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2011 Bush Gardens, Florida
The animals there are wonderful. The rides are a blast too. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Palo Duro Canyon, Texas Second in size to the Grand Canyon, the Lone Star State's park is a great place to hike or ride horses along cactus and mesquite lined trails. While there you may catch a glimpse of the state's Longhorn Cattle Herd that roam on the prairie. We visited during the springtime when the purple sage was in full bloom. We also took the long hike to see the Lighthouse, the park's most famous formation.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Quebradas National Back Country Byway, New Mexico
The Bureau Of Land Management (BLM) maintains mile after mile of open space across the country. One of the most surreal drives we have ever taken was the Quebradas Byway. Pictures do not do justice to the non-North American continent landscape you will find just off I-25 near Socorro. Warning: four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles are recommended to best enjoy the roadway. Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque, New Mexico
El Morro National Monument, El Malpais National Monument, Chain of Craters Back Country Byway, and the Continental Divide Trail, between Gallup and Grants, New Mexico
Find the two sister monuments of El Morro and El Malpais just west of Grants, New Mexico. The stunning register cliff of El Morro is breathtaking. A strenuous hike across the top of the formation leads by several ruins. Alongside the bottom of the cliff, find the names of centuries of travelers etched into the rock. El Malpais has miles of rugged trails through acres of volcanic rock along with a beautiful arch and altitude-challenging hiking trails along ridge tops. While in the area take the rugged Chain of Craters Back Country Byway. Off the Byway you can hike the Continental Divide Trail.
Red Rock State Park, Gallup, New Mexico
Heads up on the trails here, because they may not lead where you think you are going. We made our way to the base of Church Rock, a pastel dream for shutter bugs. One of the largest hot air balloon events in the US is held at the park. Navajo Nation Capital of Window Rock, Arizona
Taking the Navajo Code Talkers Highway west from Gallup, New Mexico, we crossed into Window Rock, Arizona. Besides a beautiful collection of rock formations, you will find all of the government offices for the Capital of the Navajo Nation. A memorial to the code talkers is found at the base of Window Rock. These men were part of the US military during World War II and used the Navajo language to help in military operations. The language was unknown to any of our enemies; therefore, strategic operations could be carried out in secret "code!" We also spotted two cows roaming in the parking lot of the bank. Cottonwood and Sedona, Arizona Find Tuzigoot National Monument displays a classic example of Native American ruins. Explore one of the most beautiful places in the country--Sedona! If you vehicle is not a 4 x 4, you can rent a jeep, or take a jeep tour to see the wild, wonderful area. Or there is always your feet.....
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona Monument Valley Tribal Park, Monument Valley, Arizona Navajo National Monument, Arizona Glen Canyon Dam Recreational Area, Utah/Arizona Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah Zion National Park, Utah including Kolob Canyon Pipe Spring National Monument, Arizona
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On
our second visit in 10 years, we believe this is the most beautiful caverns we
have toured. Both visits there, we took the self-guided Big Room Route. At the
time of our first visit, we watched the bats as they grandly exited the natural
entrance during the evening program at the Bat Flight Amphitheater. On our most
recent trip we took the 9.5-mile, one-way Walnut Canyon Desert Drive atop the
narrow ridge among the flowering cactus. We also walked the constant downhill
one-mile hike of the self-guided Natural Entrance Route. This is the route taken
by the original explorers to the caverns and only those is good health can to
take this hike.
On
the east, the beautiful city of Albuquerque is flanked by the Sandia Mountains.
There are four ways to the peak: via a paved road, gondola ride, strenuous hike,
or a rough gravel/dirt road. We chose the gravel/dirt road. Our
first stop was at the Sandia Man Cave, which is reached via a hike and
staircase. After taking a few hikes with the remains of snow along the trail sides,
we reached the Sandia Crest at an elevation of 10,678 feet. A restaurant and
gift shop are at the peak along with superb views. 
