To many tourists, temporary and permanent residents of Santa Fe, the museums are a major draw, and although I have attended many times thru the years, I always return to see what's new. At the entrance to Museum Hill is this magnificent sculpture depicting the end of a journey on the Santa Fe trail that spanned many dangerous miles from the Missouri Territory to Santa Fe. "William Becknell and four other men traveled from Franklin, Missouri for a distance of 1,203 miles to open trading between the US and Mexico in Santa Fe. In the next twenty years, about 80 wagons and 150 people traveled the trail each year." Trader William Becknell is affectionately referred to as "The Father of the Santa Fe Trail." Lightly dusted with snow, I stopped to pay homage to the traders,settlers,and animals that made the long haul. To learn more, go to this site:
Santa Fe Trail
