Civil War to Cold War in New Mexico
With Neil Mangum. Tour dates: October 1-6, 2019
This one-of-a-kind tour will be a fascinating, whirlwind excursion taking in the Civil War (Battle of Glorieta Pass—Apache Canyon and Pigeon's Ranch, Forts Union and Craig, the Battle of Valverde), the Lincoln County War, and the Cold War (Los Alamos, and the Trinity Test Site). Our adventure will trace a big loop beginning and ending in Albuquerque, and has a little of everything: historic and prehistoric Native American sites, American Civil War battlefields dating to the Confederate invasion of New Mexico, Lincoln County War sites including plenty of burials (Billy the Kid), stunning geological wonders and breathtaking landscapes, Wild West ghost towns, and the site of the first atomic bomb detonation (open to the public on only two days a year). Add to that some spectacular museums (Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, Manhattan Project National Historic Park, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, among others), and the result is a stimulating and educational road trip that is sure to expand your understanding and appreciation of the diverse and deeply layered history of the American Southwest. [Scroll down for registration information]
NOTE: All hotel lodging — whether you chose the 5-night or 6-night option — is included in the registration, and reservations will be managed for you by Woodbury Historical Tours.
NOTE: All hotel lodging — whether you chose the 5-night or 6-night option — is included in the registration, and reservations will be managed for you by Woodbury Historical Tours.
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General Itinerary
DAY ONE: ARRIVE in Albuquerque (Tuesday, October 1) Check in to our hotel: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104; Rooms are available as of 3:00 p.m. The hotel will hold your luggage in a secure facility if you're arriving early—drop off your bags and enjoy wandering around Albuquerque's historic Old Town Plaza until check-in. Dinner is on your own at one of many fine restaurants in the area. See http://albuquerqueoldtown.com/index.php?page=dining 7:30 p.m. registration and reception at the hotel: meet your host and guide, pick up registration packets. We'll have a bartender in the room (purchase your own drinks). Complimentary chips and guacamole, and cookies. 8:00 p.m. Neil will set the stage with a presentation about the adventures to come. DAY TWO (October 2) • enjoy a delicious breakfast in the hotel restaurant (with your breakfast voucher)—service begins at 6:00 a.m. • Bus departs 8:15 a.m. sharp (please have your luggage brought to the bus by 7:50 a.m.) • First stop: Mormon Battalion Monument • Los Alamos: Manhattan Project National Historic Park Visitor Center, visit the Bradbury Science Museum. • Plaza in Santa Fe. Lunch on your own (choose from one of many eateries to please your palate) • Optional tour the Palace of the Governors Museum on the Plaza, or use that time to shop at the plaza's open air market • Journey's End Monument (Santa Fe Trail) • Major stop at Pecos National Historic Park, Visitor Center, and trail to the ruins • Battle of Glorieta Pass: stops at Apache Canyon and Pigeon’s Ranch, Kozlowski Trading Post •Overnight in Las Vegas, New Mexico, at the Historic Plaza Hotel (hotel room is provided; dinner is on your own at one of many close-by eateries) DAY THREE (October 3) • enjoy a delicious breakfast in the in the Range Cafe in the hotel lobby (included in your registration). The cafe is opening for us at 7:00 a.m. • Bus departs 8:15 a.m. sharp (please have your luggage brought to the bus by 7:50 a.m.) • First stop: Fort Union National Monument (played a pivotal role in the 1862 New Mexico Campaign) • Drive by Village of Anton Chico followed by stop at Puerto de Luna — exclusive, private visit to site of Father Polanco's store, where Billy the Kid had his last Christmas dinner as a prisoner of Sheriff Pat Garrett. • Lunch at Joseph's Bar & Grill (included in your registration) in Santa Rosa, New Mexico on Route 66 • Stops at Fort Sumner State Historic Park; grave of Billy the Kid & two of his pals, Fort Sumner Monument, Visitor Center/Memorial to the Navajo, history Long Walk and Navajo confinement at Bosque Redondo • Overnight in Roswell, New Mexico, at the Fairfield Inn and Suites (hotel room is provided; dinner is on your own) DAY FOUR (October 4) • Complimentary breakfast in the hotel dining area • Bus departs 8:15 a.m. sharp (please have your luggage brought to the bus by 7:50 a.m.) • First stop: Roswell Museum and Art Center (Neil has arranged to have them open 1/2 hour early to accommodate our group). Of special interest to us is the exhibit on Robert Goddard, generally acknowledged as the father of modern rocketry. Robert Hutchings Goddard: Dreamer, Tinkerer, Pioneer. Goddard Galleries and Workshop Recreation. The Museum also has an excellent exhibit on the Indian Wars. • Lincoln Monument State Historic Park • 12:30 p.m. Lunch at the Dolan House (included in your registration), with a brief presentation by the owner • Fort Stanton • Smokey the Bear Historical Park, Visitor Center, pay respects at the grave of Smokey the Bear • Ghost town of White Oaks, in Lincoln County • Visit to overlook, and lava trails at the Valley of Fires National Recreation Area • Overnight in Socorro, New Mexico, Best Western (hotel is included in your registration; dinner on your own) DAY FIVE (October 5) • Complimentary breakfast in the hotel dining area • Bus departs 8:15 a.m. sharp (please have your luggage brought to the bus by 7:50 a.m.) First stop: a detailed visit to the Trinity Test Site: Ground Zero, and the McDonald House • lunch at the Owl Café, home of the "World Famous" Green Chile Cheeseburger, San Antonio, New Mexico (included in your registration) • Battle of Valverde • Fort Craig • Elfego Baca Heritage Park • Overnight in Socorro, New Mexico, Best Western (hotel is included in your registration; dinner plans to be determined: check back soon for updates) DAY SIX (October 6) • Complimentary breakfast in the hotel dining area • BUS DEPARTS at 7:30 a.m. (we will need to leave earlier than usual to arrive at our first stop by 9:00 a.m. for a docent-led tour) -- please have your luggage to the bus by 7:15 a.m. • First stop: National Museum of Nuclear Science and History —one-hour docent-led tour • Sunset Memorial Park to visit the grave of legendary Elfego Baca (“The Frisco War”) • A filling lunch at El Pinto, an Albuquerque favorite (included in your registration) • Personal Guided tour by a retired ranger at the Coronado State Historic Site • check into Comfort Inn (Airport) for anyone who will be staying overnight on Sunday • bus will transport anyone who is interested back to Old Town Albuquerque • enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring Old Town around the Plaza — click HERE for a handy map of restaurants, galleries, and more). • the bus will return us to the Comfort Inn in the early evening to conclude the tour [retire to your room if you're staying, or catch the hotel shuttle to the airport to catch a flight, or retrieve your car from long-term parking]. |
A belt buckle from the mass grave at Glorieta (Department of Cultural Affairs Office of Archaeological Studies).
Billy the Kid
On July 16, 1945, the world's first atomic bomb was detonated approximately 60 miles north of White Sands National Monument (White Sands Missile Range Photo).
Trinity Test Site. Reprinted from Vincent C. Jones, Manhattan: The Army and the Atomic Bomb (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office,1985)
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
https://www.balloonfiesta.com/ 
above: Neil Mangum and David Woodbury at the 7th Cavalry Memorial atop Last Stand Hill at the close of last fall's tour of the Rosebud and Little Bighorn.
Come for the history, stay for the balloons!
Albuquerque's famous International Balloon Fiesta will be underway when we return to the city on Sunday. Plan on taking in Balloon Glows Sunday evening, or stick around during the week for a full schedule of events. |