Places to see in NM and AZ

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Don't forget the Tucson area also. You have Kartchner Caverns State Park which has a nice campground. Pima Aero-Space Museum which has a SR-71 and a lot more.

I am not going to make it to Tucson. I have been to three Air Museums (Air Force, Naval, and Commerative Air Force) in the last month. I am airplaned out. I know it is hard to believe. I have seend so amny SR-71s that they are not that interesting anymore. Got to actually touch one at the Air Force Museum.

[safari 28]

Left Ft.Collins this morning and ran into wind and snow on the i-25 corridor. heading your way and cant wait to see anything over 32 degrees. Hope to be in Needles by the weekend with a little luck. Great list on New Mexico. I put that one in a file.

[elolson]

When folks visit me from out of town, my one tried and true day trip is down to Tombstone for the morning, walk the streets check out boot hill as a must see. Then drive down to Bisbee take a look at one big ditch (the Lavender Pit copper mine, rumor has it that PD is doing a survey to maybe bring it back online given Cu prices these days) then go back to town and have lunch at the Copper Queen hotel, walk the streets, and check out the mining musem at the old mine HQ right next door. Maybe take the underground tour and then head back to your rig.

There is great golf here in Tucson. It is 25-35 per person for 18 and a cart at the city courses which are just fine. Our favorite is Fred Enke GC. Check out Desert musem, Pima air museum, and hike through Saguaro National park. Lots of good local shopping and dining. Guess that is why Tucson has been a winter destination for many many years.

In state, we loved Page. Great GC there as well and the best we have ever played for the money. The T's overlook the grand canyon, amazing views. Probably colder than hell this time of year though. A good spot for the night is Fools Hollow State Park in Show Low if you are heading toward the crater. Full hook-ups, 20$/night, and it will be dark and quiet with a lake view. Nearby snowflake has a fantastic GC as well.

Note, do not drive up 191 expecting some kind of a short cut. The road ends for towing in Morenci at the big open pit there. 180 on the NM side is a very pretty drive.

If in Globe, you can stay at the San Carlos Apache Casino RV park which is just a parking lot with hook-ups but the rates are great and it is easy access.

I guess I would not be doing the I-40 corridor this time of year. Cold and windy. It is the ski season this time of year in that part of the state. Just make sure to get a weather forcast. If sunny and clear, then no prob, but if storms are coming through, then stay South.

[lsinclair]

Per Eubank's very useful list of links, I would offer for consideration taking US180 N out of Silver City via Reserve to Quemado Lake (6 mi E off 180 before you enter the small town of Quemado). Forest Service CG with hookups and beatutiful scenery plus the lake. From Quemado, jct 180/60, take US60 E into Springerville, AZ. The possibilities are unlimited, espically if "time" has no value! If you enjoy beautiful scenery dotted by a few quaint little towns along the way, you'll be left treasuring unforgetable memories. The majority of this route is through the Gila Nat'l Forest.
Happy travels,

[TBRich]

Michelle...are you going to make it as far south as Tucson? You didn't reallly say... If you are in SoAZ, it really depends on how long you plan to be around...there's a lot to see in any direction you go from Tucson...

If in the Tucosn area, among other things, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a must-see, and there's a great campground night near there, to0...Gilbert Ray Campground (run by Pima County Parks...Tucson Mt Park)...also nearby is Old Tucson Studios ( index )... Tucson itself is to the east on the other side of the Tucson Mountains.

In fact, we are going over to Gilbert Ray this Friday through Sunday night just to get out of Dodge...er...Tucson... for the weekend...if you're in the neighborhood, drop on by!

TB

[eubank]

Originally Posted by Stan Z

I was in AZ and NM over the christmas/new years holidays. The La Posada in Winslow should not be missed if you like spanish-revival architecture and history and the restaurant is great. Either stop to eat or book a room in the restored hotel. Also if you like vintage trailers stop in Bisbee AZ to see the Shady Dell Welcome to The Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona They also have a handfull of full-hookup sites. I stayed there for 2 nights. Kind of funky, but in a fun way.

Oh, yes, do visit La Posada!. Beforehand, purchase yourselves a copy of this book about Mary Coulter, who designed many of the more famous buildings in the southwest, including La Posada. She's an absolutely fascinating woman!


Lynn

[barbara4rb]

WOW, eubank listed things I've never heard of, and I'm a NM native! :-) Definitely see White Sands, and Carlsbad Caverns. If you can, plan to walk down into the caverns. Bosque del Apache has an RV park north of it a few miles. Now is the time to see the wildlife there.

It's very cold here in Albuquerque right now. Temp is around 20 degrees with a wind. Brrrrrrr

[CanyonCrazy]

Sounds like a great adventure!

I would recommend City of Rocks State Park, in New Mexico, for a night or two. It is on the highway between Deming and Sliver City. Erosional forces over the millenia have created what appears to be a giant boulder field in the middle of a valley. There is an area with hookups (at least electricity) but there are a number of other sites nested in the 'boulders' which are very scenic and great for dry camping. The last time I was there, the park built an observatory which holds star parties on certain evenings. I think that they publish a schedule at their website. You should be able to find a link at the NM state parks web site. The skies are very dark there.

If you plan to be in the four corners, you shouldn't miss a drive through monument valley, just a little ways into Utah. I believe that there is an RV park near Goulding's trading post.


Have fun!

[flyfshr]

Sounds like you have plenty to choose from and now scheduling your itinerary will be a challenge. If you're heading through the north part of Phoenix on I-17 and need courtesy parking, just let us know.

Brad
FF

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by safari 28

Left Ft.Collins this morning and ran into wind and snow on the i-25 corridor. heading your way and cant wait to see anything over 32 degrees. Hope to be in Needles by the weekend with a little luck. Great list on New Mexico. I put that one in a file.

Well Midland, TX 20 last night and a high of 36 today. Burrrr. First time I have been cold in a month.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by flyfshr

Sounds like you have plenty to choose from and now scheduling your itinerary will be a challenge. If you're heading through the north part of Phoenix on I-17 and need courtesy parking, just let us know.

Brad
FF

Brad,
Thanks for the offer. I will keep it in mind.
The current plan is as follows.
Carlsbad today, Roswell tonight and tomorrow morning.
Alamagordo museum in the afternoon and evening.
VLA the next day.
Creaters and petrified forest the next day.
Down to Phoenix.
Then head back to Boise.

[Lumatic]

Did I miss Carlsbad Caverns on the above suggestions? Absoulutely a premier cave in this blue marble. If you are on 285 you're in the neighborhood.

Did someone mention Bosque de Apache Wildlife Preserve south of Soccoro. At this time of year there are hundreds of thousands of migrating birds wintering there including snow geese, sand hill cranes, and the entire population of whooping cranes in the world (a hundred or so).

You are welcome to hang out, howl with the coyotes, and/or park with us in Estancia "the heart of New Mexico" smack dab in the geographic center and the site of the last public hanging in the state. (505)384-8082

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Did I miss Carlsbad Caverns on the above suggestions? Absoulutely a premier cave in this blue marble. If you are on 285 you're in the neighborhood.

I went into Carslbad Caverns this afternoon. Very cool.
Tonight I am in Roswell. Tomorrow Alamgordo.....

[flyfshr]

Don't let any of those little green men try to take parts off your Airstream to repair their crashed "weather balloon."

Brad
FF