xterra
So far, so good...
Take my comments as what they are: The observation of someone who has lived in this area for five years and has tried to see lots of it, although not even close to what I would have seen if I'd started before I retired.*
Summary: I think that it's a lot of driving for the amount of sightseeing. The easiest way to change that is by adding an extra day at Carlsbad Caverns.
Here's a more detailed look at my view of the itinerary as Hutch indicated it:
Albuquerque - aerial tram: Good plan! Longest such in the world. Great view from the top from the Sandia Mountains west across the city. Eat New Mexican food, or if you're feeling adventurous, New New Mexican (New Mexican nouvelle cuisine). If you order something and the server asks "Red or green?" the question is about chilies. If you want a mixture and want to sound local, say "Navidad" (Christmas) -- that's red and green mixed. Remember that what is considered spicy Mexican food in the East is considered medium to mild in New Mexico and Arizona. Another tip: If it's too spicy, don't drink water in an attempt to relieve the pain. You want something that has or becomes sugar. Try bread or tortillas.
If there is time, drive to the west side of Albuquerque to Petroglyph National Monument. My avatar is a petroglyph, but not from there.
Day 2-- ABQ to Las Cruces, an hour plus a pit stop in Socorro, maybe another 30 minutes. Then 50 miles (an hour)) west to VLA. Then maybe two hours there. From the VLA to Las Cruces is maybe 200 miles. So maybe 3.5 hours, with another pit stop in Socorro included. A long day, but feasible.
Day 3 -- I would do this differently. In either case, forget the "quick trip to Mexico." First, it wouldn't be quick, and second it could be dangerous. Also, unless you are going through El Paso anyway (Option B below), going from Las Cruces to the border, spenidng time in Mexico, and then driving to Alamogordo would consume a full day.
Option A:
Option B:
Incidentally, this is the time to tell you about water. You need it. Lots of it. In normal non-strenuous conditions at 100 degrees F in the shade, with under 20% humidity, a gallon per person per day is adequate but not excessive. In strenuous conditions, more is needed. One day last spring, the high humidity was 2 (two) percent. Two. There are cases on record of people dying only several hours after running out of water. Dehydration is said to be a very unpleasant way to die.
When I travel more than 100 miles away from home in the summer, I usually have four to six gallons of water with me, even if I know that there are places to stop. I'd rather haul the water and not need it than ... etc.
I should also mention here that in your travels you will be experiencing elevation changes and you should be aware of the effect of higher altitude. Most of the time you'll be above 3,000 feet. If you live at sea level, this could be more change than you would expect. Headaches are common -- and are also caused by dehydration.
Day 4 -- To really experience Carlsbad Caverns, you need a minimum of two days, one in the Cavern, and the other taking a tour like Jodie mentioned. Also, the last I heard, the nearest decent lodgings are in Carlsbad itself, which is 27 miles and an hour north of the National Park; 20 miles take 25 minutes and the 7 miles through the canyon take the rest of the time.
Make reservations well in advance for the special cave tours. To reach the entrance of Slaughter Canyon Cave requires a difficult uphill climb along the side of a steep hill, and if you have any fear of heights, it might not be for you. There are other tours within the Cavern that might work.
Day 5 -- Roswell is a nice town, and the UFO museum was quite amusing. I have never tried to get to the supposed crash sites, so I can't talk about them.
I've just put in what occurs to me. If I think of more, I'll add it. But the big thing is not to underestimate the geography and the climate.
xterra, who is now thinking seriously about a spring (that means early May) road trip.
*If some of you are US citizens over 62, you can purchase a Federal Senior Pass that allows you and several other people free or half-price access to Federal recreational facilities. People younger than 62 (citizens or not) can buy annual passes that also offer the discounts.
Summary: I think that it's a lot of driving for the amount of sightseeing. The easiest way to change that is by adding an extra day at Carlsbad Caverns.
Here's a more detailed look at my view of the itinerary as Hutch indicated it:
Albuquerque - aerial tram: Good plan! Longest such in the world. Great view from the top from the Sandia Mountains west across the city. Eat New Mexican food, or if you're feeling adventurous, New New Mexican (New Mexican nouvelle cuisine). If you order something and the server asks "Red or green?" the question is about chilies. If you want a mixture and want to sound local, say "Navidad" (Christmas) -- that's red and green mixed. Remember that what is considered spicy Mexican food in the East is considered medium to mild in New Mexico and Arizona. Another tip: If it's too spicy, don't drink water in an attempt to relieve the pain. You want something that has or becomes sugar. Try bread or tortillas.
If there is time, drive to the west side of Albuquerque to Petroglyph National Monument. My avatar is a petroglyph, but not from there.
Day 2-- ABQ to Las Cruces, an hour plus a pit stop in Socorro, maybe another 30 minutes. Then 50 miles (an hour)) west to VLA. Then maybe two hours there. From the VLA to Las Cruces is maybe 200 miles. So maybe 3.5 hours, with another pit stop in Socorro included. A long day, but feasible.
Day 3 -- I would do this differently. In either case, forget the "quick trip to Mexico." First, it wouldn't be quick, and second it could be dangerous. Also, unless you are going through El Paso anyway (Option B below), going from Las Cruces to the border, spenidng time in Mexico, and then driving to Alamogordo would consume a full day.
Option A:
the route Hutch indicated: to Carsbad via White Sands and Alamogordo. Leaving LC, your route rises to the San Augustin Pass (the name is neither English nor Spanish, but a deliberate hybrid). On the plain at the bottom eastern side of the pass is the White Sands Missile Range. There is an interesting museum here, with lots of missiles. The last time I was there, I spent about two hours. But I was living in Las Cruces, so I didn't care about the time. To enter the Missile Range, you need proof of citizenship, proof of insurance for the vehicle. You must not be carrying firearms.
From the missile range exit, it's a 50-mile, 75-mph drive to about one mile south of White Sands National Monument. In the 50 miles you will see several roads leading onto the Missile Range, but nowhere for you to stop, no rest areas, etc. Next you will encounter a US Border Patrol checkpoint. The agents will question each person individually, although you probably won't need to get out of the car.
White Sands. Very nice place, very cool -- but not in the summer! The sun reflects from the sand quite well. Sunburn time, even if you have a really good tan. Where are your hat and sunglasses? Driving to the end of the road in the Monument, with stops here and there, and playing in the sand, will take from one to two hours, depending (of course).
So two hours from LC to White Sands, another 25 minutes to Alamogordo.
If you are going to Carlsbad Cavern, you drive east and south through the mountains, then down onto the plains to Artesia. From there, south on US 285 to Carlsbad. Google Maps says this is about 3.5 hours from Alamogordo; I think it's longer. Anyway, it's a long day, with most of it spent driving.
Again, not many places to stop. Skin dry? Maybe a sip of water. (See below.)
From the missile range exit, it's a 50-mile, 75-mph drive to about one mile south of White Sands National Monument. In the 50 miles you will see several roads leading onto the Missile Range, but nowhere for you to stop, no rest areas, etc. Next you will encounter a US Border Patrol checkpoint. The agents will question each person individually, although you probably won't need to get out of the car.
White Sands. Very nice place, very cool -- but not in the summer! The sun reflects from the sand quite well. Sunburn time, even if you have a really good tan. Where are your hat and sunglasses? Driving to the end of the road in the Monument, with stops here and there, and playing in the sand, will take from one to two hours, depending (of course).
So two hours from LC to White Sands, another 25 minutes to Alamogordo.
If you are going to Carlsbad Cavern, you drive east and south through the mountains, then down onto the plains to Artesia. From there, south on US 285 to Carlsbad. Google Maps says this is about 3.5 hours from Alamogordo; I think it's longer. Anyway, it's a long day, with most of it spent driving.
Again, not many places to stop. Skin dry? Maybe a sip of water. (See below.)
Option B:
From LC to Carlsbad, the most direct route is through El Paso and east across US 180. This is another of our famous long mostly-deserted roads. On one 20 mile stretch several years ago, not only did I see no cars going in my direction, none passed me going the other way. Don't have a breakdown here!
This route takes you through Guadalupe Pass, which is interesting in itself, and is the main entry to Guadalupe National Monument, a very large wilderness, and a very empty one. The west side of the pass rises well above the road.
This route takes you through Guadalupe Pass, which is interesting in itself, and is the main entry to Guadalupe National Monument, a very large wilderness, and a very empty one. The west side of the pass rises well above the road.
Incidentally, this is the time to tell you about water. You need it. Lots of it. In normal non-strenuous conditions at 100 degrees F in the shade, with under 20% humidity, a gallon per person per day is adequate but not excessive. In strenuous conditions, more is needed. One day last spring, the high humidity was 2 (two) percent. Two. There are cases on record of people dying only several hours after running out of water. Dehydration is said to be a very unpleasant way to die.
When I travel more than 100 miles away from home in the summer, I usually have four to six gallons of water with me, even if I know that there are places to stop. I'd rather haul the water and not need it than ... etc.
I should also mention here that in your travels you will be experiencing elevation changes and you should be aware of the effect of higher altitude. Most of the time you'll be above 3,000 feet. If you live at sea level, this could be more change than you would expect. Headaches are common -- and are also caused by dehydration.
Day 4 -- To really experience Carlsbad Caverns, you need a minimum of two days, one in the Cavern, and the other taking a tour like Jodie mentioned. Also, the last I heard, the nearest decent lodgings are in Carlsbad itself, which is 27 miles and an hour north of the National Park; 20 miles take 25 minutes and the 7 miles through the canyon take the rest of the time.
Make reservations well in advance for the special cave tours. To reach the entrance of Slaughter Canyon Cave requires a difficult uphill climb along the side of a steep hill, and if you have any fear of heights, it might not be for you. There are other tours within the Cavern that might work.
Day 5 -- Roswell is a nice town, and the UFO museum was quite amusing. I have never tried to get to the supposed crash sites, so I can't talk about them.
I've just put in what occurs to me. If I think of more, I'll add it. But the big thing is not to underestimate the geography and the climate.
xterra, who is now thinking seriously about a spring (that means early May) road trip.
*If some of you are US citizens over 62, you can purchase a Federal Senior Pass that allows you and several other people free or half-price access to Federal recreational facilities. People younger than 62 (citizens or not) can buy annual passes that also offer the discounts.
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I have to pass on that one, as I said the Galapagos and Sacha Lodge devoured my savings (totally worth it mind you), and I still have a small trip to Baltimore for a music festival in late May, so that will probably be all the travelling I'll do this year.