“Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi. Learn to know the Dark Side of the Force …” – Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith
This is a shout-out to anyone that has been a traveler to, or resident near, places that were once part of the Wild West. For the past nine months or so, Dad Windu has thrown himself into learning about the people and places from this unique period in American history, particularly Wyatt Earp and his ilk. Padawan Learner and I briefly covered this time period at the end of last year and are revisiting it again early this year, so it is a fortunate merging of interests.
Considering the stressfulness of the past year, particularly the past seven months, we’re considering a trip to visit some of these places. Regardless of what happens to his position within the Galactic Republic, Dad Windu needs a break. “Financial insecurity, be damned,” I say. He’s earned this road-trip.
We would most likely be going sometime in early- or mid-winter (can you say, off-season), and we’re looking to do our roaming in either Texas and New Mexico or New Mexico and Arizona (via Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma). Do any of you have places you’d especially recommend for a visit, or recommend we avoid? Are there any places that have maintained their Old West history particularly well, or that have sadly turned their history into too much of a kitschy circus to bother? Inquiring minds want to know!
We’re huge fans of the National Parks as well, so we may try to fit a few of those in too. It just seems wrong to go all the way to Arizona and NOT see the Grand Canyon, or New Mexico and Carlsbad Caverns, or Texas and Big Bend. I know. I know. I sound like a former co-worker who flew in from The Netherlands and expected to see NYC, Disney World, the Grand Canyon and LA during his week-long visit – to the Midwest. The US just seems so much more manageable on Google maps. Oh well, at least we’re planning to give ourselves three weeks…
Oh dear, I’ve lived in Arizona and should be able to tell you all the places you have to visit. Give me a few hours while I try to remember and let you know.
I’ve got some ideas about southern Arizona if you’re interested. My kids thought Tumacacori National Historical Park was pretty cool. If you’re thinking about southern AZ, let me know, I’ll scare up some more ideas.
ScoutMom – I’m beginning to think we’re going to run out of time before we get into AZ! We’ve scaled back a state, for now, and are likely to end up going no farther than Silver City, NM.
Ok, I’m thinking it is time for you to throw your hat into the ring of the Field Trip Wars. You are a shoe-in with this one!!! I’m mightily jealous. We had planned a trip out to the Badlands for last month, and R-T could never get the requisite 2-weeks off from work, unfortunately. I’ll be thinking of any past excursions we’ve made, and any must-see spots. So excited for you guys!!
T-T: *sheepish grin* I did think of throwing my hat into the FTW ring.
After hundreds of blogs on homeschooling (something I know nothing about), I can help with this one!
I LOVE THE GRAND CANYON. I’ve been to both the north rim and the south. Go to the south and avoid the north.
Monument Valley and Moab, UT are both great to visit…loved Arches National Park.
I’ve been to Tombstone, AZ. It was worth it if you are near Tucson. There are many historic places still there.
Have you been watching Ken Burns’ National Parks documentary? Awesome.
Brian: We sure did watch it. It was beautiful! I took naps in the afternoon last week (while I was sick) just so I could watch it without falling asleep.
I second the plug for Arches Nat. Park. Sounds like a fantastic trip!
1. While we were in Albuquerque we made a two day trip south and west and had a great time seeing:
a. It’s not “western” but the The Very Large Array is awesome and well worth the visit – http://www.vla.nrao.edu/
b. And in the prehistoric vein we explored the Gila cave dwellings, they are not as touristy as the other ones, but are up the road from Silver City – http://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_City,_New_Mexico – which has Billy the Kid connections.
Carlsbad is amazing as well.
um, other than that off the top of my head I’d suggest finding and visiting the old missions. Most are still in use and beautiful to see.
If I think of anything else I’ll come back.
Meg: I’m glad you recommended The Very Large Array. I mentioned it to DW and he looked at me a little funny. I was wondering about the Gila cave dwellings. PL was particularly interested in seeing something along that line.
Oh that sounds like a wonderful trip! I can’t help you one iota with the planning, but I’ll look forward to reading all about it.
Oh, have I got stories… I spent the entire summer traveling a loop from Chicago through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, and a few more. At the beginning of the road trip, I tried to share our stories on my blog. Very quickly, I fell further and further behind. Now that I’ve been back home for a month, I’m still stunned by the adventure, and can’t quite focus long enough to spit it all out.
Here’s where I started: How To Plan A Read Across America Road Trip http://www.onlivingbylearning.com/2009/05/25/how-to-plan-a-read-across-america-road-trip/
Sandra: I was wondering when you would pipe in!
Old Town in Albuquerque for a delightful afternoon. And then be sure and eat at Sadie’s for the best Mexican and salsa! (A local favorite.) Yesterdaves is fun too.
Be sure and ride the tram up the mountain. Pretty interesting because you get to see different plant/trees as the altitude goes up, up, up!
We lived in Albuquerque once upon a time; it’s very friendly.
Santa Fe is a fun city just north of Albuquerque….a little touristy but worth stopping and enjoying the galleries and some more great Mexican food.
Really….the food is just fantastic. That’s were I developed my hankering for green chilies. Num, num!
Sounds like you’ve got some wonderful suggestions! I have nothing to add, except enjoy your trip and bring back lots of photos.
Sounds like a fun trip! My favorite place in the whole world is Colorado. So, I would recommend Rocky Mountain National park. Also, in Colorado there is a tiny town called Nederland on the mountains. It isn’t too far from Boulder and not a lot there, but just a nice old mountain town to sit in an old bar and have a cup of coffee.
I live in Texas, email me or FB me for some in-depth goings on about things you might could visit here in the freaking weirdness of the Lone Star State, my home, my wonderland….