The original Santa Fe Trail was a transportation route through central North America, that connected the area around Independence, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Likewise, Santa Fe was the northern terminus of El Camino Real, which came out of Mexico City. (Since El Camino Real was the name of my Spanish language textbook in high school, that phrase always catches my attention!) The highway sign shown in this photo, marks the present-day highway route, that roughly follows the trail's path through the entire length of Kansas, the southeast corner of Colorado, and northern New Mexico.
The Santa Fe Trail was pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, and served as a vital commercial route, until the introduction of railroads to Santa Fe in 1880. Historical placards along the route tell details about the scenic and historic byway, in the event you are not traveling with a smart phone, that will let you "google" the topic, to find out more details!
The original Santa Fe Trail followed parts of the Arkansas River during its progress westward. When I was on the Santa Fe Auto Tour Route along Highway 50 in Colorado, the sign on this bridge said I was crossing the Arkansas River. I was amazed at how much dryer the Arkansas River looks in Colorado versus how it looks in Arkansas where I live!
The town of Las Animas along the Santa Fe trail has an interesting history---especially in regards to the origin of its name: A famous legend says that the town and nearby Pergatoire River (Purgatory River) were named for a group of conquistadors, who died without the last rites sacrament of a priest. According to European Catholic belief of that time, their souls would go to Purgatory as a result. The original Spanish name for the town, Las Animas, means "the souls" in Spanish. Thus the surrounding area was said to be
La Ciudad de Las Animas Perdido in Purgatorio, which means "The city of lost souls in Purgatory". As the sign reads, it is also the last home of Kit Carson. For any youngsters who might be reading this, Kit Carson was a 19th century frontier legend, because exaggerated versions of his exploits were the subject of dime novels of the early 1900's, and western movies/television shows of the 1950's.
Las Animas is the county seat of Bent County, Colorado, and the site of the 1889 Bent County Courthouse.
This statue of a Calvary Soldier on the lawn is another tribute to this location's importance in the settlement of the western United States.
Today, the Santa Fe Trail is the mode of transport to move the gigantic wind turbine blades that are manufactured nearby, and can be used to supply electrical energy to folks throughout the U.S. This photo shows how the turbine blade takes up almost an entire city block, as it is being transported
The reason I happened to be in the middle of the highway when this "Extra Wide Load" came by, was that I wanted to get a photo of the historic Davies Hotel, that is located along the Santa Fe Trail.
I have friends in Arkansas with the name "DAVIES", and they too work in the hospitality industry. It made me wonder if there was a hereditary gene in the Davies family that steered those folks into that career choice!
Unfortunately, this Davies Hotel has been closed for several years, but still remains as a landmark in downtown Lamar, Colorado. But, since the Amtrak train makes two stops daily in Lamar, maybe it will once again open up to provide lodging for weary travelers arriving by train!
The Lamar Amtrak Station also serves as a Colorado Welcome Center. As such, it provides free coffee, clean restrooms, a book exchange, and free WIFI.
The Visitor Center grounds also provide the very significant display for the Madonna of the Trail memorial, shown in this photo. This is one of twelve identical monuments dedicated to the spirit of pioneer women, commissioned by the National Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1928-29, one was placed in each of the 12 states along the National Old Trails Road from Cumberland, Maryland to Upland, California. They serve as a symbol of courage and faith of women who aided greatly in conquering the wilderness and establishing permanent homes. They are 10 feet high and weigh 5 tons. The states of Ohio, West Virginia, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, California, and Maryland each have one of the statues. Even before I knew the national significance of the one I was photographing in Lamar, Colorado, this past June, I knew it was significant to MY family history, because my mother had written a story about her trip in a covered wagon across Indian country west of Arkansas (See the November 6, 2008, blog post called "Covered Wagon Expedition" in the archives of this blog, for more details). What makes it even more significant to me, is that in July of this year, I had the opportunity to be driving in Cumberland, Maryland, and see part of the Cumberland Trail that is referenced in the National Old Trails Road association.
The Visitor Center/Amtrak Station in Lamar, Colorado, also has one of the wind turbine blades in its front yard, for visitors to photograph and touch. Even though it looks huge, I was told that it was a very short one, compared to most of the ones now being used throughout the country to harness wind power.
A historic train is on view beside the Visitor Center/Amtrak Station , and is a reference to the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad that came to Lamar, Colorado. The newly restored train station was originally built in 1907.
The best part about stopping at the Lamar Visitor Center was meeting these two ladies, who provided me with a wealth of information for writing this article! Their service at the Visitor Center is leaving a "trail" of respect and gratitude to our pioneer ancestors who had the fortitude to settle our Western frontiers. It is a reminder for me to ask myself, "What kind of a 'trail' am I leaving behind for those who will follow after me?" When I looked in my Bible concordance for the word "trail", this section from I Timothy 5:24-25 came up: "The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others TRAIL behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden." I want the TRAIL that I leave behind to be one that brings you "MILES OF SMILES"!! Tricia
Ventura, California, is a city located north of Los Angeles, that has an enviable location between the sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean, the coastal mountains, and two rivers that empty into the Pacific. The Ventura Pier shown in this photo has was once the mainstay of the area's agricultural and construction trade. It was once the longest wharf in the state of California, being rebuilt many times in its 144 year history. 
I was visiting Ventura for the first time ever, as part of a Road Scholar program ( www.roadscholar.org ) program on Channel Islands National Park. The program has chosen the Crown Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel ( www.cpventura.com ) as the lodging location for the program, and I was absolutely delighted to get to spend a week on the beach there!
Every room has a balcony and a view of the ocean. I took this photo from my room on the 11th floor. I could sit on my bed by the window ( or on the balcony chairs ), and watch beach activities 24 hours a day!
The nice thing about staying right on the beach is that I could roll out of bed, and go outside at dawn, to watch the sun come up, and do some photography. 
Ventura was chosen as the hub city for this particular Road Scholar program, because that is where the headquarters and main Visitor Center for the Channel Islands National Park is located.
Inside the Visitor Center, one can find exhibits, video viewing theater, book store, gift items, native plant information, aquariums and the simulated tide pool shown in this photo. Park interpreters give demonstrations and talks throughout the day to help acquaint visitors about all this area has to offer. 
I enjoyed climbing this tower, which has the visitor starting at the base of the ocean floor ( as represented by the kelp stalks shown on the outside of the building ), then climbing up several stories until you reach the water's surface, and finally a viewing platform at the very top, where you can not only see birds, but get a "bird's eye view" of all the surrounding harbor. For information on the Visitor Center hours and programs, visit www.nps.gov/chis .
Back along the beach, the wooden board walk ends, and a concrete bicycle trail takes visitors along the river, and inland towards the mountains.
Kayak rentals are available in the Ventura Harbor, as well as standup paddleboards, motor boats, bicycles, and pedal carts.
I did not want to miss the setting sun as I finished up my first day in Ventura Beach, and I was not disappointed. The smoke from the numerous forest fires north of Ventura, were giving the sun a picturesque red glow.
My hotel was located on Surfer's Point, and there seemed to be non-stop surfing throughout the daylight hours. I read that because of Ventura's
When our group went to downtown Ventura for a historical walking tour, we stopped at the restored Mission San Buenavenetura, which has been used for Christian worship services for over 200 years, and continues to serve the area in the same way. The mission was founded in 1782, and was named after a Catholic saint.
One way this prosperity is evidenced, is by the stately architecture of the Buenaventura City Hall. Ventura was founded by Franciscan Friars, and the statue in front of city hall pays tribute to this heritage, by memorializing Fray Junipero Serra, OFM. San Buenaventura was the ninth Mission in California, and was the last mission founded by Serra before his death. 
Ventura is also the place where Erle Stanley Gardner practiced law, and also authored the famous Perry Mason books about an attorney confined to a wheel chair. 
There is a free trolley that takes visitors all around the downtown, as well as the more distant location of the Ventura Harbor. 
One of our speakers for the Channel Islands Road Scholar program was Don Morris, who served as an archaeologist with the National Park Service for over 40 years. I could not resist having my photo taken with some of the "visual aids" he brought with him, for his lecture on the excavation of the Channel Islands Pygmy Mammoth.
I like the tag line for the sesquicentennial celebration Ventura is promoting---Historically Hip! More information about all there is to do in Ventura can be found at www.celebrateventura.org .
The good news is that the Amtrak station is a short two block, straight shot from the hotel to the boarding ramp.
The bad news is that the Amtrak train goes right beside the hotel. However, the sound never bothered me or woke me up at night.
Baby Boomers like myself may remember the song called "Ventura Highway". Well, this is the sign that sits above the "Ventura Highway", which is now the 101 Freeway. It is a retro-style and greets you as you enter downtown Ventura from the California Street off-ramp. Seeing this sign, and remembering that sign, and reliving my fantastic week in Ventura gives me "MILES OF SMILES"! Tricia
