Bert Nemcik

Lonesome Homesteads Bert Nemcik

In American history, the Santa Fe Trail looms as large as the Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico landscapes it traverses. Along its path, thousands of hearty settlers traveled westward seeking a new life. In some places, the wagon ruts remain reminding us of the primitive mode of travel used by those who sought freedom and fortune in the vast expanses of an untamed land. All of these restless and resilient pioneers are dead and buried many of them along the way in marked and unmarked graves. What remains are the myriad abandoned homesteads that once provided shelter to those who dared to explore the world beyond the tame sidewalks of the east. I live a few miles north of the Santa Fe Trail. Every time I ride along its route in my truck or on a motorcycle, I am enchanted by the lonely homesteads standing gaunt vigil along the roadside. They are a reminder of what once was a major route west for thousands of people. Though they may be abandoned now, once upon a time they were warm and cozy havens for the settlers who braved harsh winters, torrid summers, violent rainstorms, hostile Natives, greedy rustlers and a host of other dangers. Each time I pass by one of these places, I wonder, "What is its story? Who lived there? What kind of people were they? What caused them to leave this sanctuary behind and move? Where are their ancestors now?"The notion of telling their stories occurred to me on one of my many motorcycle trips through Trinidad, Colorado. I was cruising along, saw the remains of a sandstone structure and had to stop and look at it more closely. I admired the way the builders fit each stone together without cement making a remarkably tight wall. At that moment, I pulled out my notebook and began making notes. I would tell the stories of the lonesome homesteads I passed on the Santa Fe Trail. Each story would be unique, another facet of the story we call western expansion. Dear Reader, you must bear with me when I say I am writing their stories, but I am not going to let you know which ones are true and which are pure imagination. I have studied enough history to know the difference. These are the stories I wanted to tell and not necessarily those which some might want to hear. I hope these tales stir your imagination and make you want to take any mode of travel you can and come visit the great Santa Fe Trail. You won't be disappointed. I never am. Go West young man and woman! See what there is to see. Hear the sounds of raucous winds and desert silence. Touch the hot sands and frozen snowcaps. This is my challenge to you, but for now, read on. Bert NemcikWestcliffe, ColoradoFebruary, 2017