By Mark Wing, based on research by Paul and Marilyn Duncan and Dave Ferro. Photos by Mark Wing (unless otherwise noted).
Friday was our third day of the tour and our destination was Pecos National Historic Park. After a tour of the park, we had lunch at Frankie’s at the Casanova Restaurant in Pecos, and returned to the Plaza Hotel. Joining us on this tour today was Vaughn Rockafellow who lives in Rio Rancho (near Albuquerque), and Orlando Ortega who had driven the 180 miles from Portales, NM that morning.
After breakfast and a driver’s meeting, we were off to Pecos National Historic Park.
Pecos National Historic Park was created in 1991 by combining the Pecos Pueblo National Monument, the Glorieta Pass Civil War site, the Santa Fe Trail sites, and the Forked Lightening Ranch House, plus some ranch land donated by the actress Greer Garson. The Pecos Pueblo was the major Native American farming and trading community east of the southern Rocky Mountains. The Pueblo was first built around 1100 AD.
We were given a great tour by French/Italian ranger Sylvie.
The tour described life for the Pecos Pueblo people, the strategic location for their defense, how they raised food, and the Spanish occupation influence on the people.
Our tour included the remains of a large Spanish Church.
After leaving the Pecos National Historic Park, it was time for lunch!
After lunch, it was time for the 45 mile drive back to the Plaza Hotel.
Once we returned to the Plaza Hotel, tour participants had a chance to rest up and socialize before dinnertime.
Click on links (below) to access other tour days:
Sept. 22 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 1, Plaza Hotel
Sept. 23 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 2, Fort Union
Sept. 24 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 3, Pecos
Sept. 25 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 4, Mora
Sept. 26 – Following the Santa Fe Trail Tour, Day 5, return home