Getting Out: Fort Vasquez

Two Saturdays ago, we drove out to Fort Vasquez. It's not far from our house. I figured that there would not be many kids or people there.  I needed to get out of the house but wasn't ready yet to be around children.  And along the way we learned a little bit about the history.  Most fascinating for Doug was the fact that the Trading Post used to be on the east border of the river but is now a 1/4 mile away.

Most interesting fact about this place is that it is in the middle of a Highway.  The highway has to go on both sides of it.  It was influential for fur trading with the Indians in the early 1800's and was left in rubble until the WPA rebuilt it in the 1930's.

(My guess is that they added the Buffalo too but the sign didn't say that)

Trying to stay cool in the carseat, and in the shade. 
Samantha slept through the whole experience.

Walking through the Fort, we got to see where the living quarters were, the kitchen, the closet, and the blacksmith shop.

This is why I love Doug!  He is so silly.  These little guard towers were the only shade available. 

Looking out the windows in the guard tower.  I can imagine that this what the prairie looked like when the traders came to exchange goods.  (Obviously minus the lighting, security cameras and railroad tracks, ;) )

This is what you see from the other guard tower on the other side.  It takes the realism of your experience away when you realize that cars are zipping past doing 65.

Inside the had a Tee pee.  We couldn't find the door or we would have gone inside.  The museum was closed the day we went. But the continental divide and mountains were gorgeous, laced with snow caps, and a bright cloudless sky.