Michigan visit

padredw wrote:

punomatic wrote:
NM, TX, AR, TN

We think the best part of New Mexico is around Santa Fe and Taos. We have been there many times and always enjoy going back.

Since you don't have OK listed I think that means you will include some of the better parts of Texas (rather than just cutting across the panhandle at Amarillo on I-40). Lot's of people think they have been to Texas when all they have seen is this slice of the Panhandle. If you have time, April would be an ideal time to visit the Hill Country when the wildflowers, especially Bluebonnets, are at their peak. It would also be the best time to inclue Northeast Texas in your plans. Some wonderful state parks in this area, including Tyler S. P., Daingerfield S. P., Caddo Lake S. P.; and also great COE parks on Lake o' the Pines: Brushy Creek and Buckhorn. Depending on the exact dates there would also be wildflowers, dogwood trees, azaleas, and redbud trees here in the "piney woods" of East Texas.

We have just returned from a trip up to Arkansas. There are many outstanding state parks. I will only mention Petit Jean. Also Maumelle a COE park very near Little Rock but pleasantly separated from any urban conditions yet close to shopping if you should need or want anything.

Our most delightful experience in Arkansas was at Mountain View where we stayed right next door to the Ozark Folk Center and enjoyed the talents of young musicians and dancers.

In Tennessee there is Nashville, of course. We have also enjoyed staying on Land Between the Lakes in Northwestern TN and at David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg in Southcentral TN. On the North Carolina border with Tennessee there is the Smokey Mountain National Park, and a bit further north the Cumberland Gap National Park (actually in VA, but almost in TN and KY)

Here's hoping you are able to make that dip further south into Texas, and that Spring will be dressed in her finest.

Thanks for your insights. We have been to Santa Fe, which we loved. DW went to Taos with our DD, but she liked Santa Fe better.

We are actually thinking of taking I10 west from CA and dropping down to El Paso, then back up US180 to Carlsbad Caverns. We may stop at Guadalupe Mountains NP, too. Then we thought of taking US176 to I20 and on to Abilene (I've sung the song for years). We want to stop at the Dallas Museum of Science and Earth History.

From there I thought we would take I30 to Little Rock and I40 to Memphis and Nashville. Our friends live in Jamestown, TN. They want to take us to Dollywood.

So, yes, we will miss the TX panhandle. We have been to San Antonio and Fredricksburg in the hill country and loved that. This trip should take us right across the middle of the Lone Star State and up through the Piney Woods. Any suggestions for must sees along the route from Carlsbad Caverns to Dallas?

Thanks to all of you for your support and "local" knowledge. They are invaluable. We are getting very excited.