Judith Fain says she “lives to travel.” The Santa Fe-based author, a contributor to more than 100 publications, is passionate about travel, but it's not just any trip. In her new book, “Slow Travel New Mexico: Unforgettable Personal Experiences in a Land of Enchantment” (UNM Press, 2024), Fain and her photographer husband, Paul J. Ross, have co-written a love letter to New Mexico that doubles as an immersive travel guidebook.
“Life becomes more exciting when you take it slow,” Fain writes. “Whatever you do, wherever you go, you begin to discover new aspects of yourself and what's possible in life.”
Set off with no expectations. “Slow travel is, first and foremost, about letting go of the need to obsessively plan,” she says. Instead, think about, “What can the road trip give you? How can it inform you on its terms, rather than you deciding what to do?”
Ask questions. “Your road trip will become an adventure if you stop every time you ask, 'What's that?' and find out what it is,” Fain says. “Keep going until you get the answer.”
Connect and be open. [approach your travels] “Then any road trip will be enjoyable, whether it's an hour or five days. It doesn't matter,” she says. “It's about attitude.”
Details: New Mexico is home to 25 incredible scenic byways totaling over 2,900 miles of diverse landscapes. Depending on your interests, take a trip along one of these four scenic byways.
