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?)

[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.

[eclipsedeyes.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[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)

[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.