Santa Fe, New Mexico was the hub of great roads that moved people and trade goods in all directions. In the year 2010, four of these trails: El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the Santa Fe Trail, Old Spanish Trail and Route 66, will be celebrated with three days of activities and tours. Trail buffs and people who are new to these trails will meet to share the excitement and romance of Santa Fe’s trail history. Plan to learn more about other trails, visit trail sites and meet people at Caminos a Santa Fe: A Trail Gathering in 2010.
Caminos a Santa Fe: A Trail Gathering will bring together people who are interested in the settling of the American West, and the diversity of peoples who are part of the history. Interactive programs will be offered on Thursday, August 5, and Friday, August 6, along with the option of afternoon tours. Saturday, August 7, will be devoted to more comprehensive tours with relevent discussion.
Los Golondrinas
Topics being considered include:
Murder, Mayhem and Misfortune: Although lawlessness was rampant on the frontier, even Route 66 saw its trouble and turmoil. Learn about the seamier side of trail travel;
The Rise and Fall of Trail Towns: Settlements became towns, towns became cities and most became ghost towns when railroads and interstate highways replaced trails. Some towns became tourist attractions and remain vibrant communities;
Women Who Tamed the West: Strong women supported the men who forged the western trails. Who were these women?
Eating Up the Trails: Some food and drinks that were staples on the trails would gag a horse today, but some are popular in the most elegant restaurants;
The Travelers Meet the Indians: What a surprise these outsiders must have been to the people who had lived here for generations! How did they
interact?
Preserving and Protecting these cultural resources and sites will be discussed by
Gathering participants. These topics and more have been proposed for the Gathering.
church at Ojo Caliente
In addition, tours will be offered to El Rancho de las Golondrinas where the 18th and 19th centuries are recreated at Summer Festival; La Bajada Hill, the spectacular road that was forged in the Camino Real period and became an exciting section of Route 66; Colonial Santa Fe and Trail Monuments, where the 1766-68 Urrutia map can still be matched with modern Santa Fe! Visit the wide variety of trail monuments throughout the city. Tours to Abiquiu, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, Ghost Ranch, Taos, Glorieta and Pecos will highlight their trail sites. Other tours may be offered and hands-on children’s activities are planned.
