Growing up in Albuquerque, I counted the drive up the “back way” to Santa Fe as one of my favorite weekend family adventures. My parents would drive along a lonesome two-lane road that winded its way ...

Blazing down Interstate 25, it takes exactly an hour to get from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. There’s nothing special about the trip beyond its brevity and proximity to gas stations and fast-food joints.

Sure, theres a faster way to travel between two of New Mexicos most prominent cities. You can use Interstate 25 and get there in an hour. Or you can take the road less traveled the so-called Turquoise ...