We've been thinking of taking a trip to NM and AZ in mid-August, as the time of year fits best around summer jobs and the school year. We're concerned, however, that it might be too hot. Any advice?

Which parts of AZ/NM are you considering? Phoenix and Tuscon are considerably hotter than the higher elevations.

My advice is that it doesn't matter.

If that is your time frame, what are your choices? Go when the kids can go, they won't be around long.

Plus we don't know what "too hot" means to you.

I think you'd be OK. Just stay out of the sun in midday. Find some swimming holes, go to a museum, take a long lunch. It generally gets cool at night, you might even need a light jacket or sweater.

We visited Sedona (via Phoenix) last August, and it was in the mid-80s and low 90s; mornings were pleasant, cooled off nicely in the evening. I guess it depends on what you're used to--home during that same week would have been about the same temperatures, but much greater humidity (tempered by a nice sea breeze).

Now for hot, do what we did and it will make Sedona seem arctic. On our last day, we went to the botanical garden in Phoenix in the late afternoon. The temperature at ground level was over 100. We drank water like crazy, and walked around just appreciating an aspect of nature--desert heat--we never get to experience.

U might also wanna keep in mind that monsoon season is around that time. So if you're coming to the phx/tucson area, not only will it be HOT, it'll be humid and sometimes really rainy

I've been to Sante Fe, Tucson, and Vegas (more than once) during the month of August. It was hot, hot, hot in all three locales. But I don't regret my choices, and would do it again. The extreme weather is even kind of part of the fun...

"Hot" in Santa Fe in August will be around 90 degrees; Albuquerque might be 95 degrees; Carlsbad would be around 100 degrees. It will be cooler in the mountains.

As Leslie_B mentioned, it will also be monsoon season, so it will be more humid in the afternoons, but the clouds usually clear out by evening and it will be quite pleasant. Of course, "more humid" around here means anything over 20 percent, so depending on where you're from, it might not bother you.

Lee Ann

Leslie B's comment reminded me that we indeed encountered a fierce thunderstorm that night in Phoenix--luckily we were aleady in for the night.

And while we were in Sedona, we had two brief storms in the late afternoon and early evening. That turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip--the lightning was so brilliant against that crisp high country air!

In a word, DITTO to placeu2, totally! (oh wait, thats two words ) We always go out west in the summer since that's when we can go, and always have a great time. You will too!

Many DFW folks spend August in San Diego along with the ...Zonians.
M