Ever driven past a historical site and thought... but why is this here? That's exactly the conversation we had about Fort Union National Monument in northeastern New Mexico — and we're not holding back!

Monica was our boots-on-the-ground explorer and Susan did the deep research dive, and together we take you through the full story of this FREE National Park Service site: the three forts built on the same spot, the Civil War battle that changed the West, the adobe ruins slowly melting back into the prairie, and the big question — should your tax dollars be protecting this place at all?

In this episode we cover:

✅ The story of THREE forts on one site — and why only two show up today

✅ Fort Union as "the Gettysburg of the West" — the Battle of Glorieta Pass

✅ Star forts — what they are and where else you can find them in the U.S.

✅ Monica's conversation with an NPS worker doing shelter coating on the adobe walls

✅ The Santa Fe Trail wagon ruts you can still see today

✅ The Buffalo Soldiers connection

✅ Fort Union vs. Fort Davis — a real comparison from two chicks who've been to both

✅ Why wives of enlisted men had to work the laundry (we have feelings about this 😤)

✅ The honest debate: is this a national monument worth keeping — or should New Mexico take it over?

✅ Dark sky park bonus — the stargazing case for visiting

We also reminisce about Susan's recent trip to Padre Island National Seashore and her two Junior Ranger badges — yes, two!

🎥 Check out our earlier virtual hike/overview video of Fort Union from when the government shutdown kept us out — link in the cards!

📍 Fort Union National Monument | Watrous, NM (Exit 366 off I-25)

💰 Admission: FREE | America the Beautiful Pass accepted

🐍 Stay on the trail — rattlesnakes are real out there!

☀️ No shade, no trees — bring water, a hat, and sunscreen

🌌 Dark Sky Park — incredible stargazing if you're in the area

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