Trip Planning Time - New Mexico

One of the greatest pleasures I get out of life is traveling.  And since having kids, I love opening up new worlds and places to them.  In recent years, we've had to seriously cut back on trips.  And I mean seriously cut back.  But every year, usually around February, I start to plan a summer trip and can usually save us some money here and there because of this advanced planning.

Last year we did a very budget trip to Sanibel Island, Florida using nothing but a holiday bonus for all pre-planning (air, hotel, car).  We then saved up a few dollars a month to cover meals and incidentals.  It was a great trip for not much $$.  My son declares that as his favorite trip so far.  I'll have to do a Sanibel trip report soon because I truly think it is one of the best US family destinations going.

This year I'm very excited to start planning an August trip to New Mexico.  We have settled on the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas, but there is just so much to see out there that I would need three weeks to cover it all.  Hoping we can fit in a few Southern New Mexico sites as well (I really want to see White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns).

Trip planning has been a passion of mine for as long as I remember.  Without exaggeration, I can spend 100s of hours planning a weekend away.  Hopefully this trip will be more like seven to ten days.

Here are some pictures and links for anyone else interested in visiting lovely New Mexico.  As soon as the plans are set, I'll share those too if you like.  And of course, after all is said and done, a trip report is a must!  My apologies in advance to anyone who doesn't love immersing themselves in all the minute details of another family's vacation.  I love it!

All photos found on Google Images - they are not my own.

Carlsbad Caverns

Bandelier National Monument - there will be lots of climbing here

White Sands National Monument

Hello sledding in August!

From "snowy" adventures to white water rafting - we will be doing this!

Plenty of Native American sites for a little education

Petroglyph National Monument

Pueblo homesteads - hoping to witness some ceremonial dances

Afraid of heights?  The Sandia Peak Tramway may not be your thing

And plenty of plain old wilderness to explore! 

Oh my gosh, and there is just so much more!

So from now until August, I will be planning, re-planning, formulating itineraries, obsessively checking airline and car rental prices, and most importantly, researching the best places to EAT (OCD type A anyone?).  Can't wait to share my actual photos with you all.  Time to get back to practicing with my camera!!  Too many great photo ops on the horizon.

Any other travel buffs out there?  Where will your wanderlust be taking you?