RE: Utah - Show Low Loop
Not knowing what part of the Mongollin plateau you have been to, this might be overkill. Coming into Az on 89 I would make my way over to Kayenta and spend the night sround Gouldings. Then southeast to Chinle for Canyon De Chelly. Come on down Az 191 to Springerville and then westbound on Az 260, as far as you can. I can't say that there is any one thing you shouldn't miss, but the cool mountain air and the wildlife and shortage of people are all ++++'s. If you took US 60 east from Springerville you would see the 'very large array'. Fort Apache, is a little south of Hon Dah on Az 73.
RE: New Mexico to San Diego US 60 or I-25/I-10
Yes ~ at Payson you would stay on Az 260 and go over to Camp Verde. There you would have 2 choices. Either go south on I-19 for a few miles and then take the Cherry cutoff into Prescott, or keep on 260 to Clarksdale and through the 'ghost town' of Jerome and link up with 89A southbound into Prescott.If you were towing there were restrictions on length on the 89A portion. Something to check out though!!
RE: New Mexico to San Diego US 60 or I-25/I-10
Sounds like you have a fun trip planned. I suggest US 60 to Show Low and then continue on AZ 260 all the way to Payson, Az - then work your way to Prescott and south on US 89 and AZ 71 coming out at Congress, Az and US 60. It would probably add a few hours, but in a Mustang, it would be worth it.
