Fort Stanton, Lincoln

   Today was a full day of playing tourist. We had last visited the following site in May of 2007. A lot has changed in those nineteen years and all for the better. First up what was a merchant marine cemetery. In 2007 it was a tad overgrown and looked forgotten. Now it is a state veterans cemetery with a lot of improvements.

The grounds are well kept and nice new facilities. There are many graves here and a lot came from Fort Stanton which you will  learn more about soon.

 Now on to Fort Stanton which has a long history. Read more about it HERE. When we last were in this area there was no visitor center. Happily there is now. Always enjoy learning about history.

 They have many buildings and exhibits covering the many years and usages of the fort.

The fort played a role in the next stop on our historical journey. If you are not familiar with the Lincoln County wars, watch the old John Wayne movie "Chisum" or if seek reality, not Hollywood go HERE.

 At any rate the town has been preserved pretty as it was in those days. A lot to see and learn about a turbulent time in New Mexico history.

 Now we move up the road to Capitan New Mexico. Still on a historical theme. Those of a certain age remember Smokey the Bear. Star of many commercials about fire safety years ago. The original Smokey was found outside Capitan after a fire. Upon his death he came home. More details HERE. The facilities are vastly improved since our last visit, but for the better.

And on that same historical theme, a blast from the past, circa 2007.

on to Santa Fe tomorrow in search of rosebuds...