Quemado-Grants-Thoreau-Farmington??? (Navajo: shop, kitchen, parking)

[jaxart]

I'll be thankful for any information on the scenic value of driving this part of the state - it's the one part of the state I've yet to experience. I am only interested in information on the specific routes:

Quemado via NM 36-17 to Grants

Thoreau via NM 371 to Farmington

I've traveled other routes E-W many times (US 60, I-40) but never the routes I'm inquiring about. Anything anyone can offer in regard to what not to miss, or what to avoid will be much appreciated.

[caydriver]

JAX, what are you interested in? To me the rock formations are beautiful. Around the grants area is a wolf rescue I believe called Candy Kitchen. In Thoreau is an arts and crafts shop run by the Navajo. To me the area is just peaceful but then again I'm an old ranch lady that has been here for 40 years.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by caydriver

JAX, what are you interested in?

Thanks for your reply.

I said in my post, the main interest is: "I'll be thankful for any information on the scenic value..."

My basic question is whether or not it's worth the effort to go out of my way to drive that route - and if the answer is yes - why is it worth it?

Also would like to know what there is along that route to be cautious of.

[GregW]

Pick up a copy of:

"Scenic Drives in New Mexico" and "Off the Beaten Path in NM". Lots of good ideas. Also the Benchmark New Mexico Road & Recreation Atlas. All are available from Amazon.

PS- ANY back road in New Mexico is worth the drive. ANY!

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by GregW

Pick up a copy of:

"Scenic Drives in New Mexico" and "Off the Beaten Path in NM".

Great suggestions. I'll check for those in my library.

Incidentally, did you know that most back-country roads, and even some streets in the smallest towns, have been photographed and can be viewed in a 360 degree panorama on GOOGLE MAPS - STREET VIEWS? You can actually "drive" down a road using either your mouse or the directional arrows ans swivel around at each stop along the way. I'm going to begin another thread to tell people who may not know about this wonderful feature. Of course you see what you would from a passing car, so there is no way to "walk off the road" onto a trail or into a parking lot to see roadside attractions.

[GregW]

Google street view even covers the really out of the way places and some of the images are worth framing. I waste far too much time viewing New Mexico.

[jaxart]

This is a test post to see if I've actually figured out how to get photos to appear within the text box of my message. It's a view from the Google Maps/Street View site of a spot on that remote highway location south of Grants.