I would do Taos over Santa Fe anyday..
Santa Fe to me, is the Beverly Hills of New Mexico..do I really want to see a Louis Vuitton store..everything seems so faux to me..
sorry Deb..
I want rugged, unspoiled New Mexico which is so gorgeous and pure..
It would be a great road trip from Austin!

oops..just read your final decision..
I would so not go to Carlsbad!!

FWIW, there is no Louis Vitton store in Santa Fe. Nor any other designer store for that matter, that I know of at least.

Perhaps it seems faux, but honestly, when you live here, it is how things are and Santa Fe can be snooty and it can be warm, friendly and charming. I guess it depends on what you do in Santa Fe and where ya do it.

Sorry, bk, I have no helpful or first hand suggestions for you on Carlsbad. I hope you have a great time, it's the company that makes a trip special!

Deb

I'd swear I bought my wife a bag there but I was making a point that Santa Fe seems so contrived..maybe, I would have to live there but never would because I couldn't get past that vibe of it all..I see I am not alone with my feelings of SF from this thread..I don't get the snooty feel to SF..just ingenuine.
Taos to me seems so much real..and more of the New Mexico that I am looking for..
Just my two cents..

I hope you practice safe sex

s'ok ksucat - we all have different ideas about things. That is why there is vanilla and chocolate!

Deb

MichelleY,

Thanks for pointing out the obvious! I'm a mature adult, thank you.

There is no Louis Vuitton store in Santa Fe. And, my husband is grateful for that. There are many upscale local jewelry stores selling Cartier, Rolex and others but no name chains.

Santa Fe can be whatever you want. It can give you fine dining, luxury lodging and shopping for world-class art and jewelry. Or, Santa Fe can offer charming courtyards, local New Mexican dining, a slow stroll up Canyon Road taking in the scents of burning pinon, enjoying the bluest of blue skies while you wander in and out of fine art galleries. Whether you are wearing Keen sandals or Ferragamos, it's all good.

bkluvsNola,

It's an eleven hour drive from Austin to Santa Fe. But Santa Fe is wonderful and varied. Yes, it can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Keep it on your list of romantic places to visit with your girlfriend. It was the first trip I took with my husband before we married, checking to see if we were travel compatible, and the place where he later proposed and bought my ring. Each time we visit we enjoy some old favorite places and find some new ones. We are very happy together ten years later and going back soon to celebrate my upcoming birthday.

The National Park websites may help with trip planning.

Guadalupe Mountains NP
www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm

Carlsbad Caverns NP
www.nps.gov/cave

Also, I strongly recommend bringing a cooler with supplies ready for a picnic or two. Hopefully, you'll be able to find a great restaurant but you should be prepared with a back-up plan if that doesn't happen.

Where does she want to go?

I think the Carlsbad Caverns sounds like fun. (I'm a rock hounder at heart)But once the day is over + one night, you still need one more thing to do.
What about Ruidoso? My husband & I stayed in a darling little cabin on a river there. I think theres a casino in town too.
Its been a couple of years, so I don't remember the cabin name, but there were lots of them, and we just drove around until we found one we liked. That will fill the fun with Rocks and minerals w/end with some romance near the water, and it's in the southern part of the state!

Oops sorry, I didn't see your post that she'd be happy going either place. I'm not a fan of long car rides or going underground myself, so for me the Carlsbad Caverns thing wouldn't be my idea of romance. buena suerte, suze

suze,

Lisa_D,

We plan to go to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and hike the summit the first day and then do the Caverns the next day. There are many different tours, some of which are 2.5 hours long, so that will occupy the time. She is planning which hikes and tours to take, I'm getting the hotel.

suze,

I understand about the Caverns - they're not for everyone. I actually love Caverns, even though I wish they were a little bit warmer than 56 degrees (it will be a shock to my system from the warm weather to which I'm acclimated). I think they're mysterious, unique, and fascinating, which I think is romantic. I just hope she thinks the same.

I wouldn't have decided to go there if she said she wasn't interested, though. And the truth is I love National Parks and I'm glad she shares that interest.

Carlsbad Caverns were one on the stops for my parents on their honeymoon in 1950!! So it has to be romantic, doesn't it??? The got married in Las Vegas, stopped at the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forrest, Carlsbad Caverns, El Paso to visit cousins and finally San Angelo, TX to buy sheep. A honeymoon and business trip rolled into one!!

Your trip will have to be more romantic


MY

You do realize it will be really hot outside, right? Drink a lot of water and wear a hat and sunscreen, otherwise romance will be the last thing on y'all's minds!

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle,

We're having a really cool spell here - temps are only expected to be upper 70's to low 80's when we're there. Us Texans call that type of weather "cool".

Also, the caves are 56 degrees regardless of the outside weather.

Travel isn't always the way to see if someone will be around "long term" ... knowing someone and being with them Long Term generally is the way to find out.

Often people are on their best behavior or will snap when on a trip together .. especially early days in a relationship. A month is very early days.

Good luck .. we liked Carlsbad Caverns but it smells like bat sh*t and is damp and dank and can be unpleasant for some people .. especially if someone doesn't like being in closed in dark places..

Early days romance.. take her to a nice resort.