So we finally did it. We retired and bought our pickup and 5th wheel. We are planning on hitting the road Mid March from Colorado Springs, CO. We are planning on heading south to New Mexico and westward through Arizona ending in Rosamond, CA to see some friends who have also just retired and may join us on some of our journey. We are planning on about 2 weeks in New Mexico and 2 weeks in Arizona before arriving at our friends house in CA. Please let us know the must see's or do's. We are not really into eating out a lot, but are interested in unique attractions and National/State Parks. Thanks in advance.
LarryW21 said
06:54 PM Jan 18, 2021
Remember that all..all...California state parks and National Forests in California are closed to camping.
LarryW21 said
06:55 PM Jan 18, 2021
“We are not really into eating out a lot,...” That’s good because indoor restaurant dining is unavailable in most of California.
osanmike said
09:03 PM Jan 18, 2021
I know about California, that is why we are just going to our friends house there. We will be spending the month in AZ & NM
Terry and Jo said
11:07 PM Jan 18, 2021
Mike,
Without knowing your exact route, it would be hard to make many recommendations. However, let me give just a few for you. Should you leave Colorado Springs and go south on I-25 to Highway 160 at Walsenburg, you could go west, which would take you through Durango and Cortez, Colorado. Durango has the steam powered trains that go from Durango up to Silverton, CO and back. Or, one can take the train up and a bus back. Other options may also be available, but the time you go through may limit what distances the train will actually go. (They have a shortened route in Winter.) Near Cortez is Mesa Verde National Park. That is an excellent place if you are interested in cliff houses and such of the old tribes.
Should you go further south on I-25 to I-40 and head west, the Petrified Forest National Park is located near I-40. In fact, I-40 basically goes through the middle of the park, although one has to exit I-40 elsewhere to get to the park. Besides the petrified trees in the Petrified Forest section of the park, the northern part of the park has the Painted Desert. On west into Arizona, the Grand Canyon's South Rim is about 60 miles north of Williams, AZ. Prior to getting to Flagstaff and then Williams, another point of interest off of I-40 is the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark. Lots of folks aren't impressed with that "hole in the ground" after seeing the Grand Canyon.
If you want to get an idea of more to see, check out my Smugmug site for pictures of both Arizona and Utah sites to see, although to see Utah, you would have to go north quite a ways. Click on "Browse" at the website home page and choose the state that you have an interest in. (Sorry, but there isn't much there for New Mexico.)
Good luck on your trip, and may your travels meet your expectations.
Terry
osanmike said
06:21 AM Jan 19, 2021
Thanks Terry & Jo, we will check it out
Barbaraok said
09:40 AM Jan 19, 2021
osanmike wrote:
I know about California, that is why we are just going to our friends house there. We will be spending the month in AZ & NM
Depending upon how the virus is raging, things may or mayn't be open in either New Mexico or Arizona. By Mid-March the chance of getting hit with snow on I-40 is way down. I love the museums in Santa Fe, especially the Georgia O'Keeffe museum. Stop in Williams and take the train ride up to the Grand Canyon would be on my list of suggestions of things to do. Also, you could stop in Winslow to see if you could find the statue
"Well, I'm a standing on a corner In Winslow, Arizona And such a fine sight to see It's a girl, my lord In a flatbed Ford Slowin' down to take a look at me". 😎
arcaguy said
08:26 PM Feb 25, 2021
Not too familiar with AZ or NM but when I was through there a few years ago on a motorcycle I enjoyed the Grand Canyon but I wish I had of had the time to go to the north rim. I left the Grand Canyon to the east up through Tuba City and came into Colorado from the southwest and I recall the ride was very pretty. I will be back there some day and spend more time, it's a beautiful part of the country. If you can get vaccinated against Covid prior to your trip that may be a good idea, it may open up some more venues but I really don't know. Stay safe and have fun.
ideshine said
08:19 AM Jul 13, 2021
Congrats! What pickup did you end up getting to haul your 5th wheel?
Cassy0110 said
09:28 PM Jan 17, 2023
I was interested in it too! Thanks for answers guys!
So we finally did it. We retired and bought our pickup and 5th wheel. We are planning on hitting the road Mid March from Colorado Springs, CO. We are planning on heading south to New Mexico and westward through Arizona ending in Rosamond, CA to see some friends who have also just retired and may join us on some of our journey. We are planning on about 2 weeks in New Mexico and 2 weeks in Arizona before arriving at our friends house in CA. Please let us know the must see's or do's. We are not really into eating out a lot, but are interested in unique attractions and National/State Parks. Thanks in advance.
Mike,
Without knowing your exact route, it would be hard to make many recommendations. However, let me give just a few for you. Should you leave Colorado Springs and go south on I-25 to Highway 160 at Walsenburg, you could go west, which would take you through Durango and Cortez, Colorado. Durango has the steam powered trains that go from Durango up to Silverton, CO and back. Or, one can take the train up and a bus back. Other options may also be available, but the time you go through may limit what distances the train will actually go. (They have a shortened route in Winter.) Near Cortez is Mesa Verde National Park. That is an excellent place if you are interested in cliff houses and such of the old tribes.
Should you go further south on I-25 to I-40 and head west, the Petrified Forest National Park is located near I-40. In fact, I-40 basically goes through the middle of the park, although one has to exit I-40 elsewhere to get to the park. Besides the petrified trees in the Petrified Forest section of the park, the northern part of the park has the Painted Desert. On west into Arizona, the Grand Canyon's South Rim is about 60 miles north of Williams, AZ. Prior to getting to Flagstaff and then Williams, another point of interest off of I-40 is the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark. Lots of folks aren't impressed with that "hole in the ground" after seeing the Grand Canyon.
If you want to get an idea of more to see, check out my Smugmug site for pictures of both Arizona and Utah sites to see, although to see Utah, you would have to go north quite a ways. Click on "Browse" at the website home page and choose the state that you have an interest in. (Sorry, but there isn't much there for New Mexico.)
Good luck on your trip, and may your travels meet your expectations.
Terry
Depending upon how the virus is raging, things may or mayn't be open in either New Mexico or Arizona. By Mid-March the chance of getting hit with snow on I-40 is way down. I love the museums in Santa Fe, especially the Georgia O'Keeffe museum. Stop in Williams and take the train ride up to the Grand Canyon would be on my list of suggestions of things to do. Also, you could stop in Winslow to see if you could find the statue
"Well, I'm a standing on a corner
In Winslow, Arizona
And such a fine sight to see
It's a girl, my lord
In a flatbed Ford
Slowin' down to take a look at me". 😎