Calling all Southwest Polkies, trip advice needed

AsSiMiLaTeD

With all the job changes and such lately, the wife and I need to get out of town for a week or two. We can leave in as soon as a couple days, and have already done Christmas with our families, so plan to be gone through the holiday weekend.

So, I need some ideas for my spontaneous "lets take a trip before we both starting looking for new jobs" ...uh...trip.

We're in Texas and it would be nice if we could keep the trip reasonably cheap, so we're thinking somewhere in the southwest where we can drive, we both now have all the time in the world, so an extra couple days for driving isn't a big deal.

We'd like somewhere with mountains and snow, and had our hearts set on going up through Durango and on to Ouray, CO since we've never made it over there, but everything I'm reading says it's a bad idea to drive up there in the winter, so that's looking to be out, bummer.

So I'm looking for ideas, I know we have a few polkies down in that part of the country, thought I'd see if anyone either has any further input on the trip up to Ouray or can recommend something else.

I know the timing isn't ideal being the winter and all, but this is a spontaneous thing, so it is what it is. We want to get some time away, then we both gotta come back and hunder down and find new jobs...

Thanks for any help guys.

Gadabout

Easier trip to make to snow and mountains would probably be New Mexico. The Taos area is pretty nice. It's is a little touristy, but it is also an artist community so the stuff in the shops is usually pretty cool. Also, they burn cedar for firewood there and it makes the whole town smell great.

Lots of other places in the mountains of New Mexico too. Unfortunately, I can't recommend one as it has been years since I have been there.

Scott

txcoastal1

I 2nd New Mexico keeping short drives, lots of scenary, and quite a list for places to visit.
Snow, mountains, caverns, casinos, and Indian resevations.

Where ever u end up enjoy++++

edbert

If you want to head to Colorado, you can always go to Southfork. There are some great little rental houses you can get for fairly cheap. From there you can head up to Creede and possibly Lake City or head west to get over to Pagosa Springs and Durango. If headed to New Mexico, I would also recommend Ruidoso. Great little town that has some cool little cabins just north of town, lots of fun little restaurants and the views are great! You are right about heading up to Ouray. There is no way I would want to drive the Million Dollar highway between Silverton and Ouray if it's icy. I would stay in the southern end of Colorado or head to New Mexico and then plan a trip in mid/late summer to Ouray/Silverton/Lake City and do some jeeping, hiking and fishing. Lake City is a great place to spend 4th of July. You can get more American than the festivities they have going on in that little town on the 4th.

Have fun!!

steveinaz

Greer lodge, do a search.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Thanks for the info guys.

So if we decided on New Mexico, where would be the best place to go to stay / drive through some mountains, we want mountains with snow, that's really our number one requirement.

Jstas

Do the Rt66 thing. Make the whole trip about driving.

Erik Tracy

Lots of places you could go in the SW.

My family drove from San Diego to see my folks in Santa Fe, NM for Thanksgiving and we took a detour to see White Sands park and Carlsbad Caverns. White Sands was a trip - we rented some sliding disks and the kids climbed the dunes to slide down. Bizarre landscape as you would *swear* it all looked like snow - the sand is that white.

Carlsbad Caverns was way cool too.

For more ideas - don't forget Albuquerque and the longest tramway in the world (or so the billboards say) - the trip up to the top is breathtaking. They have a ski resort at the top and a restaurant.

From Albuquerque to Santa Fe, you could drive up the Turquoise Highway for a scenic drive and quaint art shops along the way.

Lots of shopping and museums in old town Santa Fe and native indian crafts and good food too! At night during the holiday season, they will have the "faralitos" lit up which is unique SW tradition for holiday lights.

An hour north of Santa Fe is Taos - more skiing, more art shops, and the Taos Indian Pueblo which is a neat way to spend part of the afternoon.

A road trip sounds like fun! Enjoy the exploration!

thsmith

Big Bend

PSOVLSK

We've been to Red River, New Mexico a couple of times and have really enjoyed it. Small little town with basically one main road running through it.

Systems

A train trip may be cool.
I have no info, but I have seen trains going through the most unlikely places in Colorado.
I know one stops at Winter Park, so it would have to go through some beautiful mountains.
If it went to Steamboat Springs, that would be a beautiful trip as far as scenery goes.

AsSiMiLaTeD

What about the Santa Fe area, any mountains in that area?

Erik Tracy

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

What about the Santa Fe area, any mountains in that area?

Yes. Santa Fe is already at an elevation of 1 mile. There are local mountains w/ skiing.

Albuquerque is about 1 hour to the south and Taos is about an hour to the North: all with local mountains.

The Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque are about a 15 minutes away. Take the tram to the top, ski or hike or just take in the panaramic view while sipping hot chocolate.

Check the weather reports for snow levels.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I think were down to a couple choices, a trip to Santa Fe area or a trip to Ruidodo and Carlsbad Caverns.

Anyone care to weigh in on those options?

Thanks for all the tips so far.

Systems

Are we invited?:biggrin:

steveinaz

Ruidoso is ok, but not as big a deal as everyone makes it out to be. Carlsbad is a MUST SEE.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Ruidoso is set in the mountains, right?

Erik Tracy

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Ruidoso is set in the mountains, right?

Yes. Although it is in southern New Mexico, so if you want to see snow, you may be disappointed this time of year. It is pretty in that area - Cloudcroft is a tiny mountain 'village' in that area as well with some ski runs - don't think it has snow yet. And Carlsbad is in a flatter lower elevation area.

If you want a better chance of snow and mountains then Santa Fe is your better bet.

txcoastal1

Catch Carlsbad on your way in or out....make it a day cause you will be there 3-5 hrs but a must see!!!!

AsSiMiLaTeD

I think we're gonna do a 6 day trip, here's what it looks like.

Day 1 - Drive to Albuquerke
Day 2 - Sandia Peak
Day 3 - Santa Fe
Day 4 - Santa Fe, think there's some mountains around there somewhere we're gonna drive through
Day 5 - Carlsbad Caverns
Day 6 - Drive Home

Rivrrat

Having been there a few times to see family, I give a +1 to the idea of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. If you really want to see a cool small town head into the Sandia's and hit Madrid, and also stop up the road in Cerrillos, the real deal when you want to see a old west town (it's not as touristy as Tombstone).

With where you're talking about going, be ready for snow. This time of the year, I've seen snow in Albuquerque, along with Santa Fe and Taos without going into the surrounding mountians.

thsmith

Rivrrat wrote: »

Having been there a few times to see family, I give a +1 to the idea of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. If you really want to see a cool small town head into the Sandia's and hit Madrid, and also stop up the road in Cerrillos, the real deal when you want to see a old west town (it's not as touristy as Tombstone).

With where you're talking about going, be ready for snow. This time of the year, I've seen snow in Albuquerque, along with Santa Fe and Taos without going into the surrounding mountians.

Rivrrat, I like your sig. Made me laugh.

Rivrrat

Someday my system will grow up and get some self esteem.

txcoastal1

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I think we're gonna do a 6 day trip, here's what it looks like.

Day 1 - Drive to Albuquerke
Day 2 - Sandia Peak
Day 3 - Santa Fe
Day 4 - Santa Fe, think there's some mountains around there somewhere we're gonna drive through
Day 5 - Carlsbad Caverns
Day 6 - Drive Home

Looks perfect have fun

Erik Tracy

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I think we're gonna do a 6 day trip, here's what it looks like.

Day 1 - Drive to Albuquerke
Day 2 - Sandia Peak
Day 3 - Santa Fe
Day 4 - Santa Fe, think there's some mountains around there somewhere we're gonna drive through
Day 5 - Carlsbad Caverns
Day 6 - Drive Home

Just some ideas...not trying to be a travel agent....

Couple of ways to enjoy Sandia Peak and Albuquerque
1) Ride the tram up in the morning and spend a leisurely time up top for some mid-day walking on the peak, something to nibble and drink at the Restaurant, then spend the afternoon/evening in Old Town Albuquerque shopping and dining. Be sure to get a view of the Sandia's at sunset - they turn a *gorgeous* red and if there is snow on the peak it'll be even prettier with white and red
2) Spend the morning in Old Town first and eat lunch there, then ride the tram up to Sandia peak for sunset over Albuquerque to see the night lights from the peak (it'll be cold at the top!).

The drive from Santa Fe to Carlsbad will be about 6 hrs (I did the reverse trip to my folk's house in Santa Fe after spending the morning in the Caverns).

If you leave Santa Fe in the morning, you may miss out on some of the guided tours of the Caverns or spend alot of time there as the tours start in the morning.

Plan on a 'day' to get from Santa Fe to Carlsbad - with a stop in Roswell to have lunch and visit the Alien museum :biggrin:

Book one of the guided tours in Carlsbad caverns - the Rangers will give you a much richer experience with narrated history, background, etc. After the tour you can then wander the main cavern at your leisure to take it all in.

DON'T stay at the Executive Suites in Carlsbad - a bit dumpy...been there...done that

Systems

not trying to be a travel agent....

You missed your calling Erik.:eek:

gwh

If you make it into Arizona check out that impact crater and the petrified forest.....Thumbs up on both.




G

AsSiMiLaTeD

Very thorough and helpful response Erik, mind answering a couple more questions?

Couple of ways to enjoy Sandia Peak and Albuquerque
1) Ride the tram up in the morning and spend a leisurely time up top for some mid-day walking on the peak, something to nibble and drink at the Restaurant, then spend the afternoon/evening in Old Town Albuquerque shopping and dining.
2) Spend the morning in Old Town first and eat lunch there, then ride the tram up to Sandia peak for sunset over Albuquerque to see the night lights from the peak (it'll be cold at the top!).

Of those two, which would you recommend?

Plan on a 'day' to get from Santa Fe to Carlsbad - with a stop in Roswell to have lunch and visit the Alien museum :biggrin:

That's exactly what I plan on doing, didn't want to cut it short at Carlsbad.

Book one of the guided tours in Carlsbad caverns - the Rangers will give you a much richer experience with narrated history, background, etc. After the tour you can then wander the main cavern at your leisure to take it all in.

It looks like there are several tours, so I'll do some research and see which one fits the best, thanks for mentioning the Ranger guided tours, I'll go that route.

DON'T stay at the Executive Suites in Carlsbad - a bit dumpy...been there...done that

We're gonna end up in Carlsbad for 2 nights, got a recommendation?

zarrdoss

I lived in Albuquerque for 7 years and also lived in Ruidoso for 20 years and it is very touristy, they have gambling on the reservation and at the horse racing track, lots of little shops downtown, lots of scenic drives, especially around Cloudcroft and up to Sunspot, lots of Elk Deer and tons of Bears in the area, its beautiful but does not quite compare to the mountains we have here in Colorado. Whits Sands is pretty cool but gets old fast. The Lava beds outside Carrizozo is pretty cool and treacherous. I just talked to my dad (he still lives there) and they don't have any real snow yet this year. I have been to Carlsbad caverns about 15 times and it never gets old and I highly recommend it, bring a camera that does well in low light conditions. also get the guided tour through the Kings Palace and call and book in advance its worth it. The living desert state zoo is kind of cool. Sitting bull falls is kind of in that area. the UFO museum in Roswell. The tram to Sandia is breathtaking don't go if your afraid of heights though, lol.

zarrdoss

I did live in Arlington for a few years and that area is the 7th circle of hell! lol with LA being the 1st.

Systems

Day 6 - Drive Home

Skip this part!:biggrin: