So Cal to Taos NM any must stops on the way

[Mr. C]

Well it looks like the wife, kids and I are going to Taos for xmas and yes we're driving:jawdrop:.
I was wondering what must see places are on the way. As of now we are
planning on making it a one day drive(13 hrs), should be interesting.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated even if it means breaking the trip up into 2 days, which is probably the smart thing to do.
Thanks in advance

[Sleek-Jet]

Turn left a Gallup and go to Telluride instead... :D
If you're doing it in 13 hours, you aren't going to have much time to stop and look at anything, that's a pretty impressive time frame.
Flagstaff is a cool town, would make a nice stop over. Though you might get snowed-in in December.

[hkunz]

If you are taking the 40, which could be a bit north for you, the meteor crater in AZ is pretty cool, as is the painted desert. The only problem is that the 40 goes through Flagstaff, and in December it can get pretty snowed in, at least relative to what we are used to in SoCal.

[Ziggy]

AAA might have some points of interest ideas

[HM]

If you can get to Sky City...it is a must see in my book. An ancient city, the oldest inhabited community in the U.S., is a must see. It is a bit more than just a stop and look around. The city is on top of of this butte.
http://www.offbeattravel.com/four-corners3.jpg

[Mr. C]

the 13 hr (930 miles) trip is a gas, piss, eat on the road for the most part. I know i could handle it but i was thinking of the wife mainly, she would like to stop I'm sure. Kids would probably do fine since they have a playstation, xbox, DVD, and even a vhs in the truck.
We have friends in Telluride as well, but this time it's Taos to see my wifes
family for the holidays.
Turn left a Gallup and go to Telluride instead... :D
If you're doing it in 13 hours, you aren't going to have much time to stop and look at anything, that's a pretty impressive time frame.
Flagstaff is a cool town, would make a nice stop over. Though you might get snowed-in in December.

[Mr. C]

AAA might have some points of interest ideas
Planning on going by there as well,
but then again why? We all know ***boaters know everything:D

[Mr. C]

Thanks,
I will look into that, any hotel you suggest staying at if we do this?
If you can get to Sky City...it is a must see in my book. An ancient city, the oldest inhabited community in the U.S., is a must see. It is a bit more than just a stop and look around. The city is on top of of this butte.
http://www.offbeattravel.com/four-corners3.jpg

[Sleek-Jet]

OK... all kidding aside. :D
Downtown Sante Fe does this awesome luminaria display for Christmas, you might check it out, though that would probably be more for when you get to Taos.
There really isn't a whole lot to see or do along I-40 (or I-10 for that matter if you're comming up the south route).

[Mr. C]

I did the mapquest thing and it looks like we will be on 40 a little while, 600 and something miles.
Thanks for the tips and if we get snowed in in flagstaff my trip just got shorter by a bunch:D
If you are taking the 40, which could be a bit north for you, the meteor crater in AZ is pretty cool, as is the painted desert. The only problem is that the 40 goes through Flagstaff, and in December it can get pretty snowed in, at least relative to what we are used to in SoCal.

[Sleek-Jet]

If you want to head on down to Winslow... this place looks kind of interesting, it's a restored RR Hotel... http://www.laposada.org/
But good lord, there is nothing to do in Winslow...

[HM]

Thanks,
I will look into that, any hotel you suggest staying at if we do this?
Sky City Hotel. It is right off the 40 freeway. It is an Indian Casino. It is alright...I have stayed there a couple times. Sky City Butte is about 10 miles from there. I have driven that 40 route quite a few times. The best sunset I have ever seen was driving back about 60 miles east of Flagstaff. The whole horizon was lit up like nothing I have ever seen and understand why they call it the painted desert.
I own a vacation property in Santa Fe. There are lots of cool things to see around there, but nothing I would call a "must see" like Sky City. The old town section in Santa Fe has some pretty cool night life. Lots of hippies in Santa Fe.
Taos should be great. They get some of the lightest snow in the U.S.

[Mr. C]

.
Taos should be great. They get some of the lightest snow in the U.S.
The wife and I went to visit them two years ago and we loved the mountain and the snow. Couldn't even tell you how many lifts/runs we did all i know is my Fricken legs were shot after two full days of skiing(being fat and lazy and out of shape doesn't help either) No lines and had one of the best burgers at one of the huts.
But i guess everything taste good when your hungry.

[OCMerrill]

I did this very trip last year. Left on the 26th, stayed in Flagstaff, then booted rest the way on the following day.
One thing I did not realize is once you climb up to flagstaff you stay at 6,000 feet of so for the remainder of your trip. It's kind of wild to be the high up for hundreds of miles. It looks very flat and plains like and the temptation to drive 100 mph will overwhelm you.
Don't drive over 75. Especially in NM. They consider 77 mph to be a major crime and the DOT cars are freaking silver and very hard to see.
Stop in Santa Fe for whatever you need because your next stop is Taous.
We left on new years day and drove straight back to the OC. 12 hours with just gas stops. Hard deal, especially with kids.

[Mr. C]

Don't drive over 75. Especially in NM. They consider 77 mph to be a major crime and the DOT cars are freaking silver and very hard to see.
Thanks for the heads up on the speed and cop cars, probably won't be hauling ass like that though with the family.
Think I'm going to show the wife about Sky City. Try to make it there by around 5pm, have some dinner do some gambling, get a some sleep and then just have a short couple hour drive in the am.
But then again at that point I'm only a couple of hours away might as well keep going. decisions, decisions.

[PunkAssBitch]

um...not much....
Window Rock & 4 corners...but I wouldn't really call those MUST sees & totally depends on which route you choose to drive. My vote would be for MUST SEES...hands down.....going to good New Mexican restaurants. Yum!
Red or Green!
Can you bring me back some chile? :)

[Mr. C]

Can you bring me back some chile? :)
For you Gramma PAB i would do that:D lol

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

While in Taos, you HAVE to go to Roberto's for dinner. They don't open until 5 (maybe six) get there 15 minutes before they open or you won't get in without a long wait. It is by far, the best and most memorable Mexican (New Mexican) food I have ever had. The same family has owned it for like 80 years. It's in an old adobe house, so each room has 3-4 tables in it, and only about 4 rooms. The atmosphere is unreal. It's like you're going to someone's house for dinner. Make sure you find it on a map before you head out, it's tucked away. Have a good time :D

[rocket98]

If your into Indian jewelry stop at Gallup it's 13 miles inside of NM. About 90% of all of the jewelry goes thru there. Take the retail price and offer them 25-30%. And don't forget the green chile.........the best I've ever had. Gallup also has the El Rancho hotel, it was built by the movie studios in the 1930's for the movie stars while the were filming westerns. Lots of old pictures and all the rooms are named after stars

[HM]

.....stop at Gallup...
I stopped in Gallup looking for Starbucks. I still heard them laughing from 10 miles outside of town. :D

[rocket98]

I stopped in Gallup looking for Starbucks. I still heard them laughing from 10 miles outside of town. :D
Starbuck is deer who fly thru sky.:D :D :D

[Mr. C]

I'll asked my sister in law if she has heard of this place, sounds good though. Always up for good food.
thanks for the info
While in Taos, you HAVE to go to Roberto's for dinner. They don't open until 5 (maybe six) get there 15 minutes before they open or you won't get in without a long wait. It is by far, the best and most memorable Mexican (New Mexican) food I have ever had. The same family has owned it for like 80 years. It's in an old adobe house, so each room has 3-4 tables in it, and only about 4 rooms. The atmosphere is unreal. It's like you're going to someone's house for dinner. Make sure you find it on a map before you head out, it's tucked away. Have a good time :D

[Powerquestboy]

Flagstaff is awesome! Sedona is very cool also, must see if you havent been before.

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

I'll asked my sister in law if she has heard of this place, sounds good though. Always up for good food.
thanks for the info
Oh, yeah. BTW, only open Friday and Saturday and no credit cards.

[Sleek-Jet]

For you Gramma PAB i would do that:D lol
Come back through Hatch and get her the real stuff... :D

[MrsGHT]

Sky City Hotel. It is right off the 40 freeway. It is an Indian Casino. It is alright...I have stayed there a couple times. Sky City Butte is about 10 miles from there. I have driven that 40 route quite a few times. The best sunset I have ever seen was driving back about 60 miles east of Flagstaff. The whole horizon was lit up like nothing I have ever seen and understand why they call it the painted desert.
I own a vacation property in Santa Fe. There are lots of cool things to see around there, but nothing I would call a "must see" like Sky City. The old town section in Santa Fe has some pretty cool night life. Lots of hippies in Santa Fe.
Taos should be great. They get some of the lightest snow in the U.S.
I'm from Albuquerque and love Santa Fe. Speaking of hippies, have you ever checked out Madrid, south of Santa Fe? When we go there, it's like we've time warped 35 years ago in the the '70's. Some of them still live in train cars and make a living on their art. It's pretty interesting and they definitely know if you're a tourist.

[HM]

I'm from Albuquerque and love Santa Fe. Speaking of hippies, have you ever checked out Madrid, south of Santa Fe? When we go there, it's like we've time warped 35 years ago in the the '70's. Some of them still live in train cars and make a living on their art. It's pretty interesting and they definitely know if you're a tourist.
My property is actually in Stanley. Madrid is definitely a funny city. Stanley has a bunch of anti social hippies. My neighbor (1/2 mile away) has a house made out of adobe clay. And, i use the term house loosely. It looks like a box and they have no electricity in it. They do have a barn that has electricity and a few modern amenities like running water and a toilet. :D

[XJBones]

Heading north on 191 off Hwy 40 in east AZ will take you by Canyon de Chelly:
http://images14.fotki.com/v222/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005547-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_547.html)
Then heading east on 264 will take you by Window Rock:
http://images14.fotki.com/v224/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005632-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_632.html)
There is a BIA route that's more direct from Chinle through Sawmill and Fort Defiance into Window Rock but it's a rather rough road.
They have a special school bus just to run the route out of Chinle:
http://images14.fotki.com/v222/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005629-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_629.html)
Then 491N to Ship Rock (or 191N from Canyon de Chelly to 160/64 skipping Window Rock):
http://images14.fotki.com/v223/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005650-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_664.html)
Then 64 East into Taos across the Rio Grande:
http://images20.fotki.com/v220/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005657-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_657.html)
See how excited the kids will be ;)
For a side trip from Taos to Santa Fe there is a route through Trucas, Las Trampas et al that has some really great old churches and towns that can take you back in time:
http://images12.fotki.com/v215/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005115-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_115.html) http://images20.fotki.com/v219/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005106-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_106.html)
http://images110.fotki.com/v550/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005116-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_116.html) http://images14.fotki.com/v224/photos/4/42106/2612775/Vacation2005078-vi.jpg (http://public.fotki.com/Bones/family_trips/four_corners_vacation_05/vacation_2005_078.html)
Bones

[lawbreaker2]

Been across the the whole I-40 thing 100's of time if not 1000's of time, And I always said I will stop on the next trip, and did I ever, NOPE!!!!:mad: I stoped to see a few things, but Not as much as I would have liked.:rolleyes:

[unleashed]

My Grand parents and relatives live in Tijeras above Albuquerque. My grandfather just passed away and he was a part of history in New Mexico. His home is now a historical landmark and will never be torn down. New Mexico is rich in Spanish history before the pilgrims etc. The state has plenty to see and is one of the richest in culture and history!
Deano
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[bigblockbill]

Painted Desert and Petrified Forest is just past Flagstaff and will take about 1-2 hours to drive through and is pretty cool. The meteor crator is not worth stopping at in my opinion as it takes an hour and is just a hole in the ground. Past that Acoma Pueblo (SkyCity) NM which is pretty cool and you can take a tour of it.
Then there's Albuquerque... best known for the Tram which is (was) the longest unsupported cable tram in the world and takes you from the edge of town to the top of the mountain in something like 15 minutes. Also the old town area is pretty popular and a shoppers meca (Indian jewerly, art, and stuff)
Then Sante Fe, which also has a very historic church and the down town plaza where very much like Abq old town has a lot of shopping.
Toas also has a very similar plaza with indian stuff and art. If you're planning on Skiing you'll love Toas (No Snow Boarders). So anymore you pretty much have the mountain to your self, and there's plenty of steep runs and bumps.
Hope you have a great trip!

[PunkAssBitch]

I'm from Albuquerque and love Santa Fe. Speaking of hippies, have you ever checked out Madrid, south of Santa Fe? When we go there, it's like we've time warped 35 years ago in the the '70's. Some of them still live in train cars and make a living on their art. It's pretty interesting and they definitely know if you're a tourist.
I'm also from 'burque :-)
Wondering if we ever crossed paths....for a big town, it's a small world LOL