The rock spires near Needles California are beautiful, and one can even shut down there, I am told by a friend ;-)
http://www.drelocation.com/Californi...no/needles.htm
Lake Powell is simply beautiful, with alternating white and red bands on the sedimentary stone cliffs.
http://www.imagecounts.com/Gallery/lake%20powell.htm
Monument Valley Utah is where all the John Ford western movies were shot. A friend had lunch on that valley floor once.
http://doors.stanford.edu/~sr/southwest/
Mesa Verde National Park looks great from the air and Durango Colorado is a beautiful RON
New Orleans Lakefront airport is a nice stop over to allow a few days in the Big Easy
I have flown that route about 20 times, but I still envy you!
Good luck