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barbara4rb · 01-16-2008, 10:16 PM

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 · 01-16-2008, 11:26 PM

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 · 01-17-2008, 06:11 AM

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 · 01-17-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

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 · 01-17-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

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 · 01-17-2008, 08:10 AM

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 · 01-17-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

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 · 01-17-2008, 06:54 PM

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

Brad
FF

thecatsandi · 01-17-2008, 07:22 PM

Sarah told me one the way here that it is time for her to go home and her ship is waiting behind the UFO museum.

I am going to miss her.....

barbara4rb · 01-17-2008, 08:03 PM

OK, I hope you don't mind a really dumb question. You are out on the road and still able to update us daily on your adventure! Do you have a laptop with wireless and do the campgrounds have wireless internet? Or are you picking up on the alien signals that originate near the Roswell crash site?

eubank · 01-17-2008, 09:48 PM

What's kind of funny is that the crash site is pretty far outside of town. It's not marked on most maps -- but my dad's old flight maps of the southwest indicate where it is.

Lynn

Lumatic · 01-18-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

What's kind of funny is that the crash site is pretty far outside of town. It's not marked on most maps -- but my dad's old flight maps of the southwest indicate where it is.

Lynn

There are actually 3 different locations, miles apart, that claim to be the official genuine bonafide site.

LHall · 01-18-2008, 07:18 AM

If you are coming across the southern part of AZ from Deming NM, you will pass Douglas, Tombstone and Bisbee which are just south of I-10. Bisbee and Tombstone are great little towns to explore and each have RV parks right in town.

Stella · 01-18-2008, 08:06 AM

I thought Bisbee was so fun and funky ... but this was pre-Airstream so I missed the Shady Dell! So sad about that now. I also loved meeting artsy hippie folks in Jerome, Ariz. and mtn biking in Sedona.
I will save this list for my travels, great thread, thanks all.

thecatsandi · 01-18-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

There are actually 3 different locations, miles apart, that claim to be the official genuine bonafide site.

If I actually go near any on then I will stop. I am not going to make a special trip. 380 to 70. Towards Alamagordo.

LHall · 01-18-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella

I thought Bisbee was so fun and funky ... but this was pre-Airstream so I missed the Shady Dell! So sad about that now. I also loved meeting artsy hippie folks in Jerome, Ariz. and mtn biking in Sedona.
I will save this list for my travels, great thread, thanks all.

We stayed at the Shady Dell over Thanksgiving and had a ball. The town of Bisbee is very much like Jerome and very diverse. There are many great places to eat and shop. The Shady Dell was very cool and the new owner Justin is a young guy who is really into all things from the 50s and 60s. As he puts it " I am living the lifestyle" Our old Airstream fit right into place there and we met another couple from Maine with a new one who were staying there as well.

thecatsandi · 01-18-2008, 07:41 PM

Ok,Carlsbad a Must see.
Roswell. unless you are really into Alien stuff skip it. The town is playing down the alien thing.
Alamogordo: A must see. White sands and the Space museum.
Tomorrow the VLA.

**azflycaster** · 01-18-2008, 07:54 PM

Michelle-
If you are going to take I-40 across Arizona, keep an eye on the weather in Flagstaff. They may get some snow next week and the temperatures are pretty low. If you take Brad up on parking in North Phoenix, let me know. I'll invite myself over for a visit...

thecatsandi · 01-18-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Michelle-
If you are going to take I-40 across Arizona, keep an eye on the weather in Flagstaff. They may get some snow next week and the temperatures are pretty low. If you take Brad up on parking in North Phoenix, let me know. I'll invite myself over for a visit...

I was planning I-40 at least to the creater and petrified forest. I may back track to Winsolw and head down to Payson.
I will keep an eye on the weather. Thanks for the warning.
I may take him up. I am not sure at this point depends on how far I get that day.

Lumatic · 01-18-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Tomorrow the VLA.

If you are going from Carlsbad to VLA you should pass the Bosque Del Apache I think you would be blown away by the birds. You know the VLA is where they filmed "Contact". Are you a Jody Foster fan?. Remember her in Gunsmoke at age 3 or so. You may find the VLA not worth going out of the way for. But it's worth a stop if you are driving by. I camped once at Water Canyon in my VW days, nice campsite. Also Kelly is termed a ghost town. Most of the buildings are gone but the mine is interesting. You can dig through the tailings for purdy minerals. If you go through Datil stop at the store. You can pick up a Datil bumper sticker that says "Jesus loves cowboys and cowgirls". You are now in Catron County, population 3000 or so. Catron County is Copenhagen country and has a law on the books that every able bodied male over 18 must own a firearm. One of these days, just for fun, I'm going to put up some posters in Catron about starting up a commune ala 1968

.