This is a personal account of portions of my road trips around the SouthWest U.S. I'm not much for taking pictures on trips, I just never quite get around to it (if I even bring an operating camera).
I generally skip the obvious tourista places, let's be real, they're done to death, unless I can squeeze some amusement from them. And there are some places I won't document, because they shouldn't be overrun or trampled (not that I'm really expecting anyone to try and duplicate my trips). I increasingly tend to visit Cold War I related sites.
I frequently pick places to go by odd map characteristics. The Eastern Mojave desert I "discovered" (sic) by looking for the largest blank area on the California map. Then I went there. I do occasionally listen to advice and suggestions (hint, hint).