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]
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General Itinerary
DAY ONE: ARRIVE in Albuquerque (October 1) Check in to our hotel (to be announced); 7:00 p.m. registration and reception: meet your host and guide, pick up registration packets. DAY TWO (October 2) • 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) • Tour the Palace of the Governors Museum on the Plaza • Journey's End Monument (Santa Fe Trail) • Battle of Glorieta Pass: stops at Apache Canyon and Pigeon’s Ranch, Kozlowski Trading Post • Major stop at Pecos National Historic Park, Visitor Center, and trail to the ruins •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) • 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 — rare, 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) • First stop: Lincoln Monument State Historic Park • Fort Stanton • Picnic lunch at Capitan, Smokey the Bear Historical Park, Visitor Center, pay respects at the grave of Smokey the Bear (lunch included in your registration) • 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) • First stop: Battle of Valverde • Fort Craig • lunch at the Owl Café, home of the "World Famous" Owl Green Chile Cheeseburger, San Antonio, New Mexico (included in your registration) • After lunch: a detailed visit to the Trinity Test Site: Ground Zero, and the McDonald House • 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) • First stop: National Museum of Nuclear Science and History • Sunset Memorial Park to visit the grave of legendary Elfego Baca (“The Frisco War”) • Lunch at El Pinto (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]. 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. You'll need to make your own hotel arrangements after the expiration of our group block (our final night is Sunday, October 6. One option may be to extend your stay at the Comfort Inn–Airport). The Balloon Fiesta is Albuquerque's premier event, and hotels rooms will be scarce as we get closer to the event. For more information on Civil War to Cold War in New Mexico, click on the button below and send us an email.
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.
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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/ REGISTRATION : pay the full registration now, or reserve your seat on the bus with a deposit. Your registration includes the opening night reception (including orientation talk), a seat for the 5-day bus tour, 4 delicious lunches, entrance to all museums and historic sites, registration maps and reading materials, and either 5 or 6 nights lodging (depending on whether you choose to stay at the hotel on the final night in Albuquerque). Also included—and most importantly—the guide services and interpretation of our on-board historian, Neil Mangum.
TOUR COST: $1050 per person (plus hotel) LODGING COSTS: There are four (per person) lodging options. Hotel costs will be combined with the Tour cost when you click the corresponding PayPal button (you'll be able to select quantities in the shopping cart). Chose one of four options to "Buy Now" and select a quantity. If you wish to only to reserve seats, use the "Pay Now" button at the bottom to make a deposit. If you have trouble with any of these payment buttons, you can also request an invoice by clicking on the Send Email button at left, and give me your registration details.
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