OK, I'm sure this will be criticized, but just want to offer my suggestion.

We wanted to visit some of the same places you mentioned around Santa Fe (Bandelier, Los Alamos, Valle Verde) so decided to stay in White Rock at (horrors) a Hampton Inn. It was very clean and comfortable and seemed like a logical location for day trips to the above places. No, there wasn't any night life, but we were rather tired from our daytime explorations. Spent a day in Santa Fe, which I realize probably just scratched the surface. We SO wanted to visit Tent Rocks, but the site was still closed last October when we were there.

I suppose either place would be okay for a day trip to Taos, but we were so glad we opted for 3 nights in Taos after leaving White Rock and before heading to Canyon de Shelly.

A I said, just another thought for you.

Thanks, Clousie, Debit, and everybody. This weekend I'm going to analyze and organize all these suggestions so I can make maximum use of them.

HTTY

Thank you, all, I find this helpful for me too.