You can see and do pretty much anything you might like, except
beach-resort things (there's plenty of sand but it's a bit skosh on
ocean...) Here are some ideas depending on what you're interested in,
and how far east you can go and still think you're going from Holbrook
to Tucson.
In September there are several specific events:
http://www.santafefiesta.org/schedule.html
Santa Fe Fiesta (note: the burning of Zozobra is scheduled for
September 8 on that 2005 calendar, but the Zozobra homepage has 2004
information).
http://www.virtualalbuquerque.com/VirtualABQ/StateFair/
State Fair, Sept. 9-25, Albuquerque.
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, Sept. 30-Oct. 9. Make lodging
reservations early or be self-sufficient. Even though it's capped at
750 balloons these days, it's still the most hot air you'll get in
October in an election off-year.
http://www.indianpueblo.org/index.cfm?module=ipcc&pn=17
Pueblo Indian things (the Cultural Center in Albuquerque is a good
first stop, and can tell you which events welcome outsiders and give
other tips).
http://www.gallupnm.org/events/month.php?year=2005&month=09
(closest part of NM)
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?ovi=1&zoom=3&mapdata=slIDb%2fBv9J%2b2u%2fr4UZMp2vDv12NAGLhPo5v6qYaPt9w2xo%2fDkzL9nQBWCBdVvHiaDCecsZnUPtb83lgBrnbbGqakz3DGX73FWXjfMMtG2%2bec4iW%2b1z10wzkbm6HqM%2bmmUovimlEq5JqVSUXYPlyHHOGquRXX76TmQAhsHdfFbHujdVnqbuzrNZqnJ%2fFZLLRgxdU0OlhwGss0FnJda3s3z664tQVVEHxCRt3zUY1tHF20dH6xsgxd2TNhIS%2b2ytBX5PO98H58M3Yh71GGRq6drz92DT4%2fVPyvAdjJyKqjM3wHe7wrMEDxYVM2uKMoUVC7uwGBxIo7gv68f7i%2f0p1zDUI8JL7ZmLYYzZDiP2gYGkhSRMa45YPKCck2Cfhd6AYyftTSMasnyEnUt13%2fM9CLiw%3d%3d
US 180 down through Luna and Glenwood is a very pretty drive. Great
way to beat the summer heat, not as much steering exercise as 191 down
through your side of the Gilas but nonetheless enjoyable; or you could
head east on US 60 out of St. John's and see the Very Large Array
http://www.vla.nrao.edu/genpub/tours/
and make your way down to Truth or Consequences and then over the
mountains to Silver City:
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/SouthWest/NM/NM_2.shtml
Interesting side trip to the cliff dwellings:
http://www.nps.gov/gicl/pphtml/planyourvisit.html
What's going on down in the general area of Silver City:
http://www.desertexposure.com/200506/
And of course
http://www.nmmagazine.com/cgi-bin/links.cgi
...a big list of links.
Enjoy your trip,
--Joe
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