El Nuevo mexicano., 1918-01-03
Wonderful scenery on
The Old Spanish Trail
lPuebIo chleitalnl

Some of the finest Colorado scenery is
accessible to the automobile tourist by
way of the Spanish Trails highway which
leads from Pueblo to Walsenburg, Ala
mosa, through the San Luis valley into the
San Juan district TO Durango n south.
ward into New Mexico. A portion Of this
highway was q part Of the original Santa
ne trail which led from Pueblo into the
San Luis valley and thence south into
New Mexico TO Santa Fe. Years ago, the
travellers shortened the route by cutting
off from La Junta and taking q southeast
efly course into New Mexico.
But the present Spanish Trails IL far
better than that portion used years ago as
a part Of the Santa Fe trail. But tho
scenery is no grander perhaps yet tbs
tourist avoided it because the wonders
along this route were little known outside
Of the state, and indeed by but a few In
the state. The opening and construction
OF the new highway, however, has made It
possible for the autoist TO make the trip
in ease and to the much publicity that has
been given the acute by those who UNDER
took it during the year 1916 brought hun
dreds of others to the state last year, and
they are all one in acclaiming 1t one Of
the finest scenic trips in America.
Besides beautiful scenery and cool
weather there are other interesting things
to be seen on this trip. There are the
ruins of the Cliff Dwellers at Mesa Verde
and the Shiprock Indian agency, both Of
which are attracting nationwide interest,
and it is expected that thousands Will visit
them in the next few years.
The very highest type Of prehistoric
civilization in the United States is repre-
scented in the ruins of the Mesa Verde
National park. Many centuries ago the
cliff dwellers sought refuge from enemies
in the canon walls adjacent to the Man
cos valley, and there constructed cities
that are models of skillful architecture to
this present day. Crude tools of stone
were all the implements available. over
the remains of these ancient people there
hangs a pail of mystery that holds tho
tourist in a weird conjecture. Who were
they2 Where did they originator Where
did they go?
That the Hopi indians OF New MexiAs
and Arizona are descendants of these cliff
jewellers is held by some archaeological au.
thorities. based on a somewhat similarity
of arrangement of living houses. The cir
Shhuk VNOhAA6o VI liz PAO0CAJ udy IIOUl
are used by the men exclusively, while the
women and children occupy the square
shaped rooms. The pottery, arrow points,
stone axes, fiber cloth, fiber sandals, mum
mics, corn, animal bones, ETC., found by
excavating in these ancient ruins of the
Mesa Verde show that human beings ex-
listed and flourished at one time there.
The Shiprock Agency is one OF the most
noted of its kind in the nation. Its build
ings are equipped with gas, water and sewer
systems. School buildings for Navajo
Indian children are maintained, and the
agency with its flowers, green lawns, fruit
and shade trees is a veritable oasis in a
desert. The towering Shiprock, which
gives the agency its name, is located some
Is miles southwest Of the school. The
Navajo tribe numbers something like 49,
900, and are not given rations by the gov
eminent. They OWL thousands OF cattle,
sheep, ponies and goats, The squaws
weave the celebrated blankets from pure
wool, and the silyersmiths make bracelets,
rings and ornaments dear to the civilized
as well as the savage heart. Mexican sill
ven dollars are used in manufacturing Ma
vajo jewelry, because they contain less
alloy than our dollar. Navajo traditions
regarding the cliff jewellers and occupants
of other prehistoric ruins of this roman
tic section, are very misty. The Nava
jos say that it is very many moons since
the Navajo ran the cliff jewellers into
the rivers, where they turned into fish.
The present day Navajo will neither enter
one Of the ruins nor will he eat fish.
Some Of them are wealthy. and near Gal
lup may be seen running automobiles.
They are a good natured, friendly tribe Of
Indians, and respond readily to kindness.