Mile 8658

This morning I wake pop to a chilly 44F at the foot of the Monarch Pass.  It takes a little while for the sun to rise above the San Isabel National Forest and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, but finally she makes her way.  I will follow this morning another important river in US history as well for some other reasons.  The canyons I travel along may not have the names and reputation as those along the Colorado Rver, but are nonetheless equally impressive.  It is the Arkansas River, once the border between the US and Mexico.  From Salida, CO I follow the river all the way to the Royal Gorge, to visit America's highest suspension bridge hanging 956 feet above the Arkansas River.  Many attractions were killed in the 2013 fire which ran up the gorge and destroyed some of the buildings, but did no harm to the bridge.  Built in 1929 for the sole purpose of tourism it is an engineering marble and any similarity with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA is due to then believed design by Joseph Strauss for large bridges which was applied by George E. Cole for this bridge.  From here I still follow this river to the East passing Pueblo, CO and continuing on the "Loneliest Road in America" to La Junta, CO with a little side tour to Bent's Old Fort.  This Fort was the last station at the west end of the Santa Fe trail, right at the border to Mexico, the last outpost of civilization.  It sole purpose was trade, as William and Charles Bent were fur traders.  Built in 1833 and run till 1848 when war with Mexico interrupted all trade and the increasing unrest amongst the Arapahoe, Apache, and Cheyenne people put an end to all business.  The Adobe building is beautifully restored and gives a good insight of what live was about in those times.  From here I continue on US-50 and enter the great plaines of corn, wheat, and dairy farming as I enter the state of Kansas.  I still continue following the Arkansas River, which in places is not anymore as impressive as it was this morning, and follow now not only a river, but also to a great deal the Santa Fe Trail which extended to Bent's Fort, KS but officially ended in Dodge City, KS and started in Franklin, MO.  As the sun is setting already in my rearview mirror, I call it the day in Dodge City, KS.  Dodge City has long lost its reputation of the outlaw frontier town, which lasted till about 1872.  And when cattle drives were banned in 1884, Dodge City very much vanished from the minds of the people.  Marshals like Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp only lived on in the stories told, and for tourists staged gunfights and medicine shows are held daily, and Miss Kitty and her Can-Can Girls perform every evening at the reconstructed Front Street.  I'm a little late for that, and may have to come back another time, or perhaps not.

Without much words, some impressions of the day.  Arkansas River and Royal Gorge:

Bent's Fort:

George Bent and his wife, Cheyenne woman Magpie

"A Nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground.  Then it is finished, no matter how brave its warriors or how strong its weapons."  -  Cheyenne Proverb 

PS.: Sorry sister, but I canceled my detour South as hurricane Ian is not cooperating with me.  I will stay North in hopes to avoid the storm and rain Ian is bringing inland.  Wish you to stay safe.