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Bent's Fort on a chilly morning.
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"The Boomer Magazine" now delivers Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We offer a variety of topics including: photography assignments, interesting retirements, travel, books, movies, music, butterfly gardening, rose ranchin', and other "Baby Boomer" stuff.
Mondays are work related. Wednesday's we move to lighter subjects and by Friday, it's time for some fun.
The Bent's Fort Story
I don't know why I had never been to Bent's Fort.
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Bent's Fort early a.m.
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I lived in Colorado Springs for several years and have always had an interest in the fur trade. The fort was within a couple hundred miles of my home. I guess I just didn't have presence of mind to stop and smell the roses.
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Inside Bent's Fort
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Fifteen years later, living fifteen hundred miles away, I finally got round to visiting the fort. That's kinda the story of my life. Never could do things the easy way.
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Ox Cart near Bent's Fort's wood pile
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I was driving down I-25 on the way back to San Antonio from a job in Wyoming. During the trip, I had been reading, Hampton Side's, Kit Carson biography "Blood and Thunder".
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Kicking back fur trade style, Bent's Fort NHS, Colorado
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Hampton Sides is a great Memphis writer who reminds me of another Memphis historian, Shelby Foote.
link to my "Blood and Thunder" review
It's a terrific biography that tells the story of the west from fur trade through manifest destiny. Plus, Side's is an excellent writer and keeps you glued to the pages.
link to my "Blood and Thunder" review
It's a terrific biography that tells the story of the west from fur trade through manifest destiny. Plus, Side's is an excellent writer and keeps you glued to the pages.
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Bent's Fort interior scene
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As I finished the book and I realized I could drive by the Fort on my way back to San Antonio.
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Fire pit and wider interior view, Bent's Fort NHS
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Hunter re-enactor carries wood on Bent's Fort upper deck.
The only problem was that I had another guy with me and he was in a big hurry to get home. As he said, history just wasn't his "thing". So we swung by the fort and did a hurried tour. I snapped a few photo's while silently swearing I would return to enjoy the place.
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Morning coffee. Bent's Fort NHS, near La Junta, Colorado
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Once back in Texas I called the Fort and learned there would be a re-enactment in a couple of months. It was the perfect opportunity to go back and really let the history soak into my bones.
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Bent's Fort working tools
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I booked a hotel room and scheduled my return trip.
Upon return I found the people at the Fort to be super accommodating. That is not always the case with Park Service. It was a welcome surprise.
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Inside front gate, Bent's Fort, Colorado
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One fellow, a guide or interpreter, by the name of John Carson, was actually the great grandson of Kit Carson. John was kind enough to give me the grand tour. I was honored to walk those historic grounds with Kit's own blood kin.
To me there are two places that standout when it comes to the fur trade and the opening of the west. One is Bent's Fort in Colorado and the other is the Missouri River's Fort Union on the North Dakota - Montana border. Both are still available for viewing and are in excellent condition thanks to the US Park Service.
To me there are two places that standout when it comes to the fur trade and the opening of the west. One is Bent's Fort in Colorado and the other is the Missouri River's Fort Union on the North Dakota - Montana border. Both are still available for viewing and are in excellent condition thanks to the US Park Service.
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Mountain men re-enactors build a fire at Bent's Fort.
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John Carson was a font of history and a fun guy. On re-enactment days I got there early and stayed late. The re-enactors were just as helpful and patient as John.
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John Carson repairs Sante Fe Trail freighter wagon
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I was able to talk with knowledgeable people about all aspects of the fur trade. I was in hog heaven. Why am I so interested in the fur trade era ? That answer has to do with the very founding of this nation and the establishment of it's core principles.
Link to my review of "Early Fur Trade of the Northern Plains"
The re-enactors were well versed on history of the fort as well as the western United States.
Link to my review of "Early Fur Trade of the Northern Plains"
The re-enactors were well versed on history of the fort as well as the western United States.
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Tending the home fires, Bent's Fort on the Sante Fe Trail
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It was just cold enough to add the right atmosphere to this living history scene. It was a perfect opportunity for a photographer.
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Early coffee gathering, Bent's Fort re-enactors.
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What a great opportunity. The re-enactors made it all come to life. Every time I clicked the shutter, I knew the scene would tell it's own story.
If you have any interest in American history, I would strongly recommend attending a re-enactment event. Most NPS Historical Landmarks have re-enactors who help with the park's interpretation programs. Try to go when they are doing a living history program. Take the kids and grands, you'll be glad you did.
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Booshway's Mess at Bent's Fort NHS
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It's not so much what you see as the opportunity to ask all the questions and soak up all the re-occuring life around you. The food you see in these pictures is the same exact food that would have been served at this same table. It is even prepared the same way.
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Executive dining room fur trade era, Bent's Fort, National Historic Site
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The living history players know their facts. Expect strong opinions. Each of the participants at this table represents a real person in history. This was the head table and reserved for fort's management. It was, after all, a business, first and foremost. These were the men who ran the business.
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Open fire turkey and stew, re-enactors, Bent's Fort National Historic Site, Colorado
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You don't spend a lifetime studying a subject without making a few conclusions. They could care less which side the revisionists come down on. These people can tell you far more than most college professors today.
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En guarde, Hunter on lookout at Bent's Fort NHS
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The typical re-enactor will stand by their opinions. I think I trust them a hell of a lot more than today's history book authors and editors. Oh I forgot, they don't teach history anymore. It is now social studies or something.
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The engage' talks to the hunter, Bent's Fort NHS, Colorado
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I hope you enjoy this little pictorial. Re-enactors help bring about a more realistic impression for the visitors. The fort was teeming with visitors and without the volunteers those visitors would not have learned near as much.
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Interior of front gate wall, Bent's Fort NHS, Colorado
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During this event the local Boy and Girl Scouts were invited to the demonstrations and talks. They really got into it. The older folks enjoyed seeing the kids get involved.
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| A cold morning, a late moon, frozen grass and Bent's Fort. I want to go back ! I love this place !!! |
This article brought to you by the usual suspect @:
John B. Boykin
"The Hard Hat Photographer"
Photography and Media Relations
San Antonio Midland Williston The World
Life's purpose is not to arrive at the grave with the body in good shape. Hell no, you want your body worn slap out, skidding in sideways, eyes bloodshot, hair smoking and all the while hollering "Yee Haw !! ... What a ride !!"
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