US Roadtrip

Stojkovic

I know its expensive $500 (€350) but a heli ride landing in the Canyon is well worth the money. You'd lose that in an afternoon in the casino anyway.

Flies around the canyon, see where Thelma and Louise drove off. Fly over the Hoover Dam and also up the side of the Vegas strip.

Was there in August and even though it was 40 degrees its a dry heat and very bearable.

InTheTrees

Whiplash85 wrote: »

I agree with you on Dallas. JFK is somone who is arguably the most iconic political figure of all time. He just so happens to have Irish ancestry and strong ties to Ireland. For an Irish immigrant to become the most powerful man in the world and shot down in his prime I think it will be worth a couple of hours reflection on our path through Texas. Different strokes for Different folks I guess. Might mosey out to Southfork ranch there as well. Think its slightly northeast of Dallas.

An admirable reason to visit Dallas and one that I totally forgot about. We just passed the anniversary too.

And as I said if you're going from New Orleans to Colorado its hard to avoid so why not.

If you got to Austin, there's also The Alamo just a little further on in San Antonio.

MadsL

InTheTrees wrote: »

Nelly 21 wrote: »

....Although... you could start in Albuquerque where the landscape gets more interesting.

Ah here, don't send tourists to New Mexico, it's awful, just awful. Green or red chile with everything, the relentless 310 days or sun a year, the ancient peublos that are just falling down, that crappy old Sante Fe, poxy mountains and high desert plains.

Why anyone would want to come here.

Killer Wench

I see you have three nights in Colorado. Hm.

MadsL

Killer Wench wrote: »

I see you have three nights in Colorado. Hm.

Santa Fe is in New Mexico...

Killer Wench

MadsL wrote: »

Santa Fe is in New Mexico...

Then he needs to update his state codes, cuz right now, it says three stops in CO.

Whiplash85

Killer Wench wrote: »

Then he needs to update his state codes, cuz right now, it says three stops in CO.

Indeed it is in New Mexico. I stand corrected. Will try and steer clear of the wacky tobaccy as well. Only 3 and a half weeks to go at this stage. It is going to be incredible. I promise to give a good debriefing of the experience when I return. If anyone has any advice or recommendations of places to see or things to do in the meantime please let me know.

Will be trying to keep costs relatively within budget. If anyone has some good tips on how to spare a bit on a roadtrip please let me know.

MadsL

Whiplash85 wrote: »

Indeed it is in New Mexico. I stand corrected. Will try and steer clear of the wacky tobaccy as well. Only 3 and a half weeks to go at this stage. It is going to be incredible. I promise to give a good debriefing of the experience when I return. If anyone has any advice or recommendations of places to see or things to do in the meantime please let me know.

Will be trying to keep costs relatively within budget. If anyone has some good tips on how to spare a bit on a roadtrip please let me know.

Did you get a credit card yet?

clairefontaine

MadsL wrote: »

Santa Fe is in New Mexico...

Its a state capitol. Tell me is it all government buildings down there? If so I'd skip it.

Whiplash85

MadsL wrote: »

Did you get a credit card yet?

I ordered one with Bank of ireland. The Classic one I think. €1,000 credit limit and I can credit the credit card at any stage using banking 365.

MadsL

clairefontaine wrote: »

Its a state capitol. Tell me is it all government buildings down there? If so I'd skip it.

Huh?

It's the oldest city in the US. And gorgeous. Especially in the snow, here's the centre of town.

http://0.tqn.com/d/travelwithkids/1/0/w/y/1/Santa-Fe-Plaza-Holiday-Lights.JPG

Actually, no, it's horrible don't come here.

clairefontaine

MadsL wrote: »

Huh?

It's the oldest city in the US. And gorgeous. Especially in the snow, here's the centre of town.

http://0.tqn.com/d/travelwithkids/1/0/w/y/1/Santa-Fe-Plaza-Holiday-Lights.JPG

Actually, no, it's horrible don't come here.

Looks like a good place to live. Will check out school districts. Thanks madsl.

Whiplash85

clairefontaine wrote: »

Its a state capitol. Tell me is it all government buildings down there? If so I'd skip it.

Santa Fe is one of the few state capitals that is not destroyed with skyscrapers and where it is possible to walk around. There is some lovely architecture there by all accounts. A trip to los Alamos (the birth place of the atomic bomb) might be on the cards. Its only 30m from Santa fé.

MadsL

The administrive buildings are terrible, really high story monstrosities. Here's the Governor's Palace:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oECBwW6Oog0/TJzoTYI8qcI/AAAAAAAACMs/8J8cpYdUJMQ/s1600/Palace%2Bof%2Bthe%2BGovernors.JPG

Killer Wench

clairefontaine wrote: »

Its a state capitol. Tell me is it all government buildings down there? If so I'd skip it.

Outside of Santa Fe, there are a few Pueblos that might be worth visiting. Did a quick search and I think some of the feasting days will take place during OP's cross country drive.

MadsL

Whiplash85 wrote: »

Santa Fe is one of the few state capitals that is not destroyed with skyscrapers and where it is possible to walk around. There is some lovely architecture there by all accounts. A trip to los Alamos (the birth place of the atomic bomb) might be on the cards. Its only 30m from Santa fé.

Do this. It's a fascinating museum. Then you have a pretty drive up to the San Juan mountains on 84 North to hit up Pagosa Springs and soak in natural hot springs at up to 114F, great brews here too. I recommend a night in Pagosa Springs.

http://www.pagosahotsprings.com/

MadsL

Killer Wench wrote: »

Outside of Santa Fe, there are a few Pueblos that might be worth visiting. Did a quick search and I think some of the feasting days will take place during OP's cross country drive.

If the OP wants to PM me the dates they are here I will try to arrange a visit to friends one of the pueblos. Or am happy to be tour guide for a day in Santa Fe.

Beer on tap at mine too but I'm not sure if they planned visiting ABQ (Not Breaking Bad fans clearly)

Lemme know OP - happy to help.

Nelly 21

MadsL wrote: »

InTheTrees wrote: »

Ah here, don't send tourists to New Mexico, it's awful, just awful. Green or red chile with everything, the relentless 310 days or sun a year, the ancient peublos that are just falling down, that crappy old Sante Fe, poxy mountains and high desert plains.

Why anyone would want to come here.

Doesn't sound too bad to me. A few people have said that sante fe is a great place to go........ I want to experience the desert and am also looking forward to arizona

MadsL

Nelly 21 wrote: »

MadsL wrote: »

Doesn't sound too bad to me. A few people have said that sante fe is a great place to go........ I want to experience the desert and am also looking forward yo arizona

Wait, you are coming too?

Nelly 21

Whiplash85 wrote: »

Indeed it is in New Mexico. I stand corrected. Will try and steer clear of the wacky tobaccy as well. Only 3 and a half weeks to go at this stage. It is going to be incredible. I promise to give a good debriefing of the experience when I return. If anyone has any advice or recommendations of places to see or things to do in the meantime please let me know.

Will be trying to keep costs relatively within budget. If anyone has some good tips on how to spare a bit on a roadtrip please let me know.

A lot of hotels have fridges in the room so you can go to the local supermarket and stock up on stuff like drinks and snacks. Make sure you keep hydrated with plenty of water and get out of the car every couple of hours to stretch your legs. I had a problem last year with swollen legs as I didn't get out of the car enough to stretch them.

You'll find filling the car with gas fairly reasonable compared to Irish prices and you get better value to the gallon. Plus going with friends you'll be able to split costs.

Nelly 21

MadsL wrote: »

Nelly 21 wrote: »

Wait, you are coming too?

I'm traveling in June... A similar trip starting in Dallas and driving to LA

Nelly 21

Whiplash85 wrote: »

Indeed it is in New Mexico. I stand corrected. Will try and steer clear of the wacky tobaccy as well. Only 3 and a half weeks to go at this stage. It is going to be incredible. I promise to give a good debriefing of the experience when I return. If anyone has any advice or recommendations of places to see or things to do in the meantime please let me know.

Will be trying to keep costs relatively within budget. If anyone has some good tips on how to spare a bit on a roadtrip please let me know.

Looking forward to hearing about it and any tips you come back with

MadsL

Killer Wench wrote: »

Outside of Santa Fe, there are a few Pueblos that might be worth visiting. Did a quick search and I think some of the feasting days will take place during OP's cross country drive.

I could only find March 19th - St. Joseph Feast Day and Harvest Dance at Laguna Pueblo (Old Laguna).

Did you find others?

I have a funny story, we were invited up to one feast day, and we brought soda bread I had baked as gifts for the family who invited us. I wandered down to the car to go get the bread, and not knowing the pueblo or the family well, I ended up back in the wrong house. Naturally, as it was a feast day, all were welcome at the table and I sat, ate and chatted for the time it took me to eat (mindful to be polite that I should not linger and make space for others at the table) - I then spotted my wife who wondered where the hell I had got to.

I love feast days, such good food

MadsL

Nelly 21 wrote: »

MadsL wrote: »

I'm traveling in June... A similar trip starting in Dallas and driving to LA

Are you coming through NM? If so, offer stands. I like being a tour guide.

Whiplash85

MadsL wrote: »

If the OP wants to PM me the dates they are here I will try to arrange a visit to friends one of the pueblos. Or am happy to be tour guide for a day in Santa Fe.

Beer on tap at mine too but I'm not sure if they planned visiting ABQ (Not Breaking Bad fans clearly)

Lemme know OP - happy to help.

Many thanks MadsL. You could regret extending that offer.:D I'll PM you once we have the itinery set in stone. St Patricks day celebrations and where to spend it is proving a contentious issue at the moment. After that is sorted the rest of the trip will sort itself out.

MadsL

Whiplash85 wrote: »

Many thanks MadsL. You could regret extending that offer.:D I'll PM you once we have the itinery set in stone. St Patricks day celebrations and where to spend it is proving a contentious issue at the moment. After that is sorted the rest of the trip will sort itself out.

You have a night at my place on offer if you want to cut costs. There's a guest room and a sofa. I'm north ABQ, about an hour from SF and happy to pour beers and then guide you around SF/pueblos for the day.

MadsL

You mentioned Rodeo.

Ty Murray Invitational PBR Built Ford Tough Series Rodeo Mar 21-23
http://www.pbr.com/en/bfts/schedule/2014/2014-albuquerque.aspx

I recommend it. Cracking good fun. Tickets are surprisingly expensive though...$15-$100, but the PBR is where you will see monster bulls and the top riders.

Whiplash85

MadsL wrote: »

You have a night at my place on offer if you want to cut costs. There's a guest room and a sofa. I'm north ABQ, about an hour from SF and happy to pour beers and then guide you around SF/pueblos for the day.

You are too kind. I'll PM you closer to the time as the days we'll be in New Mexico are fluid at the moment so to speak. We will be there sometime between 26th - 30th March, more than likely. Must definitely catch a rodeo as well.:)

MadsL

Whiplash85 wrote: »

You are too kind. I'll PM you closer to the time as the days we'll be in New Mexico are fluid at the moment so to speak. We will be there sometime between 26th - 30th March, more than likely. Must definitely catch a rodeo as well.:)

We'll try and get something arranged. Mi casa es tu casa, as they say around here. I'll look into the rodeo, or at least a honky tonk with a mechanical bull and some cowgirls.

Which of your mates would you like me to enter in the open competition in the bullriding?

Nelly 21

MadsL wrote: »

Nelly 21 wrote: »

Are you coming through NM? If so, offer stands. I like being a tour guide.

Its not set in stone yet but the way plan is to join route 66 in OK and work from there as best as we can. Thank you for your kind offer!?!!!