Hi there,

Thanks for all the information!

TRRed - I am betting that I will miss the fall colors by a few weeks. I am glad to hear that parts of the RMNP should still be accessable as long as it is not snowing when I visit. I have a V6 Mustang reserved and ready to abuse.

Clarence5ybr - Even if I am in Santa Fe, I don't mind driving back down to ABQ. As far as cuisine, I am open to anything...and am really interested to try New Mexican cuisine.

Deubster - One of the first things I did is reserve a room in ABQ. One of the main reasons I am flying to Denver and driving is because the airfare was 4x cheaper...I am sure due to the fiesta. Those look like excellent restaurant recommendations.

I've been agonizing over day 7 a little. I plan on photographing the dunes through sunrise and then leaving. The hotel has no services (no food) that time of year...so I have a little drive to get breakfast. That should put me in COS around 1 if I take your scenic route. I am most interested in visiting Garden of the Gods and photographing Pikes Peak from that vantage point.

Thanks for all the great pointers...post more if you think of anything!