It’s time for an announcement: We’ve almost finalized our trip for fall! With the exception of Iceland, we’re sticking with a North American theme this year… and now we’re heading West. We both love a good road trip—in fact, most of our travels together have involved a rental car. Put those two things together, and you’ve got Jess and Nicole’s Southwest Adventure. In October, we’ll be spending ten days tooling around the American Southwest, hitting up some of this country’s most amazing national parks.
On the itinerary:
- Route 66. After flying into Albuquerque, we’ll be driving into Arizona, with plans to stop at the Petrified Forest at sunset and a stay at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook.
- Grand Canyon. Yup, it’s time to cross this one off the bucket list. We’ll be visiting friends in Flagstaff, staying on the more popular South Rim, and hopefully hiking into the canyon during our stay.
- Bryce Canyon. It was a toss-up between Bryce and Zion, but we just couldn’t pass up the chance to see that amphitheater.
- Mesa Verde. Pueblo cliff dwellings and ruins? Sign us up.
- Santa Fe. We’re hoping to meet up with friends, enjoy some green chile chicken, and soak up the atmosphere of this city’s historic downtown.
- Albuquerque. Originally just our fly in/fly out spot, this city has now earned an extra day on our itinerary: We’ll be attending the Balloon Fiesta while we’re there!
Any suggestions or recommendations? We’d love to hear them!
I currently live in Park City, and spent ten years in Durango, CO. Bryce is incredible, but you should also hit Moab/Arches Nat’l Park if you’re doing the insane red cliff thing. Boulder/Escalante, Utah is an awesome area- Hell’s Backbone Kitchen for food. If you’re going to do Mesa Verde, you have to drive the 45 minutes into Durango. Touristy things like the Narrow Gauge Railroad into Silverton (tiny mining town) would be a great blogging adventure. The loop that goes from Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Delores, Mancos and back to Durango is absolutely some of the prettiest in the West. (I recommend taking two days to do it and staying in Ouray. Stop along the way for photos and hikes, stay at the Belmont or another historic little B&B in Ouray, hit the hot springs or vapor caves there, and eat at the Bon Ton for dinner.) Oh, and in Santa Fe, you should hit the spa 10,000 Waves. I hear nothing but incredible things about it and it’s on my life list of places to visit. Hope that helps! SO fun!
Thanks for all the suggestions. Totally forgot to mention Arches–we are going there, too!
Love the Southwest!
hey jessica, this is my hood you’re talking about so I’ll throw in my 2 cents. We love to stay at the bright angel lodge ‘hiker lodge’ where simple rooms are dirt cheap and 40′ from the rim. not sure what you scored there already but cancellations happen daily and you can always find something great if you haven’t already. Definitely hike down the south kaibab trail – imho, one of the prettiest in the canyon. Arches – yummy, one of our local haunts in the spring and fall. Definitely make it out to Delicate – it never gets old. I worked for 5 years at Mesa Verde – balcony house is a fun tour if you can get on it…there is a lovely hiking trail, the petroglyph point trail that is nice in the mornings. Bryce is gorgeous and tangible (unlike some of the grander geologic features out here)…usual bliss is right, ‘our’ loop, the durango-silverton-ouray-ridgway-telluride loop is fantastic. ouray is one of my favorite spots on earth…in fact we’ll be moving into that neighborhood from Dolores in the next couple of months! blue lake ranch south of Hesperus is a LOVELY place to stay between Cortez and Durango (we got married there)…holler if you need any 4 corners info! and have a great time. cheers
Alisa
Sounds like a Great Trip – Happy Travelin – Enjoy!!! Have a Wonderful Day:)
I really enjoyed the drive to Sedona, AZ. The scenery is spectacular!
Thanks for the tips, everyone!
I live in Santa Fe! Be sure to pick up the Reporter – a local paper with much of what’s happening in town listed. Definitely check out the look out point in the Sangre’s and if you have time, try to hike Tent Rocks, Diablo Canyon, or the White Place in Abiquiu. :)
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Cool! If uou want some travel inspiration you are welcome to check my posts on Arizona:) especially our hike to havasu falls in the grand canyon was one of the most amazing things i’ve ever done, along with an African safari and a couple other adventures…. :) bon voyage and looking forward to your travel post:)
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