US 550 Albuquerque to Durango
We are planning our annual trek to Seattle from Texas and I want to go a new way to Spokane for a few days to play golf before pushing on to Seattle. The part of the trip that I haven't pulled is Alb...
Forum Discussion
milo wrote:
BillMFI, sure you were on same 550 between Bernalillo & Durango. I've driven it several gazillion times and have never seen it how you describe it. You got it confused with 491 between Gallup & Shiprock. Now that's a butt ugly drive.
Nope I've never driven 491. And to be fair, I did exagerate a little. Its the section between Bloomfield and Cuba that was rather bleak. There are way more interesting options on 84 although the drive is longer if you are coming from Albuquerque. I love New Mexico and try to get there as ofton as possible and my personal advice to someone who has the time would be to take 84 and stop along the way to see the many scenic areas along the way. 550 is shorter andhas the back entrance to Bandolier/ Los Alamos and the entence to Chaco but 84 has so much rugged scenery, the green vally of the Rio Chama and Rio Grande, Abiquiu Lake Park, Ghost Ranch, Oho Caliente,Elvado Lake SP, Heron Lake SP, Cumbre & Toltec Scenic RR, Pagosa Springs just to name a few. And I can't not stop at the Tesuque Indian Reservation Flea Market when I pass that way. I've become friends with some of the vendors there over the years. For those who are willing to leave the main highways, New Mexico is loaded with hidden jems and one of my most favorite states.
