New Mexico Observing Location

I used to frequent this newsgroup a lot, then I got caught up in other
activies and haven't had my scope out in a couple of years.

Now I'm about to take my first ever trip to New Mexico, and as luck would
have it, will be arriving on March 20th under the new moon (I guess this
guarantees it will be cloudy).

I will be in Albuquerque and then Santa Fe for a few days. My meetings
begin on the 21st, so I have a chance to drive out of the city on the 20th,
and again on the 25th. I was wondering if anyone had a recommended
observing location. I suspect I'll only be able to pack some binoculars -
maybe I'll wedge my 10x70's into the suitcase.

I noticed that The Albuquerque Astronomical Society was holding a Messier
Marathon on the 20th, some miles south of Albuquerque. I wrote to the email
address shown on their web page but did not receive a response. That event
sounded pretty interesting.

If I can't crash that fine party, then should I just try to drive up out of
the city to find some dark skies? I'm a little wary of doing that by myself
in a place I've never been before.

Alan