2013 October 29

Yesterday we started our trip to the southwest. Planning to see many of the national parks on our scenic  route to Chino Valley, Arizona. Plan to spend some time with friends in Arizona before finding a new route to return home around the middle of November.

This morning we were in Dodge City, Kansas where we spent our first night on the road. We toured a museum that included some original buildings, Boot Hill Cemetery, a saloon, store fronts, and many items from historical Dodge City.

On the way "out of Dodge" we stopped at a place where we were to see wagon wheel ruts from the many wagon trains that traveled the Sante Fe Trail. The trail wasn't that obvious to us.... but the information at the site was interesting. Apparently, this area was on the border between the US and Mexico. The 100th meridian.

Then we drove through the rest of western Kansas and into Colorado. In Kansas we saw many sorghum fields, a few sunflower fields, a farm that raised game birds (pheasants, etc.), and many large cattle feeding stations (ranches). Not many trees along the way.... lots of open land. Into Colorado there were some changes in scenery. At first, more trees, then different types of shrubbery, then finally, mountains. We thoroughly enjoyed the views and are looking forward to the rest of our trip.

We are spending our second night in Alamosa, Colorado. We are only 35 miles from our first national park. First thing on tomorrow's agenda is Great Sand Dunes National Park!

Having trouble uploading pictures...... will try to figure out what the problem is..... wish I was more techy!!