Thanks for the suggestion, Deb, Chaco does look awesome in those photos. I know a lot of people would have no problem driving two hours each way for a day trip, but we've found that's just too far for us. About one hour each way is our limit for day trips.

But maybe we still will add a night to Tamaya since it sounds like we could do Tent Rocks from there and Coronado Monument. What's Bernalillo like? Staying at least two nights in each spot is more relaxing and makes it worth packing up and moving. Plus Tamaya looks like such a nice place it would be a shame to rush it.

About how long is the drive to Tent Rocks from Tamaya?

I really appreciate your help!

Bernalillo is an old agricultural town, about 25 minutes north of ABQ. http://www.townofbernalillo.org/about.htm
Some great local eats too!

Coronado is small, but nice.
http://www.townofbernalillo.org/depts/monument.htm

Tent Rocks is about 30 minutes from Tamaya [15 on I25 and 15 on local road].

I understand about 2 hours each way to Chaco. Out here, we tend not to mind driving to get to places, it is pretty much a way of life :)

Another fun spot to check out would be the little village of Corrales, about 15 minutes south of Tamaya. Quaint area and a few wonderful shops that I highly recomment. http://www.corrales-nm.org/

I love this shop - they have a self serve shop and you can get some great deals on "seconds"
http://www.hanselmannpottery.com/

ABQ has a wonderful zoo [I volunteer there] as well as a beautiful Botanical Garden. Great photo opps!

http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/HanaMatsuri

Is this trip for this year or next??

Maybe we can do sunset cocktails?

It's for this year, our 30th anniversary :)

Cocktails is a nice idea, although we're pretty spur of the moment on vacation (don't even like to make dinner reservations so we're not constrained if we're out and about enjoying something). So it would have to be last minute. Once my husband gets outside with his camera, all bets are off. And it looks like there is going to be lots of wonderful scenery to experience!

There are great camera opportunities taking the high road to Taos. It's a beautiful, two-lane road winding through scenic areas.

Also, Ghost Ranch (Abiquiu), about 1 hour 15 from Santa Fe has the red hills Georgia O'Keefe loved to paint. There are many opportunities there as well. You can have lunch in Abiquiu at Bode's Food and Tackle. You can get it to go and have a picnic lunch at Ghost Ranch sitting under the cottonwood trees. It's a beautiful spot.

Congrats on 30 years!