Gsturner wrote:
...Heading out across either US 50-56 to Clayton NM, or down US 54 to Tucumcari...
We have driven all three through Kansas a number of times, but never in the winter. Not sure what may be open or closed. I know that the middle of America and Sodhouse Museum in Kinsley closes for the winter. US-50 will take you through Dodge City if you were a "Gunsmoke" fan.
Clayton Lake State Park has a campground and dinosaur tracks. From Clayton US-412 will take you to I-25 and Las Vegas where there is
Fort Union National Monument.
South on I-25 is Santa Fe with lots to see and do including:
Bandelier National Monument,
Pecos National Historic Site,
Museum Hill, the
Canyon Road Galleries, and the Plaza. The drive up to the Ski area is a very scenic drive.
Going South from Santa Fe, the
Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe takes you through the old mining towns of Madrid (where the movie "Wild Hogs" was filmed) and Cerrilos. Also South of Santa Fe is
Tent Rocks National Monument. If conditions permit, the drive up to the Veterens Memorial Overlook is worth visiting in my opinion.
Lots to see and do in Albuequerque including
Petroglyph National Monument and
Pueblo Cultural Center.
Tucumcari is an old Route 66 town. We enjoyed the Foundary and dinosaur museum at the College and got a tour of the windfarm training facility. Their are murals on buildings scattered throughout the town. Between Tucumcari and Albuquerque are
El Malpais National Monument,
El Moro National Monument,
Acoma Sky City,
Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano,
The Blue Hole, and the
Mining Museum.
I'm sure you realize that you will have to watch the weather carefully.