Arizona to New Mexico (Page 2): (duplicate deleted)...

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

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DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

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DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Genessi wrote:

Not going through Phoenix so I am looking at other stays with a view.Have my route mapped out through 85 and 8 then 10 towards tucson..

One of the most spectacular drives in Arizona is the drive up Mt. Lemmon, which is northwest of Tucson. If you have most of the day, it's an unforgettable side trip. There's a quaint little village on top called Summer Haven. There's also a spectacular ski lift ride, which is great in the summer. It's quite cool on top of the mountain (9000 foot altitude). We stayed in a great B&B called the Jeremiah Inn B&B - https://jeremiahinn.com/, which sits at the base of Mt. Lemmon. One thing you'll need to figure out, though, is figuring an overland route to the vicinity of Mt. Lemmon from the I-10 heading west, since you wouldn't want to drive to Tucson and double back. I think it can be done easily enough - we did it, and the scenery in-route was nice, too, although after 3 years I don't remember the roads we took.

Note - I seem be having some technical difficulties getting this to post, so I apologize if multiple copies appear, eventually.

Genessi Loc: SoCal

That B&B looks very nice.. We could possibly stay there and then head out to silver city. I also want to go to Saguaro Nat Park..

DWU2 wrote:

One of the most spectacular drives in Arizona is t... (show quote)

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Genessi wrote:

We will be heading to NM July 2-6 staying with friends. Planing on driving half way to N.M. and staying somewhere in Arizona for a night. I heard Gila bend was half ways. We have never been to Arizona and would like some tips on where to stay and explore as we head out to Silver City next day.
Thanks for any information.. I am excited!!

Try AAA. They have maps and information on your trips.

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

Genessi wrote:

We will be heading to NM July 2-6 staying with friends. Planing on driving half way to N.M. and staying somewhere in Arizona for a night. I heard Gila bend was half ways. We have never been to Arizona and would like some tips on where to stay and explore as we head out to Silver City next day.
Thanks for any information.. I am excited!!

Whenever someone asks about where and what to photograph in AZ, I always recommend this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-Vol-Arizona-3rd/dp/0916189260/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=laurent+martres&qid=1591099122&sr=8-1

And this one for NM:

https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-3-Colorado-Mexico-Soutwest/dp/0916189147/ref=pd_sbs_14_3/138-6717748-9772055?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0916189147&pd_rd_r=b83fcbf5-0e8a-43ed-b9de-c3fdbd5d0307&pd_rd_w=kPfr0&pd_rd_wg=8F90X&pf_rd_p=12b8d3e2-e203-4b23-a8bc-68a7d2806477&pf_rd_r=8A21VC1HVQFQX067PTBR&psc=1&refRID=8A21VC1HVQFQX067PTBR

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Genessi wrote:

We will be heading to NM July 2-6 staying with friends. Planing on driving half way to N.M. and staying somewhere in Arizona for a night. I heard Gila bend was half ways. We have never been to Arizona and would like some tips on where to stay and explore as we head out to Silver City next day.
Thanks for any information.. I am excited!!

I would put Tucson on the list. The Sonoran Desert Museum is a must see. Gates Pass at Sunset is another.
Not too far south of Tucson is the St. Xavier Mission its very interesting and lots of photo ops. Not to far past that is the Titan Missile Silo Musuem thats very, very interesting.
That being said I have no idea how the Virus is effecting these areas or openings.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Genessi wrote:

We will be heading to NM July 2-6 staying with friends. Planing on driving half way to N.M. and staying somewhere in Arizona for a night. I heard Gila bend was half ways. We have never been to Arizona and would like some tips on where to stay and explore as we head out to Silver City next day.
Thanks for any information.. I am excited!!

Don't forget 'The Thing', there are billboards everywhere...

Jalisco Cafe in Silver City, Red and Green Chili sauces are their forte'. Might head on up to the ghost town of Mogollon, very interesting history.

Return trip? Take the northern route up to Alpine/Springerville then over through Central New Mexico and Arizona which has some beautiful country but that will take you back through Phoenix.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Not much in the way of lodging n Gila Bend. I personally would not want to stay there.

TucsonDave Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Genessi wrote:

That is on our route. Only mentioned Gila bend because friends said that was half way to them if we wanted to stay over night.

I have lived in Phoenix and now Tucson for 33 years. Gila Bend is a very small town with a couple of motels. Not very photogenic in my opinion but they do have the Space Age lodge. Tucson is another 2 hours going toward New Mexico. You will no doubt be taking I-8 to I-10 east. A lot of open, desert landscapes, some hills, some mountains around Tucson.

Have a good trip!

wweary

Bring your polarizer!

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

LarryFB wrote:

There are actually two parts of Saguaro National P... (show quote)

I agree and am in Benson as we speak. Besides the Caverns, you could drive to Ft Huachuca in Sierra Vista then swing over to Tombstone then down to Bisbee and see one of the deepest open pit copper
mines and old west towns. You could then drive over to Cochise Stronghold and finish the loop back up to I-10 in Wilcox and see the Rex Allen museum.

steve82009 Loc: Cheyenne, WY/Cochise, AZ

My suggestion. On line go to “azpm.org”. Search for the desert speaks. Then search for 30 minutes from the highway.
There are lots of things to stop and see on I-10 from the California line all the way to the New Mexico line. Enjoy your trip. Make sure the air conditioning in the vehicle works.

ethelsnakes

Silver City has some photogenic back streets and the drive out to Gila Cliff Dwellings is slow, but the hike around the cliff dwellings is well worth it.

Ed Commons

SteveR wrote:

My one gripe about driving through NM on the interstates is that there are no pullovers at highly photographable areas.

If I'm on Interstate 40 (old route 66) I stay on the access road (mostly the old highway) I can take my time a look for photo ops and not have to dodge trucks and other vehicles, and can pull over. Sometimes I have to use a crossover (under) to get on the other side if I see something interesting enough to . Sometimes I meet interesting people and locals this way, and learn about other photo ops.

Unless I'm on a time deadline, I always take the access road and side trips.