Santa Fe Trail Trip

[usranger74]

The recovery from surgery is going well. I am starting to think about my first "big" ride of 13. I read an article in a MC mag about riding the Santa Fe Trail. I think I am going to give it a go,

http://goo.gl/maps/ro1bV

Will pick the SF Trail up at Baldwin City, KS. At Doge City, KS will take the Nth Loop of the Trail. At Spinger, NM will pick up the Sth loop of the trail and take it back to Dodge City.

I am looking at 3 nights and 4 days. First night will be in Great Bend, KS. Night two will be near Spinger, NM. Night 3 will be in Hays, KS. From there I will work my way home on day 4.

I am looking at late April or early May to do the ride.

Thoughts and suggestions welcomed.

[nomadtom69]

Glad to hear your recovery is on track hope everthing stays that way and you can be back riding.

[Jared]

Bill, you amaze me. Congrats on the quick recovery and eagerness to get back in the saddle. That route is complete foreign territory to me. Looks like a fun ride!

[blowndodge]

way to go Bill!!!

[cactusjack]

Have you ever been to Springer, NM before, Bill? There's not much there.

It's good to see you getting back on the horse, though. I hope all goes well.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

why to go Bill!!!

Why not, Mr. English-is-my-second-language?

[blowndodge]

waddya jaws flappin bout now? Don't make me wish "Big Heat" to arrive early on ya!!

[usranger74]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Have you ever been to Springer, NM before, Bill? There's not much there.

It's good to see you getting back on the horse, though. I hope all goes well.

Scott - Not been there before. It's my turn back east point and the end of a 400+ mile day. Google says there is a hotel there - I hope so

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/234/1112...-Cafe-Springer

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ew_Mexico.html

$50/ night and that includes breakfast.

Or bump over to Cimmaron that night. http://www.cimarroncanyoninn.com/index.html

Will have reservations where ever I end up.

Txs for the warning

[cactusjack]

Just letting you know not to expect much. I stopped in Springer for gas once and there wasn't much there. On the other hand, Las Vegas NM is only about an hour south on I-25 and has much more to offer.

Pickings can be very slim in NM outside of the major cities. When I rode back from Antlers last fall I was on US-60 west of Clovis and went through 4 towns before I found a cafe that wasn't boarded up.

[elvis]

Originally Posted by usranger74

Or bump over to Cimmaron that night. http://www.cimarroncanyoninn.com/index.html

Hi Bill,

If you end up staying there, check out St. James Hotel, here are some notes from our logbook:

http://suziandelectra.wordpress.com/...-08-nm-280-km/

As far as Las Vegas, NM goes, it's a nice little charming town. We like it riding from Santa Fe to Las Vegas and back on I25, it was very nice despite being an interstate ride. If you ever extend your trip that way, I'm thinking, you would like it, too.

Cheers,

E.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by elvis

Hi Bill,

If you end up staying there, check out St. James Hotel, here are some notes from our logbook:

http://suziandelectra.wordpress.com/...-08-nm-280-km/

As far as Las Vegas, NM goes, it's a nice little charming town. We like it riding from Santa Fe to Las Vegas and back on I25, it was very nice despite being an interstate ride. If you ever extend your trip that way, I'm thinking, you would like it, too.

Cheers,

E.

Today's bit o'trivia...

The movie Red Dawn (the original, with Patrick Swayze) was filmed in and around Las Vegas, NM. Wolverines!

[tcat]

Several hotels in Raton if your other options don't work out - also if you have time the ride from Cimmaron to Eagles Nest / Red River / Questa and then loop back over to I 25 @ Waslenburg is pretty good.

[a340driver]

Nice to see your makin plans !!

[petenomad]

I've been to Baldwin City a few times, but only passing through. I'm not really sure I'd go out of my way to get there.

Cimarron is home to Philmont Scout ranch where I spent a wonderful 2 weeks backpacking about 30 years ago. The Tooth of Time is their iconic sight.

Another pretty cool thing is the Koshare Indian Kiva in LaJunta. This is actually not an Indian tribe, but was started by a Boy Scout leader (who has since passed on) as an homage to Indian culture. If I recall he lived with a few tribes over his life. He had an impressive collection of native artifacts and the Scouting organization that he started still does traditional Indian dances with several performances throughout the year ( but I don't see any more likely until June).