New Mexico Tour by Air

[COFlyBoy]

We are taking a family vacation around NM next Tuesday (3/30).
Here's the plan:

CO12 (Home)
SXU Santa Rosa, Land on Route 66, Check out Blue Hole, Grab some lunch
CNM Carlsbad, Caverns, Caverns, Caverns - 2 nights
5T6 Santa Teresa, Check out the Warbird Museum
ALM Alamogordo, White Sands - 1 night
CNM Socorro, Trinity Site Tour (First Saturday of April) - 1 night
ALS Alamosa, Reptile farm - 1 night
La Veta Pass (if the weather's good, long way around if the weather's bad)
CO12
~9 flight hours

Anyone got any suggestions for cool things to see on that route?

 

[SCCutler]

Man alive, that sounds like fun.

You might want to get in touch with Nick Brennan, who a few years ago tried to fly to every public airport in the state (and I think he danged-near did it).

Sure sounds like fun.

 

[AdamZ]

Awesome trip. You will be required to post plent of photos on your trip report here!

 

[AuntPeggy]

We are taking a family vacation around NM next Tuesday (3/30).
Here's the plan:

CO12 (Home)
SXU Santa Rosa, Land on Route 66, Check out Blue Hole, Grab some lunch
CNM Carlsbad, Caverns, Caverns, Caverns - 2 nights
5T6 Santa Teresa, Check out the Warbird Museum
ALM Alamogordo, White Sands - 1 night
CNM Socorro, Trinity Site Tour (First Saturday of April) - 1 night
ALS Alamosa, Reptile farm - 1 night
La Veta Pass (if the weather's good, long way around if the weather's bad)
CO12
~9 flight hours

Anyone got any suggestions for cool things to see on that route?

Hello, sounds like a lot of fun. Can't contribute much, but thought you might like to read about our trip about 10 years ago when we had just learned to fly and stopped at Santa Rosa. http://auntpeggy.home.att.net/CATrek/CATrek7.html

 

[Clark1961]

Maybe stop in SAF. Artsy-crafty type shopping on the square and plenty of good eats to choose from. Taos is a similar, although smaller, opportunity along with touring the Taos pueblo.

La Veta low MOA has been active lately and Denver center can't see you until you're on the east side of the bumps. There appears to be a brand new airstrip northeast of Fort Garland. It isn't on the chart but the strip is definitely there. No paint and all the dirtwork appears fresh. Nice to know it's there if ya have a problem approaching La Veta pass.