New Mexico & Arizona

[Vedette]

Okay New Mexico and Arizona!
It is your turn........to help us plan our trip thru your states this summer!
What should we see?
NM please note we will only be in your NW corner.
We hope to follow the old Route 66 thru Arizona on our way to LA.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[mary and bob]

You can go up the mountain to Los Alamos and see replicas of the two atom bombs, Fat Man and Little Boy I think they were named. We went there over 20 years ago because our son got a summer job there when he was in college. There are interesting cliff dwelling remains nearby, I think that was Bandolier National Monument. Another site near there we hiked up onto a mesa where there were Native American dwelling remains. The son took me to some canyon near there too that's supposed to be like the Grand Canyon only smaller, but I can't remember the name of it. All this was in the Los Alamos and Santa Fe area as I recall. Native Americans sell hand made jewelry in Santa Fe, I believe that was at courthouse square. Some New Mexico residents can clarify or correct my recollections, it's been a long time since we were there. I remember we stayed overnight in Tucumcari, it may have looked like Radiator Springs from the movie "Cars". [edit] All I know about Arizona is a friend moved there and sent me a rustfree 76 Ford pickup to replace my rusted out 78.

[Vedette]

you going to do a 50 state thingy this summer brian. by chance? slow

Hi Mike
No we are going to spread it out over a number of years.
We did 12 States across the North last year, and plan to do 11 (maybe 12) this year in the West.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Vedette]

Mike
You sometimes have to take some time off just for you! Not because you have to go there or you will be there anyway??
Pick some place you think you would really like to see and add it to your "Bucket List" and go there! And remember it does not matter how long it takes you to make it there.
Just putting it on your list will give you something to look forward to! Even if it takes you 40 years to get there!
Took me over 40 years of wishing before I got to Bonniville for the "first" time. And it was well worth the wait!!!!
Good Roads
Brian

[mkitchen]

Lot's of ideas, let's see if I can make a manageable list that works.

Since you mentioned Rt 66 (a favorite route of mine) I will start there. Arizona has the longest stretch of 66, starting at the Colorado and going almost all the way to Ashfork. This run in it self is a great travelling vacation, going through Oatman, Kingman, Peach Springs, Seligman and joining back up with I 40 just before Ashfork. Time can also be spent in Williams, with maybe a trip on the Grand Canyon Railroad from Williams to GC, or just checking out the town. Lots of campgrounds in the area as well.

Then on to Flagstaff. A great historic downtown with neat stores and some very good eateries within the area. Micro breweries abound too. Again some very nice camping within the area. Also check out the Mormon Lake area for some very nice camping. Also in the area; Sunset Crater, Wupatki Indian ruins, Walnut Canyon, and if you like camping, you will find lot's of great trails in the area.

East from there is a lot of historic rt 66 sites including Winslow and Holbrook. A trip to the Petrified Forest is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Just north is Canyon De Chelly. A facinating spot on the Navajo reservation. Crossing over to NM, you should check out Chaco Canyon. A World Heritage site and very worthwhile spot to visit. A campground is there too.

This is just a sampling of some the the things that can keep you busy in the area. On a side note, if you are in the area on the first weekend of May, I highly suggest you catch the Rt 66 Fun Run. It's a rolling car show that starts in Seligman on Friday night/Saturday morning and goes to Kingman and on through Oatman on Sunday, ending at the Colorado River. Lot's of fun and plenty of hot rods with tears. You would fit right in.
Mikey

[stumphugger]

Have You Slept In A Wigwam Lately?

http://www.galerie-kokopelli.com/wigwam/

I guess there are rockshops in Holbrook also. Then, to the west, you can Stand On A Corner In Winslow Arizona. I have not been there since the 1990s, but there was a seedy looking restaurant, with a slamming screen door and taped up vinyl chairs that served outrageously good chile rellenos. It was near the railroad tracks in Winslow. Very near.

I need to look it up, but restoration was starting up at that time on a hotel in Winslow, that was designed by a famous architect. It was a busy place in the 1920s and 30s, run by the Harvey Company. Now, I've got to look it up too.

[stumphugger]

Ah, this is the historical hotel, La Posada, in Winslow. It might make an interesting stop, just to look at.

http://www.laposada.org/

[ssrjim]

If your in Flagstaff you might as well do Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona. One of my very favorite campgrounds: http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAHcGOlk!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110304&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=null&cid=FSE_003741&recid=55268&ttype=recarea&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&pname=Coconino+National+Forest+-+Cave+Springs+Campground

[Wolffarmer]

If you take a swing through the Navajo Rez stop at the Hubbell Trading post in Ganado Arizona. It is about as close to an old time trading post. It is now ran by the National Park Service but is a real operating trading post and a very good way to get some real Navajo art. I won't claim it is cheep. I have 2 rugs from there. If i ever win the lottery I shall return.

In New Mexico there is the nuclear museum at the air base in Albuquerque. Kirkland I think. Who knew there is a museum with nukes in it? Way up in the north west corner there is Chaco Canyon. I have yet to go there but it is high on my list. The road looks like you might not want to take your Study there, But I bet if the weather is good you can make it. You need to repaint this next winter any way. Don't you? ( raz raz ). There is also the Acoma Pueblo.

Randy

[Vedette]

Thanks Randy
We already get a sufficient amount of road rash on pavement, due to the number of miles we log!
I was considering Chaco Canyon but we will either be towing with a ou "Lowrider" Studebaker PU or Sandi's 61 Studebaker Hawk and it sounds more like jeep country.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[wagondude]

We did Chaco Canyon when I was in school. Four door family sedan pulling a popup. Two adults up front and three teens in the back. We probably were loaded down close to low rider status. I remember a tour bus in one area, but that may have been Mesa Verde. Anyway, there are lots of cliff dwellings in the area. Go to the tourism sites for the states you want to visit. they will send you all kinds of information.

[Wolffarmer]

Mesa Verde is very close to North WEst corner of New Mexico and well worth it. As is Hovenweep in Utah. Mesa Verde is all paved, Hovenweep was gravel when I was there in 1983

Randy

[Vedette]

Not that much feedback on this one?
How about great places to eat?
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Wolffarmer]

The Mother Road

[kencunm]

I live in New Mexico. When you say the NW corner can you be more specific? In the far corner is the 4-corners. If you are in Farmington then go to Three Rivers Brewery, great food and ... adult refreshments! If you are going to be further from the very far corner then I guess I need more info. Then I can give you some other ideas.
Above all Have Fun!