You might think in a small town there is nothing to do. Well, at least with Trinidad you would be wrong. Several Fridays ago, the United States Air Force Academy Band sent their brass quintet, "Stellar Brass", to perform in Trinidad at the Mount Carmel Center. The performance was sold out (the tickets were really free, you just had to get them before they were gone.) The music ranged from classical to jazz and the performance lasted about two hours. When the Air Force sends musicians they always perform familiar pieces and some of which that I have never heard. The group also explains the music which adds much to the evening. Last fall we were entertained by the String Ensemble from the Academy, an equally excellent and versatile group. We hope to see more from the Academy next year.
The Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre is based in Trinidad. We were fortunate enough to see three of their performances this past summer and the Queen City Jazz Band that they sponsored. The one that I enjoyed most was "On Golden Pond". It was not what I remembered from seeing the movie years ago. It was much better, I thought. The group had been performing at a theater on the campus of Trinidad State Junior College but they recently obtained their own building on Main Street. Their opening was "A Dysfunctional Family Thanksgiving Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre". Over the years the building has been many things but mostly it has been a department store. So the theatre is named "The Old Historic 'Famous Department Store' Theatre". They took possession on a Tuesday and gave the performance and dinner on Saturday. It was a stellar production with such a short preparation time. The gourmet dinner was catered by Cafe What 'A Grind. The two families involved were the Uptons and the Bottoms and they were characters, not just in the sense of actors in a play. The murder was committed (poison in a wine glass) and the audience was left to solve the mystery of who was the poisoner by questioning the cast members. Eventually, with the help of Lieutenant Dan ( local police detective) the mystery was solved. Who was the murderer? A member of the family.
In addition, we had a lighting parade and the town's Christmas lights were turned on. We missed this, being in Denver for Thanksgiving. Up coming is the Senior Center Christmas dinner, the Posada in which Mary and Joseph try to find a place to stay, and a ballet company is coming to town to perform with local dancers.
Nothing to do in a small town? I think not.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Where to Eat in Trinidad
This is NOT a review of restaurants in Trinidad. I have not been to a restaurant here where the food or service is less than good. I recommend all of them in which I have eaten.
We often eat lunch at the Sayre Senior Center. The food there is good, the service, provided by wonderful volunteers, is excellent, and company at the meal is wonderful and very interesting. The patrons (and volunteers) are a mixture of life-long residents and transplanted newbies. Discussions are always interesting.
I believe that the first place we ate in Trinidad (except for breakfast at the motel) was Bueno's, first on Commercial Street and then at their new location at Quality Inn motel south of town. I love their burrito smothered with Christmas (both red and green chili) with rice and beans and sopapillas for desert. I usually order the burrito. I have not had their meat loaf but the DMM says that it is very good. I can't remember what all we have eaten there but it has all been good. Service is very good.
We often eat at the Trinidad Diner. Their meat loaf, fried chicken (the half fried chicken is enough to get three meals from it), Greek food and gyros, roast beef, and menudo are all worth consideration. It is difficult, at times, to make up your mind. Service is as good as the food. Be sure to have a meal here.
My son and his spouse say that Bella Luna's pizza is the best they have ever eaten. I disagree but would place it second best. The best pizza is at Tony's in Columbia, Missouri. However, that was fifty years ago during our college years and in the company of the DMM and I may be suffering from nostolgia. Since Tony's is no longer in business Bella Luna can rightfully claim first place. Bella Luna is located on Main Street right in the Corizon de Trinidad.
Bob and Earl's is located on Highway12 (the Highway of Legends) and their food and service is equal to any other place in town. We have had roast beef, fried fish, meat loaf (yes, we like a good meat loaf), probably other items that I can't remember and, of course, their chili burger (try it, it is good). This place is just a down home restaurant with good food and service.
If you want Chinese food visit Chef Lui's. There are other Chinese restaurants in town but we have not yet visited them. The food and serve are good, hot tea is served at every meal. Usually there is more served than we can eat so we have lunch the next with the Chef Lui's food.
One of our neighbors recommended the Family Seed Restaurant so we went there. At the risk of repeating myself the food and service were very good. The first time we got burritos with rice and beans. Instead of refired beans, they were either red kidney beans or pinto beans. The other Saturday we went for breakfast. The DMM got bacon, eggs, potatoes, and a small stack. I got French Toast (lost bread) and got to help DMM eat her breakfast. Good coffee and plenty of it.
We have been to Cafe What 'Grind once for coffee and a roll in the morning. The other night the cafe catered a meal we attended - Pear and Gorgonzola salad, Chicken Osso Buco, Tri-Colored Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Asparagus and dessert. It was very good.
We have also eaten sandwiches and salads at the Corner Cafe and the Cafe at D Dry, both on Main Street. Good food and service at both.
From what I hear on the radio, we have 24 more restaurants to try.
We often eat lunch at the Sayre Senior Center. The food there is good, the service, provided by wonderful volunteers, is excellent, and company at the meal is wonderful and very interesting. The patrons (and volunteers) are a mixture of life-long residents and transplanted newbies. Discussions are always interesting.
I believe that the first place we ate in Trinidad (except for breakfast at the motel) was Bueno's, first on Commercial Street and then at their new location at Quality Inn motel south of town. I love their burrito smothered with Christmas (both red and green chili) with rice and beans and sopapillas for desert. I usually order the burrito. I have not had their meat loaf but the DMM says that it is very good. I can't remember what all we have eaten there but it has all been good. Service is very good.
We often eat at the Trinidad Diner. Their meat loaf, fried chicken (the half fried chicken is enough to get three meals from it), Greek food and gyros, roast beef, and menudo are all worth consideration. It is difficult, at times, to make up your mind. Service is as good as the food. Be sure to have a meal here.
My son and his spouse say that Bella Luna's pizza is the best they have ever eaten. I disagree but would place it second best. The best pizza is at Tony's in Columbia, Missouri. However, that was fifty years ago during our college years and in the company of the DMM and I may be suffering from nostolgia. Since Tony's is no longer in business Bella Luna can rightfully claim first place. Bella Luna is located on Main Street right in the Corizon de Trinidad.
Bob and Earl's is located on Highway12 (the Highway of Legends) and their food and service is equal to any other place in town. We have had roast beef, fried fish, meat loaf (yes, we like a good meat loaf), probably other items that I can't remember and, of course, their chili burger (try it, it is good). This place is just a down home restaurant with good food and service.
If you want Chinese food visit Chef Lui's. There are other Chinese restaurants in town but we have not yet visited them. The food and serve are good, hot tea is served at every meal. Usually there is more served than we can eat so we have lunch the next with the Chef Lui's food.
One of our neighbors recommended the Family Seed Restaurant so we went there. At the risk of repeating myself the food and service were very good. The first time we got burritos with rice and beans. Instead of refired beans, they were either red kidney beans or pinto beans. The other Saturday we went for breakfast. The DMM got bacon, eggs, potatoes, and a small stack. I got French Toast (lost bread) and got to help DMM eat her breakfast. Good coffee and plenty of it.
We have been to Cafe What 'Grind once for coffee and a roll in the morning. The other night the cafe catered a meal we attended - Pear and Gorgonzola salad, Chicken Osso Buco, Tri-Colored Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Asparagus and dessert. It was very good.
We have also eaten sandwiches and salads at the Corner Cafe and the Cafe at D Dry, both on Main Street. Good food and service at both.
From what I hear on the radio, we have 24 more restaurants to try.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Branson (Colorado, that is)
We had our first snow today. It was a little over an inch and was melted from the streets and side walks when we woke up. The sun is out and the temperature rising so it will probably be mostly gone by afternoon.
At the farmers' market this summer we heard about a Christmas crafts fair in Branson. Colorado and have been making plans to have a booth there. We found out that Branson has a population of about 70 people and wondered if it was worth attending. So we took a day trip to check out the town.
Branson is about 50 miles from Trinidad. We drove east and then south across the high plains almost to the border with New Mexico. Everytime I drive in eastern Colorado and western Kansas I wonder what it was like crossing the high plains in a wagon. My great grandmother did with two small children. They went from Missouri to Utah and then back to Nebraska. I covered in an hour what they would have covered in a week.
Arriving in Branson, we were at a loss for finding any information, so we went to the Post Office. The post-mistress was very helpful and provided with the information that we needed. She also told us the part of the crafts fair would be held in the town library which was the old Catholic church. Below is a picture the library.
Since there are no restaurants in Bransom we decided to continue south and west to Raton, NM. We passed through the towns of Folsum (home of the Folsum man and Folsum point) and Capul1n (home of a volcano). We didn't stop as we were getting hungry but plan to return soon. Somewhere between Branson and Folsum I took this picture of the fall colors.
Regarding the crafts fair, I contacted the lady in charge of the Homecoming celebration and got a booth. She told us that hundreds of people attend from all over the southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. So we hope to have a success in Branson. I guess we will miss Andy Williams. Maybe we'll take a CD with us.
At the farmers' market this summer we heard about a Christmas crafts fair in Branson. Colorado and have been making plans to have a booth there. We found out that Branson has a population of about 70 people and wondered if it was worth attending. So we took a day trip to check out the town.
Branson is about 50 miles from Trinidad. We drove east and then south across the high plains almost to the border with New Mexico. Everytime I drive in eastern Colorado and western Kansas I wonder what it was like crossing the high plains in a wagon. My great grandmother did with two small children. They went from Missouri to Utah and then back to Nebraska. I covered in an hour what they would have covered in a week.
Arriving in Branson, we were at a loss for finding any information, so we went to the Post Office. The post-mistress was very helpful and provided with the information that we needed. She also told us the part of the crafts fair would be held in the town library which was the old Catholic church. Below is a picture the library.
We were also able to visit the old jail (shown below). It was built in the early 20th century and once held two prisoners, both on charges of drunkeness. But they escaped
Since there are no restaurants in Bransom we decided to continue south and west to Raton, NM. We passed through the towns of Folsum (home of the Folsum man and Folsum point) and Capul1n (home of a volcano). We didn't stop as we were getting hungry but plan to return soon. Somewhere between Branson and Folsum I took this picture of the fall colors.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Photos of Courthouse Re-Dedication
This photo shows the side of the courthouse. The steps are undergoing rebuilding.
Monday, October 15, 2012
An Afternoon of Celebrations
A month or so ago, we attended two celebrations on one Friday afternoon. First we went down to Main Street for the Trinidad High School Miners Homecoming Parade. It was pretty much what you would expect -- fire truck with sirens, police cars, marching bands (two - both high school and middle school), floats, pretty young ladies and handsome young gentlemen as homecoming attendants and a very good turn out of adults and young people. Oh yes, most importantly, candy was thrown from the floats to the children on the sidewalks. I suspect that most of the adults were alumni of the high school. It was very enjoyable and somewhat nostalgic. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera.
The second celebration was the Centennial Re-Dedication Ceremony for the Las Animas County Courthouse. It began with the High School Band playing followed by the opening ceremonies. Local Masons and state Masonic officials were present for the re-dedication of the new cornerstone. Building of the courthouse began in 1912. It was built by local stonecutters and masons (many from Italy) from a local sandstone. I was told by a tour guide that the courthouse was built entirely without cement. The stones are simply fitted together without cement. Inside the courthouse is a wonderful wood carving illustrating the history of Las Animas County.
The Masonic Re-Dedication was very formal and very impressive. I have never experienced anything quite like it. The new cornerstone was examined by the Masons with a square, a compass, and a plumb line and was found to be square, true and plumb and, thus, acceptable. It was then anointed with corn, oil, and wine. And finally its placement in the building was approved.
The contents of the original time capsule from 1912 were presented and were on display. The contents of the new time capsule (2012) were presented. The ceremonies closed with remarks from dignitaries of the county.
As an interesting sidenote, the gentleman who discovered the position and who uncovered the original time capsule was a mason whose grandfather helped bury the original capsule.
The second celebration was the Centennial Re-Dedication Ceremony for the Las Animas County Courthouse. It began with the High School Band playing followed by the opening ceremonies. Local Masons and state Masonic officials were present for the re-dedication of the new cornerstone. Building of the courthouse began in 1912. It was built by local stonecutters and masons (many from Italy) from a local sandstone. I was told by a tour guide that the courthouse was built entirely without cement. The stones are simply fitted together without cement. Inside the courthouse is a wonderful wood carving illustrating the history of Las Animas County.
The Masonic Re-Dedication was very formal and very impressive. I have never experienced anything quite like it. The new cornerstone was examined by the Masons with a square, a compass, and a plumb line and was found to be square, true and plumb and, thus, acceptable. It was then anointed with corn, oil, and wine. And finally its placement in the building was approved.
The contents of the original time capsule from 1912 were presented and were on display. The contents of the new time capsule (2012) were presented. The ceremonies closed with remarks from dignitaries of the county.
As an interesting sidenote, the gentleman who discovered the position and who uncovered the original time capsule was a mason whose grandfather helped bury the original capsule.
Monday, September 10, 2012
TPaul and the divine MS. M go to Chicago
One of the reasons we moved to Trinidad had to do with transportation. As awful as it is to comtemplate, there will probably come a time when neither of us will be able to drive. While we still drive, Trinidad is located directly on Interstate 25 and two other interstate highways are accessable. There is a local transporation system that runs a bus on a regular circuit and also has smaller vehicles for specialized transportation. This service goes to Raton and Walsenberg and twice a week goes to Pueblo for medical appointments.
The other long distance transportation is the AmTrak line that stops in Trinidad. The train is the "Southwest Chief" and runs daily between Chicago and Los Angeles. We have relatives at both end of the line. It is possible to transfer to the "River Runner" in Kansas City and go to St. Louis. We decided to take the "Southwest Chief" to Chicago to visit are new grandson (and family, of course). The bus in Trinidad picked us up at our house and dropped us off at the train station.
The eastbound train arrives in Trinidad at 4:46 p.m. and arrives in Chicago at 3:15 p.m. the next day. The only problem is that freight trains take priority over AmTrak and this can play havoc with the schedule. The train was 45 minutes late getting into Trinidad. Despite further delays, the train was only 1 hour late getting into Chicago. As an aside, it would be easy to get upset over these delays but if you think about it, it is no worse than being delayed by a traffic accident, slow service in a restaurant, or oversleeping at a motel. It is a delay of about 4%. The cost was about half of what it would cost and took only one-third of the time to drive. The cost was about the same as flying but without the discomfort.
So we boarded the train, were shown to our reserved seats and set off across the high plains of eastern Colorado and Kansas. The views were good - ranches and cattle, pronghorns and a coyote, Fisher's Peak as we left Trinidad, and a rising full moon over the prairie. It was more enjoyable than either driving or flying.
We went to the dining car for dinner. DMM had roasted chicken with rice pilaf and green beans and I had pork loin with mustard sauce, creamed spinach, and wheat bulgar. The food was excellent and the cost was no more than it would have been in a typical restaurant. The service was very good. For breakfast the next morning we went the beverage and snack bar in the observation car and ate while we watched the Missouri and Iowa landscape. Lunch was again in the dining car - hamburgers, chips and iced tea.
On the evening of the first night, the attendant came to the car, distributed pillows, and adjusted the lights. The seats are wider than airline seats and there is probably three times as much leg room. The seats reclined and were as comfortable as a reclining chair at home. What was missing was the television and a glass of Tulamore Dew. We slept the night in the coach car. Any complaints about sleeping are due to our age and physical conditions rather than the accommodations.
Returning home we called the bus from LaJunta and it met us at the station and took us home.
All in all, the train ride was enjoyable. It was much nicer than flying or driving. Both DMM and I would do it again. We would like to try a sleeping car, if we can afford it. It is really a shame that train travel isn't more widely used and available in this country. I guess it says something about the power of the airlines and highway departments.
The other long distance transportation is the AmTrak line that stops in Trinidad. The train is the "Southwest Chief" and runs daily between Chicago and Los Angeles. We have relatives at both end of the line. It is possible to transfer to the "River Runner" in Kansas City and go to St. Louis. We decided to take the "Southwest Chief" to Chicago to visit are new grandson (and family, of course). The bus in Trinidad picked us up at our house and dropped us off at the train station.
The eastbound train arrives in Trinidad at 4:46 p.m. and arrives in Chicago at 3:15 p.m. the next day. The only problem is that freight trains take priority over AmTrak and this can play havoc with the schedule. The train was 45 minutes late getting into Trinidad. Despite further delays, the train was only 1 hour late getting into Chicago. As an aside, it would be easy to get upset over these delays but if you think about it, it is no worse than being delayed by a traffic accident, slow service in a restaurant, or oversleeping at a motel. It is a delay of about 4%. The cost was about half of what it would cost and took only one-third of the time to drive. The cost was about the same as flying but without the discomfort.
So we boarded the train, were shown to our reserved seats and set off across the high plains of eastern Colorado and Kansas. The views were good - ranches and cattle, pronghorns and a coyote, Fisher's Peak as we left Trinidad, and a rising full moon over the prairie. It was more enjoyable than either driving or flying.
We went to the dining car for dinner. DMM had roasted chicken with rice pilaf and green beans and I had pork loin with mustard sauce, creamed spinach, and wheat bulgar. The food was excellent and the cost was no more than it would have been in a typical restaurant. The service was very good. For breakfast the next morning we went the beverage and snack bar in the observation car and ate while we watched the Missouri and Iowa landscape. Lunch was again in the dining car - hamburgers, chips and iced tea.
On the evening of the first night, the attendant came to the car, distributed pillows, and adjusted the lights. The seats are wider than airline seats and there is probably three times as much leg room. The seats reclined and were as comfortable as a reclining chair at home. What was missing was the television and a glass of Tulamore Dew. We slept the night in the coach car. Any complaints about sleeping are due to our age and physical conditions rather than the accommodations.
Returning home we called the bus from LaJunta and it met us at the station and took us home.
All in all, the train ride was enjoyable. It was much nicer than flying or driving. Both DMM and I would do it again. We would like to try a sleeping car, if we can afford it. It is really a shame that train travel isn't more widely used and available in this country. I guess it says something about the power of the airlines and highway departments.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Weather
Several people mentioned how much snow we were going to get when we moved to Colorado, so I thought I might say something about the weather. Earlier in the spring, we had snow, rain, and sunshine all in one day. We came out for two weeks in November to look at houses. One day we woke to a couple of inches of snow and it was melted by noon. Later that week there were about 5 or 6 inches of snow and it was melted by the next day.
We bought a house and came out in late December for the inspection. We drove through snow from Colby, Kansas to Denver. The inspection was to be on a Friday but we received a call from the inspector postponing it until Monday as it had snowed 11 inches in Trinidad and the roof was covered. When we arrived in Trinidad on Monday (about 9 am) most of the snow had melted and the roads were clear. This seemed to be the pattern - snow and it quickly melts.
In April we awoke to a foot and a half of snow. I shoveled some of the walks and part of the driveway. In two days all of the snow had melted.
We bought a house and came out in late December for the inspection. We drove through snow from Colby, Kansas to Denver. The inspection was to be on a Friday but we received a call from the inspector postponing it until Monday as it had snowed 11 inches in Trinidad and the roof was covered. When we arrived in Trinidad on Monday (about 9 am) most of the snow had melted and the roads were clear. This seemed to be the pattern - snow and it quickly melts.
In April we awoke to a foot and a half of snow. I shoveled some of the walks and part of the driveway. In two days all of the snow had melted.
Spring and early summer were very pleasant. This summer has been hot and dry. Rain is much needed. The temperatures were high some days (over 100 degrees) but the low humidity made them bearable. The lack of rain has apparently caused the bears to come into town looking for food aand water. Some of the neighbors have seen them at night. We have not, although we did find where a bear relieved itself on our front lawn.
In general the weather is great, lots of sunshine, low humidity. Clouds over the mountains in the evenings making for beautiful sunsets. Usually we sit out on the lawn in the evening in a cool breeze with pretty skies.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Mini-Chaurauqua
We bought a season pass to Colorado's state parks. Trinidad Lake State Park (TLSP) has a series of presentations on Friday and Saturday evenings at their amphitheater and we have attended several of them. They have been entertaining and educational. The idea of Chautauqua presentations came to mind while driving to one the other night.
The presentations are hosted by Ranger Pat Patrick in the amphitheater on Caprios Ridge. Ranger Patrick is a wonderful host, funny, knowledgeable and who goes out of his way to make you feel welcome. From the ridge there is a wonderful view of Fisher's Peak (photo below) in one direction and the Spanish Peaks in the other
Located near the amphitheater are the campground and an old Jicarilla Apache camp. The only distracting aspect are the beautiful sunsets from the ridge. Sometimes it is not easy to pay attention to the presenters.
"Pretty, Prickly, and Persistent" was the first presentation we attended. It concerned the local ecosystem, the plants that grow in it, and how they have adapted to the environment. Having moved to a new ecosystem, it was interesting to discover some of the intricacies of it. After the presentation, the group took a walk around the area and observed many of the plants of the area.
Another presentation was on the native American and Spanish heritage of the southern Colorado area. We learned about the life and culture from the past of the area, the origin of place names, the foods they ate and how they were prepared. Within the amphitheater there is a horno, a beehive shaped adobe oven used by the native Americans and Spanish descendants. How the horno is used was explained and, as a bonus, Ranger Patrick baked "ranger biscuits" in it for us. It was amazing how delicious a simple biscuit baked in a horno and served with butter and honey is in the outdoor setting.
Not all of the presentations are about lectures and food. Two of the presentations were musical. One was a harmonica concert. A wide variety of music was played: popular, ragtime, blues, marches and rock and roll. In addition to the music, the history of the harmonica, the evolution of its use, and techniques were excellently explained to us. The second presentation was a pair of musicians playing guitars, mandolin, and a squibbler. Songs ranged from "Going Out to the Garden to Eat Worms" to Up on Cripple Creek", with additional songs that were new to me. Both presentations were thoroughly enjoyable evenings. The squibbler is an adaptation of a laptop dulcimer that look similar to and is played like a banjo.
All of this reminded me of Chautauqua -- I was educated, entertained, and buoyed up in spirit. I apologize for not getting the names of the presenters, they deserve to be mentioned.
The presentations are hosted by Ranger Pat Patrick in the amphitheater on Caprios Ridge. Ranger Patrick is a wonderful host, funny, knowledgeable and who goes out of his way to make you feel welcome. From the ridge there is a wonderful view of Fisher's Peak (photo below) in one direction and the Spanish Peaks in the other
Located near the amphitheater are the campground and an old Jicarilla Apache camp. The only distracting aspect are the beautiful sunsets from the ridge. Sometimes it is not easy to pay attention to the presenters.
"Pretty, Prickly, and Persistent" was the first presentation we attended. It concerned the local ecosystem, the plants that grow in it, and how they have adapted to the environment. Having moved to a new ecosystem, it was interesting to discover some of the intricacies of it. After the presentation, the group took a walk around the area and observed many of the plants of the area.
Another presentation was on the native American and Spanish heritage of the southern Colorado area. We learned about the life and culture from the past of the area, the origin of place names, the foods they ate and how they were prepared. Within the amphitheater there is a horno, a beehive shaped adobe oven used by the native Americans and Spanish descendants. How the horno is used was explained and, as a bonus, Ranger Patrick baked "ranger biscuits" in it for us. It was amazing how delicious a simple biscuit baked in a horno and served with butter and honey is in the outdoor setting.
Not all of the presentations are about lectures and food. Two of the presentations were musical. One was a harmonica concert. A wide variety of music was played: popular, ragtime, blues, marches and rock and roll. In addition to the music, the history of the harmonica, the evolution of its use, and techniques were excellently explained to us. The second presentation was a pair of musicians playing guitars, mandolin, and a squibbler. Songs ranged from "Going Out to the Garden to Eat Worms" to Up on Cripple Creek", with additional songs that were new to me. Both presentations were thoroughly enjoyable evenings. The squibbler is an adaptation of a laptop dulcimer that look similar to and is played like a banjo.
All of this reminded me of Chautauqua -- I was educated, entertained, and buoyed up in spirit. I apologize for not getting the names of the presenters, they deserve to be mentioned.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The City of Trinidad
The City of Trinidad
Trinidad is a small town with a population of some10 000 people. It is located at an elevation of about 6000 feet in the Purgatoire River Valley about 200 miles south of Denver and some 20 miles north of New Mexico. It is located on the Santa Fe Trail and was a rest stop for the wagons before they crossed the Raton Pass into New Mexico. To the west are the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and to the east are the high plains where Clint Eastwood might have drifted. It is the county seat of Las Animas County, the largest in Colorado.
It is a picturesque town with old buildings, Victorian mansions, adobe houses, and brick paved streets. It is a friendly town; if you ask someone a question be prepared for a conversation. It is a town where people know each other and might be related to them. A wide variety of cultures are represented.
Trinidad has a Welcome Center for visitors. The people who staff the center have been most helpful in getting us oriented while and after we moved here. There are museums -- the Baca House, the A. R. Mitchell museum containing western paintings and artifacts, the Trinidad History museum, the Landon-Henritze Archeology Museum at Trinidad State Junior College and the Childrens' Museum at Old Firehouse #1. The Highway of Legends is a drive that takes you past Lake Trinidad, through several coal mining towns, past geological oddities, over Chucera Pass to La Veta and into Walsenberg.
Trinidad has a golf course, a skate park and aquatic center, movie theaters, restaurants, art galleries and shops. A river walk runs along the Purgatoire River and there are a number of fine parks. The Trinidad Triggers baseball team has their home field here. Surrounding are a number of small communities that have much to offer. I will try to expand on all of this as I write this blog.
Names are interesting. I have discovered that Trinidad refers to the Trinity. Las Animas is Spanish for the souls. The full name of the river is Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatoire (Lost Souls in Purgatory River). The story is that Spanish explorers reached the river and were killed somehow. Since no priest was accompanying them, they could not be given last rites and would probably have to spend time in Purgatory. And the mountains that sometimes glow read at sunrise are called the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Blood of Christ Mountains).
Trinidad is a small town with a population of some10 000 people. It is located at an elevation of about 6000 feet in the Purgatoire River Valley about 200 miles south of Denver and some 20 miles north of New Mexico. It is located on the Santa Fe Trail and was a rest stop for the wagons before they crossed the Raton Pass into New Mexico. To the west are the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and to the east are the high plains where Clint Eastwood might have drifted. It is the county seat of Las Animas County, the largest in Colorado.
It is a picturesque town with old buildings, Victorian mansions, adobe houses, and brick paved streets. It is a friendly town; if you ask someone a question be prepared for a conversation. It is a town where people know each other and might be related to them. A wide variety of cultures are represented.
Trinidad has a Welcome Center for visitors. The people who staff the center have been most helpful in getting us oriented while and after we moved here. There are museums -- the Baca House, the A. R. Mitchell museum containing western paintings and artifacts, the Trinidad History museum, the Landon-Henritze Archeology Museum at Trinidad State Junior College and the Childrens' Museum at Old Firehouse #1. The Highway of Legends is a drive that takes you past Lake Trinidad, through several coal mining towns, past geological oddities, over Chucera Pass to La Veta and into Walsenberg.
Trinidad has a golf course, a skate park and aquatic center, movie theaters, restaurants, art galleries and shops. A river walk runs along the Purgatoire River and there are a number of fine parks. The Trinidad Triggers baseball team has their home field here. Surrounding are a number of small communities that have much to offer. I will try to expand on all of this as I write this blog.
Names are interesting. I have discovered that Trinidad refers to the Trinity. Las Animas is Spanish for the souls. The full name of the river is Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatoire (Lost Souls in Purgatory River). The story is that Spanish explorers reached the river and were killed somehow. Since no priest was accompanying them, they could not be given last rites and would probably have to spend time in Purgatory. And the mountains that sometimes glow read at sunrise are called the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Blood of Christ Mountains).
Monday, August 6, 2012
Recently my wife and I moved to Trinidad, Colorado from the Midwest. Trinidad is a small town in southeastern Colorado on the Purgatoire River at the foot of the Sangre' de Christo Mountains. The town has everything we were looking for in a place to retire. After living here for several months, I decided to write this blog to tell about Trinidad. I'm afraid that there will not be much order to the blog, hence the word "random" in the title.
Shortly after moving, in a newspaper article a local politician referred to us (not specifically us, but newcomers in general) as "transplanted newbies". The article reminded me of a story that my niece told me some time ago. She lives (born and raised, i.e., a native) in North Carolina. Apparently Northerners were moving into the state with different ways of doing things. A bumper sticker began to appear on cars in North Carolina. It read "We don't give a damn how you did things up North."
Several Saturdays ago we attended a presentation by rangers at Trinidad Lake State Park on cooking in a horno. The horno is a beehive-shaped adobe oven used by both the Native Americans and those of Spanish descent throughout the southwest. I asked the presenter who originated the horno -- the Indians or the Spanish. He said that it originated in Africa, was brought to Spain by the Moors, and then to the Americas by the Spanish. This made me wonder if the Native Americans put bumper (or perhaps "rumper") stickers on their horses reading "We don't give a damn how you did things in Mexico". Carrying this thought a little father, maybe the Mexican settlers had a bumper sticker when the traders came from Missouri on the Santa Fe trail and the mountain men put bumper stickers on when the ranchers and farmers settled in the area. Perhaps, if you invented a time travel machine, you could go back in time and make a fortune selling bumper stickers to the Germanic and Celtic tribes saying, "We don't give a damn how you did things in Rome."
But I thought that as a transplanted newbie, I could tell about the place where I have chosen to live out my life. Trinidad seems to be a wonderful place and daily I am finding out more that I like about it.
Shortly after moving, in a newspaper article a local politician referred to us (not specifically us, but newcomers in general) as "transplanted newbies". The article reminded me of a story that my niece told me some time ago. She lives (born and raised, i.e., a native) in North Carolina. Apparently Northerners were moving into the state with different ways of doing things. A bumper sticker began to appear on cars in North Carolina. It read "We don't give a damn how you did things up North."
But I thought that as a transplanted newbie, I could tell about the place where I have chosen to live out my life. Trinidad seems to be a wonderful place and daily I am finding out more that I like about it.
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