10-day Road trip suggestions from Austin, Texas

[Indica]

We've reserved a minivan and wanted to get away for about
10 days in the last part of December with our 7 and 9 years olds. Last December we drove to Tucson and visited McDonald Observatory, Carlsbad Cavern and White Sand on our way out. Then we went to Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest NP, Alberqueque on our way back. It was a wonderful 10-day trip
and we wanted to do a similar trip this year. But we don't
have much idea on where to go this time. The I-10 drive due west out of Texas is an all day and boring drive. The drive
due east to New Orlean doesn't seem to be very interesting.
We woundn't mind going back to New Mexico again if there are
enough good places to visit in the winter.
Any suggestion on where to go? If we drive east, what would be a good route with nice places to visit?
Thank you in advance for any information.

You can find some real nice Christmas-related celebrations in northern New Mexico -- Santa Fe would be a good place to start. There are other attractions in that general direction as well. Check out visiting Durango and Mesa Verde Natl Park. You might be able to find some winter time fun in other parts of southern Colorado as well (I'm thinking cowboy Christmas-type of stuff at guest ranches, etc.) If you're interested, try www.waunetasprings.com or run a search on Colorado dude ranches. Just a couple of ideas.