MikeyDSlagle
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I mentioned to my near-wife, henceforth referenced as Ashley, that I wanted to take a longer vacation. We make our annual trip to TexRenFest every October, but I want to go see more and do more; stay gone for a week or so.
She says she wanted to see a cave. I immediately think Carlsbad Caverns...and Roswell. I mentioned Carlsbad and Roswell. She was immediately on board. Later I mentioned hitting the beach in Florida since we haven't done that in 9 or so years and she said she was already excited about New Mexico.
Summer of '06 I did a job in New Mexico removing an oxygen plant from an old copper smelter plant; and we stayed in Lordsburg. Haven't been West of Houston since then. Going on 12 years now. Wow, time gets away from ya. Always something about the desert that stirs something inside me. Not sure what. Sitting outside the little crummy hotel watching night creep from east to west, Nighthwaks and bats swarming the street lights chasing bugs, while I sip a nightcap of Crown and Coke. Rocks, dust devils, tumble weeds, dry rivers and wadis. Starting to sound like a Hemingway, I even had me a summer romance down there in the desert. :blush: LOL.
Went to Big Bend National Park when I was maybe 10. Still remember a lot of that as well.
So anyway. Looks like I am planning a trip to the Land of Enchantment. So far on the agenda is Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell. Maybe check out White Sands since we will be that far out West and not likely to go back any time soon. Though through the eyes of a toddler White Sands looks like a beach without water, and since she always says she wants to go to the beach, that may be a bit disappointing to her. LOL We are looking at a 12 hour drive. Not trying to do it all in one day. Odessa or Midlands TX will probably be a stop off point for us.
It will be me, Ashley and our daughter, who is 3 1/2. Maybe her daughter, 13, if she doesn't go stay with her dad this summer.
What is there to do in Roswell and Carlsbad?
What else should I be looking for in the area?
A science museum would be cool. I think they have a planetarium there?
For the toddler a zoo would be good. Petting zoo even better. Small water park, splash pad, playground.
Maybe...MAYBE a theme park.
Star gazing and just generally being outside to see the night come and the wildlife. I understand Carlsbad Caverns has a star gazing event?
Yes, I am looking online. Lots of info out there, just seeing if there are hidden gems somewhere.
I have to check out a local brewery while I am there as well. See what craft is on tap.
My idea is set up "base camp" in Roswell, or Carlsbad, and go out on short excursions during the day. But not to the extent we spend all day driving. If I have to get a room in the next town over, that's not a problem either.
I don't particularly like big cities, but I am not completely against going up to Albuquerque and checking out all they have to offer. Looks like Albuquerque has quite a bit to do. I know no one can say for sure "Yes it is worth the drive" (to me). But adding an extra 3 hours to the trip, one way, it better be spectacular. 3 hours is an easy day trip no doubt, but the trip home will be the bore. If I got that far north I will just make a loop and come back through the Texas Panhandle to see something different...maybe.
Handgun laws? Looks like NM is pretty lax like Louisiana. Just like to have my .45 in the car when we go places. Not concealed carry or open carry. Just in the car and the hotel room.
So any advice from our New Mexico folks or NM tourists?
Edit:
Forget my timeframe. Would like to make this trip toward the middle toward the end of May. But not sure how that will work with the teenager and school. I'm sure I would get "That's awfully short notice" at work as well. So sometime in June.
She says she wanted to see a cave. I immediately think Carlsbad Caverns...and Roswell. I mentioned Carlsbad and Roswell. She was immediately on board. Later I mentioned hitting the beach in Florida since we haven't done that in 9 or so years and she said she was already excited about New Mexico.
Summer of '06 I did a job in New Mexico removing an oxygen plant from an old copper smelter plant; and we stayed in Lordsburg. Haven't been West of Houston since then. Going on 12 years now. Wow, time gets away from ya. Always something about the desert that stirs something inside me. Not sure what. Sitting outside the little crummy hotel watching night creep from east to west, Nighthwaks and bats swarming the street lights chasing bugs, while I sip a nightcap of Crown and Coke. Rocks, dust devils, tumble weeds, dry rivers and wadis. Starting to sound like a Hemingway, I even had me a summer romance down there in the desert. :blush: LOL.
Went to Big Bend National Park when I was maybe 10. Still remember a lot of that as well.
So anyway. Looks like I am planning a trip to the Land of Enchantment. So far on the agenda is Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell. Maybe check out White Sands since we will be that far out West and not likely to go back any time soon. Though through the eyes of a toddler White Sands looks like a beach without water, and since she always says she wants to go to the beach, that may be a bit disappointing to her. LOL We are looking at a 12 hour drive. Not trying to do it all in one day. Odessa or Midlands TX will probably be a stop off point for us.
It will be me, Ashley and our daughter, who is 3 1/2. Maybe her daughter, 13, if she doesn't go stay with her dad this summer.
What is there to do in Roswell and Carlsbad?
What else should I be looking for in the area?
A science museum would be cool. I think they have a planetarium there?
For the toddler a zoo would be good. Petting zoo even better. Small water park, splash pad, playground.
Maybe...MAYBE a theme park.
Star gazing and just generally being outside to see the night come and the wildlife. I understand Carlsbad Caverns has a star gazing event?
Yes, I am looking online. Lots of info out there, just seeing if there are hidden gems somewhere.
I have to check out a local brewery while I am there as well. See what craft is on tap.
My idea is set up "base camp" in Roswell, or Carlsbad, and go out on short excursions during the day. But not to the extent we spend all day driving. If I have to get a room in the next town over, that's not a problem either.
I don't particularly like big cities, but I am not completely against going up to Albuquerque and checking out all they have to offer. Looks like Albuquerque has quite a bit to do. I know no one can say for sure "Yes it is worth the drive" (to me). But adding an extra 3 hours to the trip, one way, it better be spectacular. 3 hours is an easy day trip no doubt, but the trip home will be the bore. If I got that far north I will just make a loop and come back through the Texas Panhandle to see something different...maybe.
Handgun laws? Looks like NM is pretty lax like Louisiana. Just like to have my .45 in the car when we go places. Not concealed carry or open carry. Just in the car and the hotel room.
So any advice from our New Mexico folks or NM tourists?
Edit:
Forget my timeframe. Would like to make this trip toward the middle toward the end of May. But not sure how that will work with the teenager and school. I'm sure I would get "That's awfully short notice" at work as well. So sometime in June.
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