Arizona, here i come!

[Gsturner]

Time for my annual snowbird trial run. Ultimate destination, Congress AZ. Stopping to visit friends near Rio Rancho, NM and Phoenix along the way. Discovered Escapees Ranch in Congress a couple of years ago. Perfect launch site for day trips on either Zuki or in truck. Heading out across either US 50-56 to Clayton NM, or down US 54 to Tucumcari. I try to spend a minimum amount of time on Interstates. I delayed my start a bit to allow this current winter storm to pass thru. Looking to head out this Thu or Fri. Any "must-see" or "you oughtta check this out" suggestions along the way would be welcome.

[milo]

harley-dave wrote:
191 Used to be route 666 in the old days.

Enjoy
Dave

NO! 191 is still 191 ...Hiway 491 is the old "666" which runs between Gallup NM & Monticello UT.

[Hank85713]

right now not good travel weather on any of the northern back roads. 191 is sometime shutdown due to snow and it is/was not maintained from hannigan meadow south dont know if that has changed.

191 from 40 going south is rough as a cobb and not much fun besides there is nothing but miles and miles of nothing if looking for scenery. I also think that there is a length limit on 191 out of alpine and personally would not try to take a TT/5w either direction on it (doubt if I would in a rv either). its approx 115 miles from springerville to clifton, took over 4 hrs when I did it in a pu with cabover camper, did it on a motorcycle in much less time. Do your homework before attempting.

[Desert_Captain]

harley-dave wrote:
You like curvy roads (I do) try AZ hiway 191 from Alpine to Morenci or 3 way. Across 78 into NM where you pick up 180 for the trip back to Alpine. Fuel every major stop because there's not many gas stations but lots of curves. That's the curviest road in the country, called the Devils highway. 191 Used to be route 666 in the old days.

Enjoy
Dave

X2 great road but watch out for all of the deer and cattle that like to dart out or just stand in the middle of the road. Rode it on fathers day last year on my BMW. Awesome!

:B

[trailertraveler]

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.

[harley-dave]

You like curvy roads (I do) try AZ hiway 191 from Alpine to Morenci or 3 way. Across 78 into NM where you pick up 180 for the trip back to Alpine. Fuel every major stop because there's not many gas stations but lots of curves. That's the curviest road in the country, called the Devils highway. 191 Used to be route 666 in the old days.

Enjoy
Dave

[Gsturner]

I'm semi-retired. Drive a Motor Coach (Charter bus) primarily because I really enjoy it, and of course enjoy the revenue it generates. February is always a slow month in the business, so I count on it as my mini snowbird-trial month.

2013--Had a travel buddy-got as far as Phoenix. Basically just wandered all over NM and AZ for a few weeks.

2014--Ran solo--visited friend in Phoenix, headed west thinking "Gotta check out Quartzsite." Got to Wickenburg, thought I should spend the night, top off propane and water, then head into the lonely desert. Didn't care for the campgrounds in Wickenburg--looked in rv parking app on my phone, found Escapees North Ranch a few miles north in Congress. I joined Escapees in Summerdale AL a few months earlier, so I got a discount there. Got up there and paid for two nights. Next day, slipped my Zuki out of the back of the truck and headed north. A few miles up, and AZ 89 starts this twisty climb toward Yarnell. For decades, I always envisioned riding a weavy-windy road like this. The time had come. Continue across a plateau for about a dozen miles, and there is a second, even more twisty ascent to Prescott. I went back and paid for a week (buy 6 days, get one free!) Glorious daily sunsets included at no extra charge. Spent every day wandering out in every direction on either Zuki or truck, including a day trip to check out Quartzsite. No regrets on Q not being destination. Left out of Congress the first of March to head to Terrell, TX to drive the southern section of a major troop movement from Fort Riley, KS to Fort Polk, LA (total of 5 runs from Terrell to Fort Polk).

2015--My son got married the first of March in Orlando. (Two Disney cast members getting married, surrounded by fellow cast members, Universal and Sea World employees--sure not gonna miss that scene!). Ran out of Kansas City area on a dead run due south thru Arkansas and Louisiana to out run the snow. Spent several days running along the Gulf Coast on the way to Orlando.

2016--back out to Congress, weather permitting.

[was_butnotnow]

Time for my annual snowbird trial run.
So where have you tried in years past?