Over the next week I will be sharing posts about my summer adventures with our recently adopted dog Juniper. How about a little sneak peak at my month on the road?
Our trip began with two weeks of house and pet-sitting in Texas. The gig – while enjoyable – kept me busier than expected, and after a couple of weeks I was ready to hit the road to New Mexico, where we…
Camped at Conchas Lake State Park…
Spent a long day of driving the scenic route between Conchas Lake and Angel Fire, then looped the Enchanted Circle. En route we stopped off for a hike at Coyote Creek State Park…
Then splurged on a hotel (though not the Hotel La Fonda) because of rain, rain, rain. We spent my birthday in Taos…
Camped and hiked in Orilla Verde Recreation Area, the dog-friendly section of Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument…
Drove the high road between Taos and Espanola…
Where we turned west, and camped at Bandelier National Monument…
Then continued our lovely drive west on Hwy 4, climbing higher into the mountains. We stopped for a walk through a wildflower meadow at Valle Caldera National Preserve…
And spent the rest of the afternoon driving the Jemez Mountains before heading west toward Arizona.
I took a lot of pictures of old Route 66 signs and establishments between Amarillo and Flagstaff (The Sands Motel is in Grants)…
We spent an afternoon touring dog-friendly Petrified Forest National Park…
And walked charming downtown Flagstaff…
Before driving through Coconino National Forest to see Sedona’s Red Rocks…
Then turned East, where (back in New Mexico) we camped and hiked and studied petroglyphs at El Morro National Monument…
And spent a day walking, eating, and drinking local beer in Santa Fe…
Before making the 20+ hour drive home to Tennessee. Whew! I’m a little tired just thinking about all of that driving. And yet, with the buzz from my trip not yet worn worn off, we are making another trip to northern New Mexico in September. And this time Robert will be along as well. Yay!
Wondering where else we’ve wandered? Check out our Parks List.
Westward We Wander 
Can’t wait to see your pictures and read about the adventures! Great preview!
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I am excited to share them! Juni was a fun and awfully photogenic travel companion, but I’ll try not to post an obnoxious number of dog pictures 😉
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I loves me an obnoxious number of dog pix. Just saying, if we are being honest here lol. But I’m sure others will have their own opinions. These pix were awesome.
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Hahahaha! Well in that case, Val, I will throw in a few more dog pics than I had originally planned. 🙂
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Love Mew Mexico! Awesome post- Looks like you had a wonderful time!! Great pics, too!
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Thank you! We did have a wonderful time 🙂
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Beautiful pictures. I’ve been to some of those places, so I have an idea of how much you enjoyed it. So jealous you’re returning in the fall!!
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Thanks! 🙂 I’m super excited to be hitting the road to NM again, though I kind of wish we were going a little later in the season to see the aspens and cottonwoods in their golden glory, and maybe some snow capped peaks. My husband picked the earliest week in the year he could get a full week off. Being back in an office full time is making him a little stir crazy!
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Welcome to Arizona! I hope you enjoyed it!
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Thanks! Loved my all-too-brief travels in AZ last month and last November! My Arizona travel wish list grows by the week 🙂
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You will have to explore arizona more, there is so much to see it is my home base and where i was born and raised! You have no idea what your missing here! Come back soon!
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Thanks for the warm welcome! I may end up landing in New Mexico, and if so AZ trips will be frequent!
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Heck yeah! Hit the Chiricahuas it would probly be the closest thing to you, or maybe hannigan meadows!
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Chiricahua National Monument is high on my travel wish list. Hannigan Meadows looks pretty – thanks for the suggestion!
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You got it! Happy travels!
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