Happy Trails To You

...speaking of adventures, just recently, while driving in south Kansas City, I viewed some 200 year old ruts or swales, left by the thousands of wagons that traveled on the famous Santa Fe Trail. Now, it was not a surprise that the ruts were there, after all, there are "Santa Fe Trail" markers, all over the area. (Fewer than the number of "Hideout of Jesse James" signs, however. That man was everywhere!!!)  

The Santa Fe Trail, began in Franklin, in central Missouri. William Becknell is considered the founder of the the trail, and he made his first trek in 1821. Franklin is a tiny little town (markers say that there was both a New Franklin and an Old Franklin) on the North Bank, of the Missouri River. The trail crosses the river at Arrow Rock, and goes along the South bank, towards Independence. Independence is known as the spot that became the headquarters, for "outfitting" all of the travelers, on the trails.

Independence celebrates its history, of being the trailhead for 3 major trails, with a yearly celebration named SantaCaliGon Days. Each Labor Day Weekend brings thousands of revelers to this slightly bizarre combination of Craft Show, Fried Food Orgy and tacky Carnival. Attending once, is probably enough.

The travel on the trails peaked in the 1840's. In 1846, the United States Army used the trail to invade New Mexico. By 1863, railroads were beginning to span the county, and the trails ceased to be the best way to move goods and settlers.

According, to my quick and certainly not expert research, the life of the trail was a mere forty-some years. A very short lifetime, indeed.

Dear Lord:  Our life's journey may be long or short. Sometimes we wonder whether one life can make a difference. But, we must remember that we may never know, how our lives might impact our fellow 

travelers. Be kind. Be loving. Care. Help us to remember your commandments.