Drive Austin(TX) to Sante Fe (NM)

Hi

Our family of 5 (2 adult, 3kids 13, 11, 7) are planning to drive between two branches of the family in the above locations in late Mar / early April. We will have about 6 days to do the trip, so can do interesting stuff rather than go in a straight line! Can anyone recommend a good route, and possibly reasonable accomodation. We are interested in most things and are happy in the outdoors (but not to sleep in early Spring!) It will be our first time in the States, so everything will be new to us!!

Thanks very much

JAMAS

Drive Austin(TX) to Sante Fe (NM)

Hello Jamas

What great places for family to live! We have lived in both places-- moved from austin to santa fe-- so beautiful!

Let%26#39;s see from austin if you want to head through the texas panhandle-- somewhere around Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon State Park. This is quite nice to see on the way-- look out for big racoons-- they go straight for the ice coolers! Oh, and I think I remember a scorpion or two.

Since you have time you may want to go southwest-- Lost Maples State Park--

far west texas-- Marfa. Have you seen the northern lights? what about the Marfa lights?

The marfa lights are an enduring Texas mystery. The Marfa lights are lights which are visible at night from a viewing area about 10 miles east of the town of Marfa, Texas. People who have reported seeing them say they behave in a very strange way. They appear from nothing, bounce around in the sky, vanish and re-appear again, then dim and go off and sometimes they divide into two separate lights. The Marfa lights are the main tourist attraction in the area.To some, the Marfa lights are extraterrestrial activity.

So, if you go to Marfa, you need to go to Big Bend National Park-- so close.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a must coming up into New Mexico. You can hike down into the cavern if you have time, but they also have an elelvator going straight down-- it%26#39;s huge--it takes awhile!

Then you have Socorro-- many UFO sightings here!

Socorro also has the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. They have a crane festival here each year when the cranes pass through-- i believe that isn%26#39;t until November.

And from Socorro to Santa Fe well, the drive is just gorgeous.--and the food! I remember some Native American markets along the way, but not exactly sure where. But, that place is magic-- I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll find exactly where you need to be. You may want to google these places to see what feels right for family. Happy traveling!--tracy g.

Drive Austin(TX) to Sante Fe (NM)

Fredricksburg Texas and nearby Enchanted Rock State Natural Area are Great. There are a large variety of lodging options available to you there. The Tin Star Ranch is a complex of cabins very near the park . I am unsure of thier rates but I know they have built a replica of old time texas there.Austin is great,, it is the live music capital of the world, lots of nightclubs and lots of restarants.If I were traveling to Sante Fe , I would take Interstate 10 west, I would visit The Caverns of Senora, I would turn North at Ft. Stockton on 285 and visit Guadalupe Mountain National Park, I would also suggest a visit to Carlsbad Caverns near White City. I would continue North and visit Roswell N.M. It is the site of %26#39;%26#39; U.F.O. CRASH%26#39;%26#39; . Jimez Hot Springs and Bandoleer National Monument are not far from Sante Fe. They are both wonderfull, Hope this gives you a few ideas. There is not very much to do here in Ingram. you may reply to me on my e-mail skotphrea@hctc.net if you feel so inclined. HAVE A GREAT STAY !!! Skot %26amp; Jamie P.S. Bandera Texas is just down the road and it %26#39;s %26#39;%26#39;The Cowboy Capital of the World ';!!!

Hi Jamas

Well, great suggestions by the others but keep in mind, distances are huge and Big Bend, one of the greatest NP in the USA, has it%26#39;s busiest time of year late march and accomodation is limited. Only one lodge in the park. Keep in mind it%26#39;s an 8 hours drive from Austin. Austin-Carlsbad also is 8 hours. BBNP takes at least one day to visit. Also Carlsbad Caverns needs one day (a short sidetrip to Guadalupe Mountains NP included) and it%26#39;s a good daydrive from Carlsbad to Santa Fe.And there%26#39;s Marfa with its lights, the Fort Davis area, Balmorhea SP and others. Also the drive from Austin to Amarillo takes whole day but we liked the drive. Like Tracstar has said, Palo Duro south of Amarillo is a little, relatively unknown gem. And Skotphrea is also right. Don%26#39;t miss Hill Country. We stayed 4 days in San Antonio and 4 days in Austin and visited Hill country a couple of times. Loved every minute of our stay. So maybe:

1. Visit to Hill Country

2. Drive to Carlsbad (Best Western Stevens is a good hotel with great food)

3. Carlsbad caverns and Guadalupe. (A hiking park, no wheels)

4. From Carlsbad to Artesia and to Cloudcroft . Make a stop past Cloudcroft, Magnificent view. Drive to White Sands NM for a visit. Night in Alamogordo.

5. From Alamogordo to Ruidoso (check weather conditions) to Capitan (Smokey Bear), Lincoln (Billy the Kid center), Roswell (All Ufo here, visit the free Ufo Museum) and to Santa Rosa (Blue Hole).

6. Drive to ABQ, visit its old town, maybe Sandia Tram and drive beautiful nm14, the Turquoise Trail to Madrid and Santa Fe.

Yes, still a lot of driving.

We have been to Texas and NM a couple of times and will come back this year again. Can%26#39;t stay away too long! Have fun

Tet{:o)-

Thank you so much for all the help. we were off line for a while, so sorry for not getting back to thank you sooner.

We will be staying near Ingram for a week or so before we set off on the trip, and then have a week around Sante Fe. Is there any self catering accomodation, cabins to rent etc ??

Thanks again

JAMAS

Hi Jamas.

For accomodation look at www.santafe.org

Heaps of info.

Tet