FT. GARLAND, CO SEPT. 20, 2009

Fort Garland, Colorado
On the way "home" from the Great Sand Dunes we stopped at Fort Garland and visited the museum there.

Ft. Garland was built in 1858 and occupied until 1883 and was named for New Mexico Department commander Brevet Brigadier General John Garland.

Ft. Garland sat within land that bands of Ute Indians had occupied for centuries. The fort's main purpose was to protect nearby settlers and to ease further settlements.

After the Civil War, in 1866 and 1867 "Kit" Carson (depicted here with Chief Ouray) commanded the New Mexico Volunteers. Drawing on his knowledge of American Indian languages and culture, he aided Chief Ouray and other Ute leaders in the negotiations that created a Ute reservation. The coming of the railroad and the removal of American Indians brought Ft. Garland's 25 years of service to an end in 1883.

On the way home, we spotted another beautiful rainbow just south of Monument, Colorado.

On Monday morning, September 21, we woke up to an unpleasant surprise-you guessed it- SNOW!

It was just a "dusting" and melted by afternoon, but reminded us that it is time to think about heading south to Texas for the winter.

We have had a remarkable summer in Colorado!