Today began with a tour of Fort Larned National Historic Site. It was a beautiful day of sunshine and warmth (though very windy) as we walked from building to building. The buildings were not an Adobe structure like Bent’s Fort, but were traditional buildings of a military fort; sandstone blocks, wooden beams, shingled roofs. There… Continue reading Day 10 SFT, Larned KS to Lincoln NE, Home
Category: Santa Fe Trail 2022
Jo Ann and Paula, and Paula’s two sisters, Kathy and Lynn Explore the Santa Fe Trail
Day 9 SFT, La Junta CO to Larned KS
We began at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Park. It was a huge trading post not a defensive army fort. Santa Fe travelers were able to repair their wagons and replenish supplies to prepare to move on. Traders spoke seven different languages, four of them being Indian dialects. Traders included trappers, Mexicans, French, Santa Fe… Continue reading Day 9 SFT, La Junta CO to Larned KS
Day 8 SFT, Santa Fe to La Junta CO
We left Santa Fe and headed back east on the Santa Fe Trail. Taking I-25 down around the mountains again, we came to where the turnoff was for Fort Union and we drove up there, stopping for photos of the Mountain Branch ruts and swales. When we arrived at Ft. Union, the actual park was… Continue reading Day 8 SFT, Santa Fe to La Junta CO
Day 7 SFT, In and Around Santa Fe
We made it! We arrived at the end of the Santa Fe trail? It was a good day. It was windy and cool yet at the same time, sunny and nice.First thing in Santa Fe is, we went to Loretto Chapel (built 1873) which has the Miraculous Stairway, supposedly made out of one piece of… Continue reading Day 7 SFT, In and Around Santa Fe
Day 6 SFT, Liberal KS to Santa Fe NM
We spent most the day on the road stopping at sites that we found interesting. We stopped at the Cimarron National Grassland station and had a very nice visit with the ranger there. Further along there was a Cimarron Heritage Center/Museum north of Boise City, New Mexico. It had a fantastic collection of historical items. They gave… Continue reading Day 6 SFT, Liberal KS to Santa Fe NM
Day 5 SFT, Council Grove to Liberal KS
Order of business today: Brother Steve (my cousin)’s birthday. We ran through some practice sign language “Happy birthday to you” and then recorded it. Paula sent the video to Steve! He texted later, “It made me smile.” Continuing west on Hwy 56, we found several historic markers and added to our knowledge of living and… Continue reading Day 5 SFT, Council Grove to Liberal KS
Day 4 SFT, Council Grove, Kansas
Lynn: The day started with the sun shining bright and a crisp breeze on my face. We were meeting up with our tour guide Kay for a day filled with historical fun!!! Here’s our list of the 30 places we visited today!!! No, just kidding…lol…here’s just a the few. Our first stop was “Council Oak”.… Continue reading Day 4 SFT, Council Grove, Kansas
Day 3 SFT, Lexington MO-Council Grove KS
We headed out of Lexington Missouri today and went first first we went to see the Missouri Madonna of the Trail. We then went to the National Frontier Trails Museum which covered the numerous trails that went through that city including the Oregon Trail, the California Trail ,the Santa Fe Trail, the Mormon Trail, and… Continue reading Day 3 SFT, Lexington MO-Council Grove KS
Day 2 SFT, Beginning of Trail to Arrow Rock, MO
Drove 302 miles today. We drove from Vandalia to the beginning of the trail where we located the first DAR marker in the middle of Main Street in Franklin, MO. We took photos and were hoping to find a local restaurant. Spying a young man carrying food, we asked for a good place to eat,… Continue reading Day 2 SFT, Beginning of Trail to Arrow Rock, MO
Day 1 SFT, Kenosha to Vandalia, IL
Drove 347 miles today. Went to Jo Ann’s grandparents home town of Paw Paw IL. Checked out the Wyoming Cemetery, did not find ancestors, tho there are some there someone. Then we got serious about heading south. Had lunch at Cindy’s on 34 in Mendota, homestyle standard fare, very tasty. Then we saw this TALL… Continue reading Day 1 SFT, Kenosha to Vandalia, IL