on>
IMBRIFEX BOOKS
Published by Flattop Productions, Inc.
8275 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 200
Las Vegas, NV 89123, USA
Copyright © 2018 by Richard Quinn. All Rights Reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the express written permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. For further information, please contact the publisher, Imbrifex Books, 8275 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89123, USA
Editor: Nancy Zerbey
Book and Cover Designer: Sue Campbell
Maps: Chris Erichsen
All cover and interior photos by Rick Quinn.
All photos from the tribal parks are used by permission, pursuant to permits secured by the author.
Author Photo: Jill Quinn
IMBRIFEX® and ROADTRIP AMERICA® are registered trademarks of Flattop Productions, Inc.
This publication is provided for informational and educational purposes. The information contained in the publication is true to the best of our knowledge however no representations or warranties are made with respect to its accuracy or safety, and the publisher and author assume no liability for its use. Understand that driving and outdoor activities are always potentially dangerous. Preparing yourself and your vehicle with the proper equipment and skills will lead to the most enjoyable and safest experience. Know your vehicle and how to drive and maintain it. Be aware of local road, weather, and terrain conditions. Obey all posted rules and regulations. Respect Native American jurisdictions, use public lands thoughtfully, and do not trespass on private lands. Things can change after a guidebook is published: roads undergo construction, attractions and businesses close, jurisdictions change, etc. All these things can affect the road trip routes described in this book. Check locally whenever you can. Seasonal weather will have an effect on roads and routes described in this publication. Corrections, updates and suggestions may be sent to the author at [email protected].
ISBN 9781945501050 (trade paper)
ISBN 9781945501111 (e-book)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017934281
First Edition: April, 2018
For Quinn and Ollie, and all our children’s children
Foreword
Road trips through the American West are among my absolute favorite adventures. The western states, and particularly Arizona and New Mexico, have some of the most dramatic open space in the country. The wild history, the spectacular geography, and the mythical ethos of this region just make you want to gas up the car and go. What a pleasure, then, to discover a book that not only captures the magic and mystique of the terrain, but also reveals how to best enjoy it. Rick Quinn’s infectious love of the open road and joy in driving make him an ideal narrator and travel companion.
In this day and age, when many people wonder if books still have a chance against the Internet, Quinn has delivered definitive proof that a good travel book deserves a place in the navigator’s seat. The information presented here is compelling, multilayered, easy to navigate, and chock full of tips and details that will allow you to enjoy Arizona and New Mexico to their fullest. Quinn’s research is meticulous, the maps are beautifully drawn, and Quinn’s photography is simply wonderful. Paging through the book really makes you want to hit the road. Whether you have days to explore or only a few hours, these scenic routes will add unforgettable adventure to your Interstate journeys.
As a life-long avid road tripper, and the author of several travel books, I thought I knew everything about Tombstone, White Sands, the Indian Pueblos, and Sedona, not to mention many other sites in these areas. But Quinn has dug deep to uncover some wonderful and little-known stories that add color, depth, and intrigue to these destinations. And his descriptions of the roads linking these fascinating places take the book to new and impressive levels, capturing the energy and serendipity of a real road trip, with its many views and stops along the way. Reading Quinn’s book is like having a smart and funny guide sitting in the seat next to you, always ready to share the best directions, practical information, and local lore.
Sunbaked, vast, and mysterious, Arizona and New Mexico are the wonderlands of the American West. Now, even with limited time and even if you’ve driven through this territory before, you can enjoy these places in new and interesting ways. With this book riding shotgun, you’ll bring home many back-road memories and two-lane experiences that you might otherwise have driven right by.
I salute the spirit and accomplishment that Quinn has achieved in this fine book.
—Chris Epting
Chris Epting is an award-winning travel writer and author of 30 books including James Dean Died Here (Santa Monica Press) and Roadside Baseball (McGraw Hill).
Introduction
Road travel in the American southwest is a part of everyday life. Family gatherings, a new job or home, kids off to college, and hundreds of other reasons draw travelers to the Interstate Highway system to make a fast run across Arizona and New Mexico. This book was conceived as a way of introducing those destination-focused and time-pressed travelers to some of the incredible vistas, attractions, and natural wonders that the Interstates were designed to avoid. My goal was to identify 25 alternative routes—scenic detours that begin and end at Interstates—that can turn a boring speed run into a memorable road trip without adding very much time. They also make great day trips from the region’s major cities.
I began my research by locking myself in a room full of maps and didn’t come out until I had pinpointed every natural wonder, every site with historical or cultural significance, and every scenic stretch of highway in Arizona and New Mexico. Then I loaded up La Reina Sucia, “The Dirty Queen,” my beloved and well-traveled Jeep Cherokee, and I hit the road. Over the course of the summer and fall of 2016, I drove 11,000 miles through Arizona and New Mexico, plus a bit of Texas and Utah, visiting all the places I’ve always loved, and a whole lot of places I’d always wanted to see. I took 7,000 photographs and compiled copious notes. The drives, the views, and the skies were magnificent; I saw more beauty and experienced more joy than I would have thought possible.
This book is the result of
