Western Adventures - Exotic Destinations

Our Exciting Western Adventures Travels included wild, exotic destinations in:

• New Mexico... "Land of Enchantment"!

  

  Albuquerque...In the historic Plaza of Old Town, we found the nearly 300-year old San Felipe de Neri Church. While in Old Town, we sampled the treasure trove of Indian and Spanish arts and crafts. The aroma of authentic Southwest cuisine filling the air was simply irresistable.

  We enjoyed a bird's-eye view of the Sandia Mountains while riding the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. This is the world's longest tramway; it rises 2.7 miles above the city, giving an 11,000-square-mile panoramic view of the state.

  We intend to return to Albuquerque in October to witness the spectacular Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, when hundreds of multi-colored hot-air balloons fill the sky in one of the most photographed events in the world.

  

  After enjoying a pleasant night's rest, we drove the short distance north to Sante Fe, visiting the "side-walk" market where we examined and bought authentic Navajo turquoise and silver jewelry.

• Arizona's Grand Canyon and other Natural Wonders!

  

  On our way to one of the most visited vacation destinations in North America, we stayed at a rustic motel on historic Route 66, now U.S.40.

  This motel has large replicas of American Indian teepees in front and authetic teepees in the back, which can be reserved for the evening.

  I remember waking up the first morning we were there, looking out our room's back window and seeing smoke curling up from the camp-fires where people were cooking breakfast... bacon, eggs, and coffee!

  We enjoyed this quaint lodge so much that we have returned several times in our travels.

  After breakfast in the lodge, we drove into historic downtown Williams, named for a famous trapper and "mountain man", Bill Williams. One of the excitements is the "cowboy shoot-out", down by the Grand Canyon Railway station. Williams is the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon", just a few miles to the north.

  We decided to drive the short distance to the southern entrance of the Grand Canyon for a day excursion. The fantastic views and exuberant feelings, when seeing this awesome sight for the first time, are just indescribeable - making a person want to return again and again!

  High Desert Western Adventures!

  Just a short distance south of Williams is Mystical Sedona!

  

  Cathedral Rock

  

  Oak Creek Canyon

• Nevada...Las Vegas, the Brightest City on Earth, and

• Exotic California...from San Diego to Yosemite.

• Jerome, AZ..."America's Most Vertical City" and "Largest Ghost Town in America".