Headed towards New Mexico on March 3

[[email protected]]

I am leaving Texas seeking a bit of adventure. 60-year-old man, in a converted Chevrolet Suburban. I have been planning this since 2016 and I am finally free from leases and obligations! I have an income of about $1600 a month and no savings (divorce took it all).

Where should I go first?

 

[Wabbit]

Hiya Ace and welcome. Best of luck to you and as where to head first, no idea, but I love the west!

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums ardvark! I recommend visiting any national park. Check the weather first because a lot of them are still snow covered. Enjoy your trip!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[MrNoodly]

What part of Texas and where do you think you'll be entering NM?

 

[user 423]

Where should I go first?

Are you just doing a road trip for a while or will you be looking for long-term places to stay?

And welcome to the forum!

 

[user 13531]

Welcome to the forums!

 

[Riverman]

Welcome

 

[[email protected]]

What part of Texas and where do you think you'll be entering NM?

I am on the Red River north of Dallas. I will probably be entering NM on I-40.

 I think that I will start with an annual New Mexico state park pass. I will have some financial assets when I arrive (limited, of course) I think that best strategy is to see how it is done before I invest too much money in equipment? I have blacked windows and a cot in the back of the Suburban but I have not invested in much else. WalMart is everywhere!

 

[[email protected]]

Are you just doing a road trip for a while or will you be looking for long-term places to stay?

And welcome to the forum!

I have committed to at least 6 months. At the end of 6 months, I will make some sort of decision.

 

[user 423]

If you went down to the south of NM you could see Guadalupe Mtns NP, Carlsbad Caverns,Silver City,etc. Several state parks down there.

I can't seem to find it but MrNoodly did a review of many of the NM state parks. I've stayed at just a couple near TorC,Roswell and Clayton.

 

[No Roots]

Hey, maybe we can get together I'll be on my way in March also. I'll be coming via east coast.  And if Quartzsite is gonna be cooking, per Slow2Stay, maybe I'll forgo that idea. Bob says New Mexico is good. I'm new at this full timing.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Keep your plans flexible...and watch the weather.

During March in New Mexico and along I-40, mother nature can still produce snowstorms...especially around Clines Corners, Moriarty, thru Tijeras Canyon, and around the Continental Divide.

Pick a route and time based on good weather...the last thing you want is to be stuck on I-40 during a blizzard...I can tell you it is no fun to be shutdown in a rest area for 3 days due to road closures. Carry plenty of food and/or snacks.

Before you head out, check this website:

www.nmroads.com

BTW there are no Wal-Marts after you leave Amarillo, heading west, until you get to Edgewood NM. There is a small K-Mart in Tucumcari, and other grocery stores and small stores like Dollar General in Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. There are several truck stops along the route where you can park overnight if you need to.

Be sure to stop at Russell's Travel Center at Endee NM, just past the TX/NM line, at exit 369....they have a really cool, and free, classic car museum. Worth a stop!

 

[MrNoodly]

Keep your plans flexible...and watch the weather.

During March in New Mexico and along I-40, mother nature can still produce snowstorms...

Yeah, even if there's no snow it can still be cold. Santa Fe is at about 7,000 feet, Albuquerque a little over 5,000 feet. Even Las Cruces is at 3,900 feet.

 

[user 423]

If you take I-20 there would be plenty of WMs I'd think. When I left NM a month ago for Corpus Cristi, I went thru Carlsbad,Hobbs,Big Spring. All have WMs. Unless you have a reason to head to northern NM instead,the southern area might work better for you.

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks! I am a total car nut so I will check out the museum. Dollar stores make a decent backup when WalMart is not available. 

Keep your plans flexible...and watch the weather.

During March in New Mexico and along I-40, mother nature can still produce snowstorms...especially around Clines Corners, Moriarty, thru Tijeras Canyon, and around the Continental Divide.

Pick a route and time based on good weather...the last thing you want is to be stuck on I-40 during a blizzard...I can tell you it is no fun to be shutdown in a rest area for 3 days due to road closures. Carry plenty of food and/or snacks.

Before you head out, check this website:

www.nmroads.com

BTW there are no Wal-Marts after you leave Amarillo, heading west, until you get to Edgewood NM. There is a small K-Mart in Tucumcari, and other grocery stores and small stores like Dollar General in Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. There are several truck stops along the route where you can park overnight if you need to.

Be sure to stop at Russell's Travel Center at Endee NM, just past the TX/NM line, at exit 369....they have a really cool, and free, classic car museum. Worth a stop!

 

[[email protected]]

Hey, maybe we can get together I'll be on my way in March also. I'll be coming via east coast.  And if Quartzsite is gonna be cooking, per Slow2Stay, maybe I'll forgo that idea. Bob says New Mexico is good. I'm new at this full timing.

I will stay in touch. Looks like the weather could alter my plans. I do not currently own snow chains so mountains and snow would be a problem.

 

[grimmal]

My wife and I bought a New Mexico Park pass last year. I think it was 225.00. We started at Ute lake off of I-40 and worked our way south towards Carlsbad. After that we went over to I-25 and up and down that way. Right now we are in the Deming area. We really have had a great time and every park was really nice and all the rangers and workampers were great. Probably are going to do it again.  If you don't need electric  ( 4.00 a day) then you can really have some great spots .

 

[lenny flank]

Places I liked in New Mexico:

Very Large Array radio telescope

Carlsbad Caverns

Roswell Flying Saucer Museum (hokey but fun)

Trinity Nuclear Test Site (only open two days a year)

White Sands

Albuquerque has some nice stuff: the zoo, the Balloon Museum, the Petroglyph Monument, the nuclear History Museum....

 

[Headache]

If the info on a travel trailer pans out I may be in Las Cruces on Sun or Mon.  I'd love to see Mr. Noodly's thread on NM! It gets cold at night there still!

 

[tx2sturgis]

Albuquerque has some nice stuff: the zoo, the Balloon Museum, the Petroglyph Monument, the nuclear History Museum....

Lots of great stuff to do...but this time of year its still a bit coolish at night for van or car dwellers....and of course doing all the 'touristy' things means staying a few nights. Of course motel rooms are always an option if it's gonna be fairly cold at night. 

The Sandia Peak Tramway is fun, the 'Route 66 Musical Road', hanging out on Central Ave on warm weekend nights is a hoot, casinos, racetracks, Balloon Fiesta in October (you can volunteer as a ground crew helper if you are willing to be active for a few days)...and one of my favorites, Old Town....hey I'm an old guy so it works for me...just strolling around checking out the sights and sounds, vendors, and food!