Long ago, pilgrims came to El Santuario from near and far. Before New Mexico was a state, before it was a territory, when it was part of New Spain, explorers wanting to link this group of Spanish Missions with those in California turned their attention northward, then westward to find ways around the imposing rugged waterless desert and the more imposing Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. Various routes were identified, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
Purgatory, a mining stop during the early days when New Mexico became a territory, was not a stopover on the Old Spanish Trail, but lies a day's walk north of Durango, Colorado. Nonetheless, Purgatory seems to me to be a suitable starting point to explore a modern Pilgrim Camino to El Santuario.
The Old Spanish Trail is one of the identified National Historic Trails maintained by the US Forest Service. This trail is interesting as a Pilgrim Camino because it was in use at the time when El Santuario was built and being filled with unique religious art in the turbulent times of Mexico's independence, border conflicts with the US, and westward expansion.
Pilgrims then and now are challenged along this route by rugged landscapes, broad unpopulated ranges, and a lack of potable water... follow this blog beginning January 4th and participate in the exploration of this historical path as a viable Pilgrim Camino to El Santuario. I anticipate this pilgrimage taking about 9 or 10 days, barring inclement winter weather. The original route of the Old Spanish Trail isn't marked, but I think the many dirt roads in the area will be evident enough to follow the path with a sense of accuracy. Several of the early settlements, notably Ignacio, Colorado and Abiquiu, New Mexico, still exist, and topography will surely dictate the comfortable way between them.
I'm not sure what opportunities will arise that will permit me to post frequent blogs, but I expect to be able to send in photos remotely -- as long as I can get a T-Mobile signal.
Purgatory, a mining stop during the early days when New Mexico became a territory, was not a stopover on the Old Spanish Trail, but lies a day's walk north of Durango, Colorado. Nonetheless, Purgatory seems to me to be a suitable starting point to explore a modern Pilgrim Camino to El Santuario.
Pilgrims then and now are challenged along this route by rugged landscapes, broad unpopulated ranges, and a lack of potable water... follow this blog beginning January 4th and participate in the exploration of this historical path as a viable Pilgrim Camino to El Santuario. I anticipate this pilgrimage taking about 9 or 10 days, barring inclement winter weather. The original route of the Old Spanish Trail isn't marked, but I think the many dirt roads in the area will be evident enough to follow the path with a sense of accuracy. Several of the early settlements, notably Ignacio, Colorado and Abiquiu, New Mexico, still exist, and topography will surely dictate the comfortable way between them.
I'm not sure what opportunities will arise that will permit me to post frequent blogs, but I expect to be able to send in photos remotely -- as long as I can get a T-Mobile signal.
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