Southern Colorado to Northwest Louisiana: Following the Santa Fe Trail

Santa Fe National Historic Trail - Near the Dodge City Ruts 

Part One of our Southeast Road Trip Adventure!

The clock struck the pumpkin hour on Friday, July 26, 2019, our cue to hit the road once again. This time we were heading east out of Florence, Colorado following the Santa Fe National Historic Trail into and across part of Kansas, then dropping south through Oklahoma and east across Texas to our first destination - Natchitoches, Louisiana. 

Good Morning Sunshine....Lakin, Kansas

At sunrise we stopped at Beymer Park in Lakin, our very first park in Kansas! There were pond areas with shaded picnic spots and so many birds! What a beautiful little park, and what an incredible sunrise! 

Beymer Park in Lakin, Kansas

Our next stop was at the A. Harold Long Park in Garden City. This lovely community park was busy with morning walkers and had a nice playground and gazebo for picnics.

A. Harold Long Park in Garden City, Kansas

Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, the Santa Fe Trail was a transportation route that ran from Franklin, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Just outside of Dodge City we stopped at the Dodge City Ruts, a National Historic Landmark and a noteworthy site on the Sante Fe National Historic Trail.

Overlooking Soule's Ditch on the Santa Fe Trail near Dodge City

Having just visited Santa Fe, it was pretty incredible to visit the Dodge City Ruts site and other sites on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Imagine traveling all the way from Missouri in a wagon! While in the greater Dodge City area, we also visited the Fort Dodge army post. Originally an old campground for wagons traveling along the Santa Fe Trail, the Fort was established on April 10, 1865 by Captain Henry Pierce, by order of Major General Grenville M. Dodge.  

Wagon at the old Fort Dodge army post.

We made a stop at Coronado Cross Park, which is also on the Santa Fe Trail and located just outside of Dodge City and Fort Dodge. This is where Spanish explorer Francisco Vasques de Coronado is said to have crossed the Arkansas River in search of the fabled Cities of Gold in 1541.

Coronado Cross Park on the Santa Fe Trail

Of course, we made sure to visit the historic downtown district of Dodge City, which is where we met the sculpture of El Capitan, the Longhorn Steer that gave Dodge City its place as "The Queen of Cow Towns." 

El Capitan welcomes all to Downtown Dodge City

After that, it was time to “Get Outta Dodge” and follow the backroads through Oklahoma and Texas and eventually make it to our main destination of Natchitoches, the oldest settlement in Louisiana! It was a beautiful and super long drive, and I was glad to get cozy in our home for the next 6 days, the Best Western Natchitoches.

Home Sweet Home at Best Western Natchitoches Inn 

Next week I’ll fill in you in on all the fun we had in Natchitoches - we’re talking river boat rides, a film trail, Kisatchi National Forest, Folk Festival, historic walking tours, the Cane River National Heritage Area, amazing food, and so much more!

Have a fun weekend!

Miss P.

P. S. Did you see that the new issue of Parks & Travel Magazine is out? You Can read it on NationalParkTraveling.com