The Chief Joseph Trail
The Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) lands were part of the Wallowa valley in Oregon. They fished and grazed their stock and yearly moved to parts of what are now Montana and Wyoming to fish, hunt, and trade. Following the discovery of gold and several broken treaties, the government ordered Chief Joseph’s tribe to relocate to a reservation.
Unwilling to give up their way of life and customs and hoping to avoid bloodshed, Joseph began what has been described as the greatest retreat in the country’s history. For three months, Chief Joseph led his people east trying to cross the Medicine Line into Canada to camp with Sitting Bull.
For months the Nez Perce deftly outmaneuvered and battled their pursuers. The Nez Perce continued to repel the Army’s advances, eventually uniting with another Nez Perce chief, Looking Glass, and his group.
The last battle of the Nez Perce War occurred 40 miles south of the Canadian border. Seeing his people exhausted, starving and freezing, Chief Joseph told his warriors that anyone wanting to continue to Canada should do so. The next day he surrendered to the army. In his speech he told them “From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”
Every year rides are available to follow the trail. They tend to cover around 25 miles each summer requiring multiple years to complete the entire trail. Some allow you to bring your own horse or you can lease a horse. In honor of the national horse of the Nez Perce, all rides should be Appaloosas.
What a great way to pay homage to these brave and resilient people.
The Alamo
Located in downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Misión San Antonio de Valero, was an early Spanish mission built to convert American tribes to Christianity. The mission complex included the now famous church and several outbuildings as well as a military outpost. Over the years the walls surrounding the compound had fallen into disrepair, leaving the Alamo virtually indefensible.
The Alamo itself held no strategic or military advantage. The value of the Alamo was in who held it. It was a symbol with deep significance and was passionately fought over by both Mexico and Texians in the yet to be created state of Texas.
The battle itself was between about 100 defenders, including David Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis and a force of 1,500 Mexicans led by President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The Mexicans laid siege to the Alamo and Santa Anna demanded surrender,
Travis wrote a letter addressed “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World.” In it he stated Santa Anna’s demand and writes ” I have answered the demand with a cannon shot & our flag still waves proudly from the walls – I shall never surrender or retreat.”
The outcome of the battle was never in doubt. The defenders were killed and Santa Anna took no prisoners, executing any who surrendered. Santa Anna’s cruelty and the battle loss became a symbol of the fight for the Texians. After the defeat, the battle cry “Remember the Alamo” solidified support for Texas independence.
After the battle, inexplicably, the site fell into disrepair. At one point it was used for storage and as a livestock pen. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas stepped in and preserved the site. In 1915 the Alamo became part of the National Park Service preserving its historical significance for future generations.
The National Park Service has developed a plan for significant enhancements to the site including a visitors center, restoration of the church and long barracks as well as a 24,000 foot exhibit of Alamo exhibits and collections.
Visiting the Alamo is a solemn event. Bullet holes from the battle can still be seen in the walls of the church. This country was founded on acts of courage, both big and small. Be courageous.