Planning A Trip Down I-10

[cooltouch]

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

My route is free, and I plan to drive my Honda Civic. I have been trying to catch bits and pieces of central Texas for years. I need to find interesting things to photograph, rather than just driving through.

I've made the trip from Los Angeles to Houston (and back) many times over the years, several of which were in a '78 Honda Civic It can get kinda lonely on the Interstate in West Texas.

You will reach a certain point in your drive out there that you'll notice I-10's roadway has become pink. That's because they used locally available materials when they built it -- pink granite, the same stuff the state Capitol is built from. That's worth a shot or two -- a pink interstate.

When you make it to Van Horn, be sure to stop for some Diesel Fried Chicken at this little joint:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/futurowoman/351842743/

Mmmm-Mmh!

Best,

Michael

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

I definitely want to go back through Jemez Springs and hit up all the hot springs. I would like to get up to Angelfire, too, but that's a long trip.

Check your map. Angelfire is closer to Dallas than El Paso.

[johnastovall]

You are aware that the Trinity site is only open 2 days a year?

[venchka]

The SW half of Texas and most of New Mexico could easily be broken into two trips. Or plan to be gone 2-3 months. Seems to me like a Dallas-Big Bend-Dallas trip would be a handful. Dallas-Panhandle-Northern New Mexico woulf be another handful. Both great trips. Not too sure you could do justice to any of it in a short time.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

I would also like to get a GPS, to pinpoint where I take my photographs and to chart my route, besides the fact that I get lost very easily and could use a guide to get me out.

I travel a lot... I've used all kinds of GPS's. So far the best one that I've owned for usefulness is the Garmin Nuvi. I have the little bean bag that they make for putting it on the dash. It's easier (to me) than sticking it to the windshield.

Now... about the route... Wayne kind of hit on my suggestion. I would come back on I10 and hit all of the I10 spots. Or at least make that the option. NM is a wonderful state for photographers IMHO.

Leave Dallas
287 to Amarillo
87 to Dumas
Dumas to Hartley (same road)
385 to Dalhart
Ware
Texline
Clayton (If you stop here check out the Best Western Kokopelli Lodge. Small hotel. Great atmosphere. Great breakfast. Great bed. Rooms are always clean. Book in advance. I'm not the only one that knows about this place
US64 / 87 out of Clayton toward Raton. From here on it's time to keep your eyes open. There are pioneer wagon tracks, antelope, beautiful wide open scenery... etc. At Capulin there is an extinct cinder cone volcano. Once you visit the National Park there you start to see the other remnants that come up from the plains.

Side Trip- At Des Moines go NW on 325. Toward Folsom. Then back down to Capulin National Park from Folsom to Capulin. Gorgeous drive.

From Raton head south on I25. Not for long though. Go west on US64. Watch for Antelope during the first 30 or 40 miles. They are stuck between the fences (antelope won't jump a fence. Go figure) and I've had them run out in front of me at night. Good photo op though.

Raton to
Cimarron
Ute Park
Eagles Nest
Taos
Tres Piedras

At Tres Piedra you have two choices (actually 3 but going to Colorado is probably not going to be an option). South on 285 through Ojo Caliente to Hernandez or West on 64 toward Tierra Amarilla then south through Cibolla, Abiquiu, to Hernandez. At Tierra Amarilla you aren't far from Chama (relatively speaking) and there is an operating steam railroad there called the Cumbres and Toltec.

Hernandez to Santa Fe

From Santa Fe I would head down to Bernalillo and then back up to San Ysidro, Cuba, and then out to Chaco Canyon. But... that would be quite a detour for your trip to Deming. So...

South on I25 to Las Cruces then across to Deming.

I think the condition of the roads is going to be your only concern this time of year. NM does snow handling really well and they have a good road condition information system in place. If it were later in the year I would suggest a side trip on 152 just south of Caballo to Hillsboro, then south on 27 to Nutt, then SW on 26 to Deming. I don't think I've taken that route which for me would be a strong impetus to take the route. You might check the roads out. If they are clear it could be interesting and would be way better than droning along on an interstate.

PS- If you go this way, honk at Childress or at least wave. Russell Graves might be watching

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

You are aware that the Trinity site is only open 2 days a year?

Yes. I hope to be there on October 3, the first Saturday in October this year.

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by iCe

I travel a lot... I've used all kinds of GPS's. So far the best one that I've owned for usefulness is the Garmin Nuvi. I have the little bean bag that they make for putting it on the dash. It's easier (to me) than sticking it to the windshield.

Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by iCe

Now... about the route... Wayne kind of hit on my suggestion. I would come back on I10 and hit all of the I10 spots. Or at least make that the option. NM is a wonderful state for photographers IMHO.

Yes! I lived in Albuquerque for 9 years, and was always fascinated by the scenery.

Originally Posted by iCe

Leave Dallas
287 to Amarillo
87 to Dumas
Dumas to Hartley (same road)
385 to Dalhart
Ware
Texline
Clayton (If you stop here check out the Best Western Kokopelli Lodge. Small hotel. Great atmosphere. Great breakfast. Great bed. Rooms are always clean. Book in advance. I'm not the only one that knows about this place
US64 / 87 out of Clayton toward Raton. From here on it's time to keep your eyes open. There are pioneer wagon tracks, antelope, beautiful wide open scenery... etc. At Capulin there is an extinct cinder cone volcano. Once you visit the National Park there you start to see the other remnants that come up from the plains.

Side Trip- At Des Moines go NW on 325. Toward Folsom. Then back down to Capulin National Park from Folsom to Capulin. Gorgeous drive.

From Raton head south on I25. Not for long though. Go west on US64. Watch for Antelope during the first 30 or 40 miles. They are stuck between the fences (antelope won't jump a fence. Go figure) and I've had them run out in front of me at night. Good photo op though.

Raton to
Cimarron
Ute Park
Eagles Nest
Taos
Tres Piedras

At Tres Piedra you have two choices (actually 3 but going to Colorado is probably not going to be an option).

I would love to get to Colorado, one of these days, as well as Arizona and Utah, but I keep running out of time!

Originally Posted by iCe

South on 285 through Ojo Caliente to Hernandez or West on 64 toward Tierra Amarilla then south through Cibolla, Abiquiu, to Hernandez. At Tierra Amarilla you aren't far from Chama (relatively speaking) and there is an operating steam railroad there called the Cumbres and Toltec.

I know of this railroad. My Mom has ridden it, and she has been to Chama. I never have. IIRC, Chama is accessible only when the road is dry. If it rains, the muddy road is too slick to traverse.

Originally Posted by iCe

Hernandez to Santa Fe

From Santa Fe I would head down to Bernalillo and then back up to San Ysidro, Cuba, and then out to Chaco Canyon. But... that would be quite a detour for your trip to Deming.

I intend to take Highway 4, from Los Alamos, through White Rock, then head up 126. I might go all the way through to Cuba, but the road is not paved and I am driving a Honda Civic.

Originally Posted by iCe

So...

South on I25 to Las Cruces then across to Deming.

I intend to make a few stops along the way. I need new photos of Hidden Mountain (near Las Cruces) and maybe stop by Magdelina (best green chili diners I've ever had) and the VLA.

Originally Posted by iCe

I think the condition of the roads is going to be your only concern this time of year. NM does snow handling really well and they have a good road condition information system in place. If it were later in the year

I'm planning this trip for October.

Originally Posted by iCe

I would suggest a side trip on 152 just south of Caballo to Hillsboro, then south on 27 to Nutt, then SW on 26 to Deming. I don't think I've taken that route which for me would be a strong impetus to take the route.

Technically, I've been through San Lorenzo, but it was late at night as I was returning from Gila National Monument. I was going to cut across 152 to TorC, but a cable repairman warned me that with all the snow through the mountains, my trip would be too dangerous. He led me back down to Deming, instead.

[QUOTE=iCe;843262]
You might check the roads out. If they are clear it could be interesting and would be way better than droning along on an interstate.

Originally Posted by iCe

PS- If you go this way, honk at Childress or at least wave. Russell Graves might be watching

Thanks for pointing him out. I've traveled through there 2 or 3 times, usually late at night.

[Breezy]

no advice but good luck

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by Breezy

no advice but good luck

Thank you.

[iCe]

I might be misunderstanding which roads aren't paved but the roads that I have taken into Chama are all paved. So is the road to Cuba. The road from the main highway to Chaco Canyon isn't but it's easily passable in a car. I've seen them there many times.

[studiocygnet]

Just got back from a funeral in Silver City, north of Deming. My wife is from there. If you've got a bit of time around Deming, do this loop.
Deming north on Hwy 180 toward Silver City.

Turn right (east) at Hwy 61 toward Faywood Hot Springs (currently closed) and City of Rocks State Park.

Turn right again on Hwy 152 toward Kingston and Hillsboro over the Black Range mountains.
Watch for overgrown cemetery coming down the mountain into Kingston.

In Hillsboro, turn south on Hwy 27, heading toward Nutt.

Stop at my favorite secret ghost town, Lake Valley. The whole complex is only open a few days a week. If memory serves, it's closed like Monday and Tuesday, and open the later part of the week toward the weekend.

Intersection of Hwy 27 and 26, in Nutt, is an old bar. I think it's called the Middle of Nowhere bar?

Turn west on Hwy 26 back to Deming.

I'll throw in a few photos here of what I mean.
First photo - outside the gate at Lake Valley, I showed up one day when the site was closed.
Second - City of Rocks SP
Third - Kingston Cemetery
Fourth - Inside Lake Valley ghost town, when it was open.

[venchka]

Another way to New Mexico...

DFW west through Mineral Wells, Lubbock, Muleshoe, Fort Sumner, etc.

[venchka]

I just read iCe's trip route. I reckon I've been to/through every name on that list. Too long ago. Time to go back. Take the Big Cameras!

[Imagebuffet]

If I can get in a caravan at White Sands National Monument, I will be allowed to go across the Missile Range, instead of around it, saving many miles.

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by iCe

I might be misunderstanding which roads aren't paved but the roads that I have taken into Chama are all paved. So is the road to Cuba. The road from the main highway to Chaco Canyon isn't but it's easily passable in a car. I've seen them there many times.

I saw signs warning that the back road from La Cueva to Cuba is paved only half-way. Chama might be paved all the way in; I don't remember what Mom said was and wasn't paved. I'll have to check on that.