summer travel, suggestions?

[threeplusfire]

So one of my favorite people is getting married and I'm driving out to California in June to celebrate. On the way out there, we're going to spend Mike's birthday at the Grand Canyon because he's wanted to see it up close for years. Also, it is pretty cool and I haven't been there is more than twenty years. It will nicely break up the trip too.

There is absolutely no way I'm getting on that clear observation deck. No, no, no. My stomach clenches in terror just writing that sentence.

(Also, driving to the Grand Canyon means I don't have to take the trek down I-10, going through both Laredo and LA. This is okay by me!)

For the trip back, we're trying to find some point of interest to stop at and break up the long drive back. Somewhere in New Mexico seems likely. Maybe Los Alamos? Or Roswell?

Comments

[coyotegoth.livejournal.com]

Personally, I've wanted to visit Los Alamos for years. (Is Vegas out of the way?)

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Vegas is pretty out of the way for the drive back, if only because I'm loathe to drive across Colorado on the way home. My memories of driving there involve a lot of narrow roads with steep drops, ack.

Los Alamos though, has some definitely compelling bits.

[brienze.livejournal.com]

I've never been to the drive-thru states between here and California, but I have a friend who lives near Santa Fe, and says it's a great place to visit. Lots of arts, architecture, history, and pretty scenery. I can get his recommendations for restaurants if you decide to go there... Hatch on everything, and at least one place that's been on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Mmmm Hatch peppers on EVERY FOOD. It's like a dream, a delicious dream.

[eclipsedeyes.livejournal.com]

I really really liked Santa Fe, if it's not too far North. Great food, colourful people and architecture.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I hear it is very pretty and seems to be winning the votes here. We will probably end up driving across the northern end of NM.

[splix.livejournal.com]

You could always cruise by ABQ and say hello. I won't be around the latter part of June, but otherwise, consider it! :D

Alternatively...I would avoid Roswell. It's flat and depressing and there's really nothing to see. The alien museum is so sad...it's worth visiting only to see how sad it is. Ruidoso is really pretty - it's a resort-y town and there are mountains nearby.

But I would recommend Taos/Los Alamos/Santa Fe. Los Alamos has spectacular views and of course there's the history of the place that's fascinating. The Bradbury Science museum is very "YAY ATOM!" but it is interesting nonetheless. There are still Manhattan Project-era buildings there, and some you can visit.

Taos is very pretty, very arty, and mellow. Santa Fe is busier, but there's tons of culture - the Palace of the Governors, the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, and a couple of other art museums are great, the center of the city is very pretty, it's easy to walk around, and you can find good food. For my money, I prefer Albuquerque food, but SF food has the advantage of more picturesque surroundings.

All three are within a couple of hours' drive of each other, so if you're planning to do a day trip, you can reach them all, but you're probably best off with Los Alamos and Santa Fe.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I knew you would have the scoop! I think Mike is most interested in Los Alamos so that's my tentative plan so far.

When we get a better idea of our driving plans/route, I'll see about squeezing in some stop over time in ABQ. I think we're going to pass right through there given our itinerary.

[splix.livejournal.com]

You can easily, easily do both Los Alamos and Santa Fe in a day or two. LMK when you have concrete plans!

[halfacork.livejournal.com]

If it wasn't June I'd try to meet up in whatever part of Cali you'll be in but we'll be hermits the first month James is home.

(Please let him be hOme)

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I kind of thought so. :) (My money is on James coming home around his original due date time, fwiw.)

[halfacork.livejournal.com]

For a little while I thought maybe even a little sooner but his feedings have really regressed since they messed with his oxygen. :-(

[halfacork.livejournal.com]

And now they put him back on oxygen which I thought would be for the best, had been asking pointed questions about, but I still burst into tears. I hate myself right now.

In other news, doni vaguely recall the wedding is in Monterey? Does that mean you are driving on the coast because you should get tickets for Hearst Castle which you do have to get online ahead of time. You (& Lucius) would love it.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

OMG HEARST CASTLE. I have wanted to go there for decades, ever since I was a freaky fifteen year old obsessed with journalists.

[halfacork.livejournal.com]

You need to do Tour 2, I think it is Tour 2, with the library and the kitchen and the golden tower room. Whichever that one is, even though all the guide books say do tour 1. Libraries and kitchens!

Hearst Castle is in San Simeon, which mapquest is telling ne is 2 hours south of Monterey. I don't remember the drive being that long but I am prone to bouts of unconsciousness in the car. I lOve that entire area. Is it even Monterey or am I crazy? There's a really good place to eat that looks like a five but is actually all fancy just up from Cannery Row, The Sardine Factory. Pricey but yum. Also pricey there's Spindrift Inn which is on Cannery Row, near the Aquarium but if someone is already going to pay that much, pay even more for the water view. Cannery Row side is loud but the water view is fab.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

It is indeed Monterrey. I am thinking of going to the beach at some point, since I drove all that way I might as well stick myself in the ocean. Aside from that horrible sojourn in LAX I've never been to California.

[halfacork.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. There's a bit (very very small bit) of sand in front of Spindrift on low tide. Most of the coast around there is rocky though I think part of 17 Mile Drive near Pebble Beach might have some? I know it has vista stops that show lovely views.

And I feel I can honestly say after living out here near ten years time, LA sucks. The. Central Coast is more my style but alas.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

My friend is getting married at Pebble Beach. (Dude that is just the coolest thing, I'm really ridiculously excited about their wedding plans.) So somewhere along the way I'll find the time to stick my feet in the water at least.

I would tell you again to move here, but given how we're about to gut our public school system that is probably not so great. :/ Maybe we should start buying lottery tickets instead.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Also, it is totally okay to cry. You know Bill would tell you that.

[halfacork.livejournal.com]

It feels like all I do is cry these days. I'm so sick of myself. I was so stressed out feeding him today I literally tied myself in knots and both James and I ended up crying. Sigh

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I wish I could provide more concrete assistance. But I am part of your internet cheering section. Now if we could just get the Internet Cursing section lined up properly, and the De-Cursing, and then maybe the Potions...

[halfacork.livejournal.com]

Indeed!

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

Eric and I went to ABQ for our honeymoon. I love that town; it's laid-back and very Austin-y in it's own way. But if you want to blow some cash, take the cable car up to the top of Sandia Peak and have some dinner at High Finance. It's an amazing view! Say hi to my mom- we scattered some of her ashes up there.

http://www.sandiapeakrestaurants.com/highfinance/

http://imageevent.com/mielikki/abq

We also went to Santa Fe- everything's much more fancy-pants and expensive there, but you can do some amazing window shopping in downtown Santa Fe; I still remember a beautiful platinum with sapphire rings for $40k (I did not buy it).

The last 40 pics of these wedding pics includes the honeymoon.

http://imageevent.com/mielikki/mielikkisstuff

From ABQ, we came back to Texas via Roswell, but it was flat and sad and boring. But we were able to hit Carlsbad Caverns, which are amazing if you're into the whole cavern thing, it's like a dwarven kingdom.

http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

The only downside of that is you'll probably be coming back to Austin via IH10, which is the most brain-meltingly boring stretch of road ever.

Ruidoso is beautiful; I wish I could live there sometimes. White Sands is also pretty nifty.

If you can make it to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, it's much nicer than the south rim. Lots less people, and higher elevation so it's noticeably cooler.