Calling all Southwest Polkies, trip advice needed

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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    Very thorough and helpful response Erik, mind answering a couple more questions?
    Of those two, which would you recommend?

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

    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.

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

    I lived in Albuquerque for 4 years waayy back in the 70s, but have been back several times for both business and pleasure. So if it seem like I have an affinity for NM - well....it is the Land of Enchantment! :biggrin:

    If it were me, I'd take the tram up in the morning, enjoy Sandia Peak and the view, then do some casual strolling & shopping in the afternoon in Old Town - find a nice restaurant that serves some NM enchiladas - get the sampler with both green and red chile - and take in the sunset colors of the Sandias.

    Over Thanksgiving we took the King's Palace tour at Carlsbad Caverns - and we enjoyed it very much, but any of the tours look interesting so just pick one that fits your schedule and curiousity.

    As to where to stay in Carlsbad - I really can't help you there. Just pick a major chain. Seemed like the hotels further south and closer to the Caverns were the 'nicer' ones. Downtown Carlsbad is not a glamour spot :rolleyes:

    My kids joked that our hotel was a 'ghetto' hotel - it was pretty bad.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited December 2010
    1. Mogollon- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mogollon,_New_Mexico

    2. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gila_Cliff_Dwellings_National_Monument

    3. Virginia City, Nevada- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_City,_Nevada


    We always seem to end up in the historic spots when out West.Have Fun ! :smile:
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited December 2010
    Carlsbad caverns and white sands, I did not have the cameras I do now so pics could be better in the caverns.

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  • edbert
    edbert Posts: 1,041
    edited December 2010
    We spent a few days in Alamogordo a few years ago visiting family and went to the White Sands and I got to see a real treat. Apparently the German Air Force utilizes our Air Force base out there in order to do some additional training and stuff. While my wife and I were out there we got to watch a German fighter chasing a Stealth Fighter in some simulated dog fights. It was pretty awesome.
    I know just enough to be dangerous, but don't tell my wife, she thinks I'm a genius. :D

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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    zarrdoss wrote: »
    Carlsbad caverns and white sands, I did not have the cameras I do now so pics could be better in the caverns.



    Nice shots!

    Just a couple more of mine from White Sands:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    edited December 2010
    Maybe someone can help me out here...

    I've been told by several people to visit the nuclear science museum in Los Alamos. The only problem is, the national nuclear museum is in Albuquerque. There is a Bradbury museum in Los Alamos, but I have no idea if that's what Im looking for...

    Anyone ???
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    Maybe someone can help me out here...

    I've been told by several people to visit the nuclear science museum in Los Alamos. The only problem is, the national nuclear museum is in Albuquerque. There is a Bradbury museum in Los Alamos, but I have no idea if that's what Im looking for...

    Anyone ???

    Not sure about Los Alamos - there is the Bradbury Museum - saw the signs but did not go there.

    The museum in Albuquerque is the National "Atomic" Museum - did that - got the refrigerator magnet as 'proof'. :wink:

    It's ok. If you are into American history and particularly that era - it might be worth the side trip as long as you are in Albuquerque.

    Another spot close to Sante Fe that you should consider that is about 1hr driving time away is Bandolier National Monument. We did that with my family and even my kids had a great time. Gorgeous park with a cultural angle for Native Indian history.

    With Santa Fe as your "base" you have lots of options for day trips out:
    * Albuquerque and the Sandia Peak tram w/ Old Town
    * Taos w/ the Indian Pueblo and the quaint downtown area
    * Bandolier National Monument
    * Valles Caldera Park with trails to hike in the mountain area

    And if you can't fit it all in with one trip - c'mon back! :biggrin:

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    edited December 2010
    We did the Sandia Peak Tram and had a great time, would like to do that again when its less cloudy.

    We did the drive up to the Ski Santa Fe place today and it was a beautiful drive.

    I'll check into Bandolier now, and we're gonna do Valles Caldera in the spring on our way back through when we head up to Ouray.

    I was curious about the Los Alamos thing because I've had several people mention it to me, but now that I've tried looking it up I'm not sure which museum I'm looking for...
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited December 2010
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    We did the Sandia Peak Tram and had a great time, would like to do that again when its less cloudy.

    We did the drive up to the Ski Santa Fe place today and it was a beautiful drive.

    I'll check into Bandolier now, and we're gonna do Valles Caldera in the spring on our way back through when we head up to Ouray.

    I was curious about the Los Alamos thing because I've had several people mention it to me, but now that I've tried looking it up I'm not sure which museum I'm looking for...

    Glad to hear you had a good time despite the overcast skies - lots of that going around no matter where you live. :wink:

    Bandolier would be perfect for an overcast day.

    Sounds like you are having a good time - post pics if you get a chance!

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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