Started the day with another very good breakfast courtsey of the Inn. After packing, loading the car we were off for our next overnight in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Shortly after leaving Santa Fe, we passed by Glorieta, New Mexico, which was the site of the only Civil War battle in New Mexico. Sometiimes called the Gettyesburg of the West, it ended the Confederate hopes of accessing mineral resources in Colorado. While a tactical win for the South, it was a strategic win for the North.
Further on we we had two reasons to pause in Las Vegas, New Mexico. First, was a stop to check out the Castandea Hotel. The Castandea is one one of three old railroad hotels in New Mexico and Arizona. The other two are La Posada in Winslow, Arizona and the Grand Canyon Railroad Hotel in Williams, Arizona. These are old hotels that have been refurbished with modern amenities, but retaining their old world charm. We have stayed in La Posada and Castandea is now on our to do list. Second, Las Vegas had the only Starbucks for several hundred miles.
The drive through Northern New Mexico is a beautiful one. For the most part excellent road surface and visually very pleasing to the eye. Except for the number of crosses planted beside the highway. We must have passed six or seven, the worse of which was a group of five all planted together. Most were located where you would think there was no chance for an accident.
In the many times we have traveled Interstated 25, we have never stopped in Wagon Mound, New Mexico. In fact, we have never even thought of stopping. Years ago, Barb had a friend who retired and moved to Wagon Mound, so this time I took the exit to see what Wagon Mound was about. With a population of 264 harty souls we didn't expect much and got less. Most of the downtown, all of two blocks, was mostly buildings with plywood windows and door. Wagon Mounds claim to fame is a nearby butte named, strangely enough, Wagon Mound, which was a landmark for wagon trains on the Santa Fe Trail.
Just before entering Colorado, we made it over the Raton Pass, elevation 7,834 without incident. In the past we have encountered one lane, with snow up to the car's side windows.
Lunch was so bad it will receive no further mention. Our motel for the next five night also will not receive further mention. Dinner at Biaggi's was the bright spot of the afternoon. Biaggi's was the site of my company retirement dinner twenty plus years ago.
Tomorrow we do stuff around Colorado Springs.
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