We are on our way home, but that doesn’t mean no more exploring. This morning we took the Santa Fe Trail (aka I-25) NW out of Santa Fe. As we raced along, I couldn’t help but imagine the shock of a time traveler landing here from the 19th c.
The wind was bitter cold, but we made a couple stops at historic sites. The first was Pecos National Historical Park. Native Americans lived here for 12,000 years. At its peak in the 15th c the community had more than 2000 residents. Sadly, the last 17 residents moved in with relatives in Jemez (where we were yesterday) in 1838.
The ruins were interesting for their extent, but not as cool to explore as the cliff dwellings we encountered yesterday in Bandelier National Monument.
This church was built in the 18th c, the third on the site. Foundations remain of the others.
I couldn't help but say a prayer for the descendants of the residents who were so wronged by those of us who called ourselves followers of Christ.
I love shooting through openings. The door to the south transept of the church was too much to pass up.
This kiva (an underground Native place for religious ceremonies) is a stone's throw from the church. I assume they weren't active at the same time, but archeology transcends time.
Our second stop, an hour or so down the road was Fort Union, built in the 1850s to protect the Santa Fe Trail. The national park staff were very knowledgable and chatty. They are eager to present all sides of the story and reminded us that the soldiers were protecting the immigrants from the local people who had lived there for millennia. The high flagpole could be seen a couple days out by travelers and must have given them hope that their journey would soon be at an end. But of course, that highly visible flag did not mean the same thing to the Native Americans living in the area. The parks department is currently preparing new displays where the local tribal groups can tell their own stories of the fort.
The hospital is the best preserved building.
The depot received goods to be distributed to forts all over the region--sort of a Walmart distribution warehouse.
The parade ground was in the center of the garrison--under completely separate command from the depot.
The Santa Fe Trail passed between the depot and the garrison. These clear ruts are from a spot a couple miles from the fort.
We pulled off for gas (hard to find in this part of the world) at Wagon Mound. According to the sign, it was the last major landmark on the trail west.
Lunch at another local cafe, this one in Springer, NM, just off the Trail. The town is small and we drove through the first time without seeing any sign of a cafe. Tried a different street and found a great little place with "New Mexican" food and burgers.
At Springer we turned east on US56, paralleling the more dangerous southern Cimarron route of the trail. Most of the rest of the day looked pretty much like this.
Can you imagine crossing that in a wagon?
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