In the 1800s, a wagon would have taken 8-10 weeks to travel between Independence, MO and Santa Fe, NM along the Santa Fe Trail. Thankfully, we were able to drive it in four days and see/do lots of fun things along the way!
Altogether, we spent 11 days on this trip - two in Chicago, two visiting my parents, and seven on the road between Illinois and California.
 |
| 3117 miles |
As for progress on our national park bucket list, we checked off 10 new-to-us units (R's lifetime count is actually 6 behind mine).
181. New Philadelphia NHS
182. Fort Scott NHS
183. Tallgrass Prairie NPRES
184. Fort Larned NHS
185. Nicodemus NHS
186. Sand Creek Massacre NHS
187. Amache NHS
188. Bent's Old Fort NHS
189. Capulin Volcano NM
190. Fort Union NM
Favorite new unit visited?
R / Me: Tallgrass Prairie (bison!) with Capulin Volcano a close second
Favorite fort?
R: Fort Larned (great interactions with the the ranger and volunteers) and Fort Union (seeing Santa Fe trail ruts was cool)
Me: Fort Larned - the exhibits in the visitor center were really well done
Most historically significant/important?
Me: Sand Creek Massacre and Amache because they both interpret historical events which illustrate how prejudice, hatred, and fear were stoked by false narratives by those in power to demonize others. This, sadly, led to the unjust treatment of certain groups of people by the government of the United States.
R: Ditto on Sand Creek Massacre and Amache, plus Nicodemus
Favorite roadside attraction?
Me: Standing on a Corner in Winslow, AZ
R: Geographical center of the US in Lebanon, KS, and just because it's so weird, Wheat Jesus in Colby, KS
Best thing we ate?
R: Brisket from Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que and birria ramen from Nydia's Mexican Kitchen in Twentynine Palms
Me: Navajo taco from Painted Desert Diner and tacos/Agua de Jamaica from Nydia's Mexican Kitchen
Place(s) to visit again?
R: Tallgrass Prairie
Me: Fort Scott (to see inside the buildings) and Santa Fe/Albuquerque
No comments:
Post a Comment