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My wife and I are flying into Albuquerque from the UK in February for 3 weeks. Our intention is to drive down to Carlsbad Caverns via Roswell and other towns along the way. After that we hope to travel through North Texas, into Oklahoma, south Kansas left into Colorado and then end our trip visiting Taos and Santa Fe on our way back to Albuquerque. Nothing in our trip is "definite" as yet except for out arrival/departure dates. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to see/avoid. What weather can I expect in February - especially in New Mexico. We are in no rush on our travels and we enjoy the drive just as much as the sights. We live on an island 7 1/2 miles wide by 5 miles and, everytime we come to the USA, its nice to travel long distances! Thanks for any advice you can give! Terry

If you have not done something similar in the past - a visit to the pueblo in Taos is unique. There is a fee to visit and you will be asked for $ prior to taking a photo,; we learned something new on our visit. In the Taos/Santa Fe area you might run into snow; be prepared for those driving conditions. Enjoy your time!

Terry, With all due respect to the fine residents of TX, OK, and KS, why do you want to visit those places in February? There is not much to see and you could easily encounter nasty weather (snow, sleet, ice) which would delay your travels. The drive from Wichita KS to Denver CO is 8 plus hours on Interstate 70 and is, at best, mind numbing. Having said that, perhaps you have some very specific destinations or family/friends in mind.... in which case the locals can stomp on me and give you better advice on what to see. Have you considered going west from New Mexico to Arizona (Tuscon and Phoenix) and over to San Diego? Colorado is also an excellent destination (as are the places in New Mex you mentioned) but frozen precipitation can be a factor travelling here as well. But at least if you get delayed your chances are greater that you'll be somewhere interesting. Denver is a great city with plenty to do and see.

I have to ditto Marie's comments. With as much time as you have it would be nice to visit other areas as well. San Diego, Az. are great this time of year, not that far either. Considering the travel distance you are coming it would be great to get a full flavor of other popular states, since you are pretty close to begin with.

thanks, tjc & Marie, for your reply. Unfortunately, my job dictates the vacation dates that I can take (February!) and I have always took 3 weeks of vacation time when travelling to USA to see as much as I can. To Marie, I have covered all of the East & West Coast of America over the past few years and spent 3 weeks early this year travelling through Arizona and back to the West Coast. The states I hope to see this time are the last few that I havent visited. The weather in Arizona in February/March this year was very good and assumed that New Mexico would be similar! Is the southerly part of New Mexico less susceptible to snow etc?

Terry, I understand that most of us travel when we can and maximize our opportunities when we go. My recollection that the southern part of New Mexico is warm like Tuscon during the day but cooler at night. Haven't spent enough time there to know about snow. Santa Fe and Taos and environs are at a higher altitude than Albuquerque. It can be a scorching 90 odd in Albq and very pleasant in Santa Fe only an hour or so away. I'd focus most of my time on New Mexico and Colorado. Good luck in TX, OK and KS and keep an eye on the weather forecast . That said, you sound very open minded and I know I've always found something interesting no matter where I've travelled. The one possible exception might be that trip on I70 Kansas to Colorado. More cows, flat land and super highway than anyone needs in a lifetime! I hope you get some feedback on places to visit. Consider reposting with some specific destinations in mind and you'll likely draw some good replies.

Terry - Sounds like you've seen a lot of the U.S. already. I would ditto the previous comments on Kansas and Oklahoma, but it sounds like you know what you're doing. I assume you'll drive into Colorado from the east (Kansas), then south from Denver down to Taos/Santa Fe. Though you'll have the snow in the Rockies to deal with in February, also give some thought to visiting Mesa Verde, in the southwest corner of Colorado. There's not much like the ruins there anywhere else in the world, and I don't think the sites will be snow-covered (and it will be much cooler than visiting in the summer). Then you can drive south from there and approach Santa Fe/Taos from the west. On the snow, because I-70 west is a major trucking route, and because in the mountains it's the route for the skiiers, the Highway Dept. does a great job of clearing the roads. Unless you're in the midst of a snowstorm, you'll be unlikely to be delayed by snow. In the Denver area (Denver is in the plains right to the east of the mountains), we rarely get much snow, and when we do, it quickly dries up and disappears, because our humidity is so low. Taking the above-mentioned route, if you're interested in history, you can visit several old mining towns on the drive west through Colorado (and skiing, of course); Georgetown, Leadville, Breckenridge, etc. If you want to visit a mine, I know the Country Boy Mine outside of Breckenridge is open year-round, and I'm sure others are too. I live in Denver, and I wouldn't say it's a great place with plenty to see and do; I'd suggest you spend your time in other places, such as the mountains, Santa Fe or Taos! If you can't make Mesa Verda, our favorite route from the Denver area to Taos is to drive south on I-25, then go west at Walsenburg (I'm assuming you already have a good map of the area). Then south at Fort Garland, and go all the way to Taos. This is faster than going all the way on I-25, the pass (La Veta) is low, and the trip south through the valley in that area (I forget the name) is starkly beautiful. You can also go south on I-25, then west on 64 to Taos, which goes through the beautiful Cimarron Canyon, but the twisting road gets tiring after a while. Or, of course, you can drive straight from Denver to Santa Fe on I-25. If you're interested in pottery, especially the gorgeous black Santa Clara pottery, make time for Santa Clara "pueblo," which is between Taos and Santa Fe. It's not a separate pueblo, just members of the pueblo who live in that area. Many of the potters sell their pieces from their homes or galleries attached to their homes. A much more meaningful experience than buying from a store (and better prices!) We like Taos, and usually stay there one night, but there really isn't much going on there (probably why we like it). Santa Fe has lots more to see and do. Stay within walking distance of the plaza in Santa Fe. There are many fine bed and breakfast places in both Taos and Santa Fe, as well as luxurious hotels in Santa Fe. The folk art museum in Santa Fe is fantastic - I was captivated by it! Feel free to e-mail with questions on the Colorado/New Mexico area.

thanks again for all your replies and advice. Okay, looks as though I will probably miss out the other states bar New Mexico and Denver unless the weather looks favourable when I get there. My wife has already picked out almost every town in New Mexico to visit so I will be lucky to leave the state at all! To Lexma90, thanks for the tips on places to visit and we are intending to stay in B&Bs every night. The mines and potteries sound a definite yes to visit. I will certainly email for your further advice and knowledge. Many thanks to you all Terry

Something I enjoyed was Pecos National Park east of SantaFe. Indian Ruins, and a Kiva that you can enter. It was the site of a village where the natives revolted against the Christianity being forced upon them by European settlers/missionarys, so they consequently built their kiva right in the church grounds. (Did this on a cross country bicycle trip in 1991 so I don't remember exact locations) Also enjoyed, but would not consider a must see - Dodge City, KS. don't remember the name, but the evening "saloon show" was fun, and walking the grounds was interesting. Also nearby was the Dalton Gang home. While you don't seem to be going that far west, something I thought a major disappointment was the Meteor Crater near Winslow AZ. The almost sleepy town of Las Vegas NM (note again: NM) was quite interesting. Also visited Puye Indian Dwellings somewhat near SantaFe too, where you can climb and walk the ledges, exploring the site. Hope you enjoy your visit.

If you can find the guide book Southwest US in 14 Days, do so--maybe onAmazon. It is a treasure trove of info and gives ideas of tours beginning at several cities. Instead of going east to Texas,OK, Kansas go west--at least to the Grand Canyon. Then north through Utah seeing Arches, Moab and other wonders of the West. Then east on I70 through the Colorado ski country to Denver. If you have to return to Albuquerque go south in Colorado--see the Air Force academy at Colo. Springs and even the great sand dunes in southeastern Colo. The Indan villages of NM and Arizona are not to be missed--Zuni, HOpi, Navajo. Canyon de Cheyelles and Mesa Verde--for sure!! If your wife is going to shop for silver jewelry do NOT buy it anywhere except Flagstaff--that is where it all comes from!! Please believe me, you do not want to go east to Texas, etc.--it is a vast prairie which you can get caught up on REAL fast.

You should visit Texas... although the trip east from Albuquerque to Amarillo is really somewhat unremarkable. Amarillo has a few attractions such as the Cadillac Ranch - a work of art made of autos buried in the ground, and some shops on the fabled Route 66... but the main attraction is the Palo Duro canyon... the "Grand Canyon of Texas". Eastern Texas contains most of the visitor appeal, and you can order a large guidebook of its small towns and large cities from the state visitors center, but the visitor appeal is its villages and towns and cities... you should especially look at the German Hill Country in the eastern part of the state. You might want to consider what is the purpose of your traveling... seeing mountains or meeting new peoples and societies. I know that when I go to Europe, for example, I don't enjoy Holland or France or England because of mountains and lakes, but because I can visit cities and appreciate other cultures. And you will find the various cultures and peoples of Texas and Louisiana very open to you.

I should also mention that February in Texas and Oklahoma is the beginning of spring. The weather is much colder farther west that time of year, but in Eastern Texas and Oklahoma, the warmer weather from the Gulf of Mexico is starting to bring warmer air and bluer skies.

Thank you all for your kind suggestions and taking the time to assist. I have read many threads on this website and find some replies to be derogatory to both people and parts of the USA but you have all been positive and helpful. Many thanks to you all and I will post my holiday adventures when I return! Best wishes to you all for 2003 and beyond. Terry