS depending on when you go, you might be able to watch a pueblo festival with rain dance, or etc.see: http://www.collectorsguide.com/nm/nmfa03.html or: http://www.santaana.org/calendar.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EDYDO 0 #10 August 17, 2004 Can't remember the name, but there is a "commercialized" volcano near I-40. It is mostly drive up and really worth the time. Near there in a protected area is a natural arch that is also a quick and easy hike. I think it is Albuquerque that has an atomic energy museum. Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #11 August 17, 2004 I'm guessing you're going I-10. If so, then a stop off at Tucson and a side track to The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a must. IMHO it's a better bet than The Grand Canyon. I had a better time over 2 days with Old Tucson and the Desert Museum than at GC. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #12 August 17, 2004 I couldn't tell you specific places to stop at, but I drove from CA to OK a couple years ago and New Mexico was so beautiful just to drive through. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mattjw916 2 #13 August 17, 2004 I live in New Mexico... there is nothing here to see... just keep driving... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BikerBabe 0 #14 August 17, 2004 hmmm...don't get out much, do you? You must live in Deming. New Mexico is gorgeous, but I'd have to admit, the northern part is prettier than the southern part. I miss the clean air and the mountains...Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marcandalysse 0 #15 August 17, 2004 Quotethe northern part is prettier than the southern well, the northern part is much greener, but south besides carlsbad caverns you have Silver City in the southwestern corner, and the Gila natl forest with natural hot springs all over....and you can take the back roads from there up through apache forest in arizona instead of I-10 to tucson and north to Grand Canyon..... That is a great ride too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Frodo 0 #16 August 17, 2004 QuoteI couldn't tell you specific places to stop at, but I drove from CA to OK a couple years ago and New Mexico was so beautiful just to drive through.Ok in case we don't have much time and we have to stick to "driving through" - is there a better route than i-40? i heard a quote once that went along the lines of "Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to drive from coast to coast without seeing anything". is i-40 scenic enough, or should we take some state highway that is more or less parallel to it? i'm pretty sure we'll have more time on the way back to TX, so we'll drop by some of the places y'all mentioned. ahh exciting shit! cos I haven't really been outside of tx, except once. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 2,106 #17 August 17, 2004 QuoteQuoteI couldn't tell you specific places to stop at, but I drove from CA to OK a couple years ago and New Mexico was so beautiful just to drive through.Ok in case we don't have much time and we have to stick to "driving through" - is there a better route than i-40? i heard a quote once that went along the lines of "Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to drive from coast to coast without seeing anything". is i-40 scenic enough, or should we take some state highway that is more or less parallel to it? i'm pretty sure we'll have more time on the way back to TX, so we'll drop by some of the places y'all mentioned. ahh exciting shit! cos I haven't really been outside of tx, except once. Yeah- take the Turquoise Trail from I40 to Santa Fe, US84 north (signed to Taos), take Route 4 to Los Alamos by way of San Ildefonso pueblo, follow 4 up over the Jemez mountains, and back to I40 through Jemez Canyon. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES just drive through on the Interstate.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marcandalysse 0 #18 August 17, 2004 Quotetake the Turquoise Trail from I40 to Santa Fe, US84 north (signed to Taos), take Route 4 to Los Alamos by way of San Ildefonso pueblo, follow 4 up over the Jemez mountains, and back to I40 through Jemez Canyon. that's pretty much what I recommended... see if you have time for bandelier anasazi indian ruins, a park just outside of Los Alamos on that route ....it can been seen in a short time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites usedtajump 1 #19 August 17, 2004 QuoteQuoteCarlsbad Caverns are cool... takes a full day It can, but doesn't have to. I drove from El Paso, TX to Carlsbad. Toured the caverns, then went on to New Orleans. 27 hours total. Of course I was hallucinating by the end of that drive. I've hallucinated in Carlsbad Caverns a couple of times. But seriously, if you're time limited the Sandia Peak Tramway is a trip in itself and doesnt take much time to do.The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 2,106 #20 August 17, 2004 QuoteQuotetake the Turquoise Trail from I40 to Santa Fe, US84 north (signed to Taos), take Route 4 to Los Alamos by way of San Ildefonso pueblo, follow 4 up over the Jemez mountains, and back to I40 through Jemez Canyon. that's pretty much what I recommended... see if you have time for bandelier anasazi indian ruins, a park just outside of Los Alamos on that route ....it can been seen in a short time. Hmmm - took me 8 hours round trip to hike to the real "mountain lions" (not the duplicate ones at the visitor center). But yes, Bandelier is well worth a visit even if you only have an hour. There's also a separate (and free) part of Bandelier right on 4 where the Los Alamos truck route turns off. I'ts called Tsankawi, and it has some spectacular views. I used to go there at lunchtimes when I worked at los Alamos.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mattjw916 2 #21 August 17, 2004 Quotehmmm...don't get out much, do you? You must live in Deming. New Mexico is gorgeous, but I'd have to admit, the northern part is prettier than the southern part. I miss the clean air and the mountains... Deming!!? That was a low-blow... I have found that the only people who think New Mexico is "nice" or "interesting" are the people that were born here. Other than the weather, the south has little to offer. "Getting out" in my case generally involves leaving the state to go somewhere interesting like Arizona or California NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BikerBabe 0 #22 August 18, 2004 Seriously, man, you need to get up to Santa Fe or Taos. I think you'd change your mind. ETA: I wasn't born there. I lived there for four years, and I miss it.Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites quade 4 #23 August 18, 2004 Also of "interest" in New Mexico; http://iufomrc.org/ Fun/stupid http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/ Interesting/freekin' awesomely huge I -highly- recommend Carlsbad Caverns, but people have already recommended that to you. My only suggestion is to NOT ride the elevator down but rather walk down the natural entrance -- it's freekin' awesome. You won't believe how large it is until you see it. AND be sure you stick around at sunset to watch the bats leave the cave. Unbelievable. And if you're going from the Grand Canyon to any of these you might also wanna stop in Arizona at; http://www.meteorcrater.com/quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tunaplanet 0 #24 August 18, 2004 Check out the jail from 'Easy Rider' It's there. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 2,106 #25 August 18, 2004 QuoteCheck out the jail from 'Easy Rider' It's there. In Taos (since NM is a big place to go looking for a jail cell).... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
mattjw916 2 #13 August 17, 2004 I live in New Mexico... there is nothing here to see... just keep driving... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #14 August 17, 2004 hmmm...don't get out much, do you? You must live in Deming. New Mexico is gorgeous, but I'd have to admit, the northern part is prettier than the southern part. I miss the clean air and the mountains...Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcandalysse 0 #15 August 17, 2004 Quotethe northern part is prettier than the southern well, the northern part is much greener, but south besides carlsbad caverns you have Silver City in the southwestern corner, and the Gila natl forest with natural hot springs all over....and you can take the back roads from there up through apache forest in arizona instead of I-10 to tucson and north to Grand Canyon..... That is a great ride too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo 0 #16 August 17, 2004 QuoteI couldn't tell you specific places to stop at, but I drove from CA to OK a couple years ago and New Mexico was so beautiful just to drive through.Ok in case we don't have much time and we have to stick to "driving through" - is there a better route than i-40? i heard a quote once that went along the lines of "Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to drive from coast to coast without seeing anything". is i-40 scenic enough, or should we take some state highway that is more or less parallel to it? i'm pretty sure we'll have more time on the way back to TX, so we'll drop by some of the places y'all mentioned. ahh exciting shit! cos I haven't really been outside of tx, except once. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #17 August 17, 2004 QuoteQuoteI couldn't tell you specific places to stop at, but I drove from CA to OK a couple years ago and New Mexico was so beautiful just to drive through.Ok in case we don't have much time and we have to stick to "driving through" - is there a better route than i-40? i heard a quote once that went along the lines of "Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to drive from coast to coast without seeing anything". is i-40 scenic enough, or should we take some state highway that is more or less parallel to it? i'm pretty sure we'll have more time on the way back to TX, so we'll drop by some of the places y'all mentioned. ahh exciting shit! cos I haven't really been outside of tx, except once. Yeah- take the Turquoise Trail from I40 to Santa Fe, US84 north (signed to Taos), take Route 4 to Los Alamos by way of San Ildefonso pueblo, follow 4 up over the Jemez mountains, and back to I40 through Jemez Canyon. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES just drive through on the Interstate.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcandalysse 0 #18 August 17, 2004 Quotetake the Turquoise Trail from I40 to Santa Fe, US84 north (signed to Taos), take Route 4 to Los Alamos by way of San Ildefonso pueblo, follow 4 up over the Jemez mountains, and back to I40 through Jemez Canyon. that's pretty much what I recommended... see if you have time for bandelier anasazi indian ruins, a park just outside of Los Alamos on that route ....it can been seen in a short time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #19 August 17, 2004 QuoteQuoteCarlsbad Caverns are cool... takes a full day It can, but doesn't have to. I drove from El Paso, TX to Carlsbad. Toured the caverns, then went on to New Orleans. 27 hours total. Of course I was hallucinating by the end of that drive. I've hallucinated in Carlsbad Caverns a couple of times. But seriously, if you're time limited the Sandia Peak Tramway is a trip in itself and doesnt take much time to do.The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #20 August 17, 2004 QuoteQuotetake the Turquoise Trail from I40 to Santa Fe, US84 north (signed to Taos), take Route 4 to Los Alamos by way of San Ildefonso pueblo, follow 4 up over the Jemez mountains, and back to I40 through Jemez Canyon. that's pretty much what I recommended... see if you have time for bandelier anasazi indian ruins, a park just outside of Los Alamos on that route ....it can been seen in a short time. Hmmm - took me 8 hours round trip to hike to the real "mountain lions" (not the duplicate ones at the visitor center). But yes, Bandelier is well worth a visit even if you only have an hour. There's also a separate (and free) part of Bandelier right on 4 where the Los Alamos truck route turns off. I'ts called Tsankawi, and it has some spectacular views. I used to go there at lunchtimes when I worked at los Alamos.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #21 August 17, 2004 Quotehmmm...don't get out much, do you? You must live in Deming. New Mexico is gorgeous, but I'd have to admit, the northern part is prettier than the southern part. I miss the clean air and the mountains... Deming!!? That was a low-blow... I have found that the only people who think New Mexico is "nice" or "interesting" are the people that were born here. Other than the weather, the south has little to offer. "Getting out" in my case generally involves leaving the state to go somewhere interesting like Arizona or California NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #22 August 18, 2004 Seriously, man, you need to get up to Santa Fe or Taos. I think you'd change your mind. ETA: I wasn't born there. I lived there for four years, and I miss it.Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #23 August 18, 2004 Also of "interest" in New Mexico; http://iufomrc.org/ Fun/stupid http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/ Interesting/freekin' awesomely huge I -highly- recommend Carlsbad Caverns, but people have already recommended that to you. My only suggestion is to NOT ride the elevator down but rather walk down the natural entrance -- it's freekin' awesome. You won't believe how large it is until you see it. AND be sure you stick around at sunset to watch the bats leave the cave. Unbelievable. And if you're going from the Grand Canyon to any of these you might also wanna stop in Arizona at; http://www.meteorcrater.com/quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #24 August 18, 2004 Check out the jail from 'Easy Rider' It's there. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #25 August 18, 2004 QuoteCheck out the jail from 'Easy Rider' It's there. In Taos (since NM is a big place to go looking for a jail cell).... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
