Absolutely! Here’s a rewritten version of the article, aiming for a more relaxed and conversational tone, while retaining all the key information and structure.
The Dominguez–Escalante Expedition: A Wild Ride Through the Old West
Okay, picture this: it’s 1776, the same year America’s declaring independence, but way out in the Spanish Southwest, a different kind of adventure is brewing. Two Franciscan friars, Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante, are gearing up for a seriously ambitious road trip. Their mission? To blaze a trail from Santa Fe, New Mexico, all the way to their mission in Monterey, California. Think of it as one of the last big "let’s see what’s out there" moments for the Spanish Crown in this part of the world.
Who Were These Guys?
Dominguez was the head honcho of the expedition, and Escalante was the brains behind the journal, meticulously scribbling down everything they saw and did. They also had Bernardo de Miera y Pacheco along for the ride. This guy was a total Renaissance man – army engineer, merchant, artist, you name it. His job was to map everything, which was no small feat considering they were heading into the unknown.
The Crew and the Goal
On July 29th, they saddled up with eight brave volunteers, horses, pack animals, and even some cattle. Their plan was to swing north of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, right through Comanche territory. Now, the Spanish had tangled with the Comanche before, and it wasn’t always pretty.
Instead of heading straight west, they ended up looping way up north, exploring huge chunks of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. These detours added months to their journey.
Documenting the Wild West
As they went, they wrote about everything: lush mountains, forests teeming with game, weird stone ruins that looked like ancient cities, and rivers that seemed to hint at hidden treasures.
The Supporting Cast
Here are a few more of the brave souls who signed up for this adventure:
- Don Juan Pedro Cisneros: The mayor of Zuni Pueblo
- Don Joaquín Lain: A Santa Fe local
- Lorenzo Olivares: From El Paso
- Andres Muniz: Their Ute language interpreter
- Lucrecio Muniz: Andres’s brother
- Juan de Aguilar: From Santa Clara, New Mexico
- Simon Lucero: A servant, possibly from Zuni
Roughing It
This was no luxury tour. They didn’t have many weapons, and the Ute Indians they met early on warned them they’d need more as they got further out.
Their first night was at the Santa Clara Pueblo, north of Santa Fe. Then it was on to Santa Rosa de Abiquiu Pueblo, and then north-northwest toward present-day Dulce, New Mexico. They started naming landmarks as they went. They entered Colorado through Arboles, Ignacio, Durango, and Hesperus. On August 10, they camped at the base of the La Plata Mountains, near what is now Mesa Verde National Park. Dominguez and Escalante were the first Europeans to find and record the ancient Puebloan ruins in southwestern Colorado.
Meeting the Locals
They crossed the Dolores River several times and met two Native American slaves, called Genízaro and Coyote, who joined their group.
Seeking Guidance
As they pushed further northwest, the land got drier, the canyons got rougher, and they realized they needed some help. They went looking for Ute Indians to guide them.
They met a Ute tribesman where the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers meet. After camping on a tributary of the San Miguel River, they traveled through the Uncompahgre National Forest onto the Uncompahgre Plateau, eventually meeting a Ute chief near Montrose. They learned about the Timpanogo Ute and headed northwest toward modern-day Hotchkiss.
A Change of Horses (and Guides)
Near Bowie, they met 80 Timpanogo Ute men on horseback. After some preaching from Father Dominguez (translated by Andres Muniz), the Ute warned them about the Comanche and the potential blame if anything happened to the expedition. Muniz and his brother Lucrecio traded goods for guns, violating the expedition’s agreement and spiritual purpose.
They traded their horses for fresh ones and hired two guides: "Silvestre" (named after Silvestre Escalante) and a boy named "Joaquín."
Silvestre, from present-day Utah, was the main Native guide from Colorado to Utah. His connections ensured safe passage.
Through Colorado’s Wilds
The expedition crossed the Grand Mesa National Forest to the south side of Battlement Mesa. They crossed the Colorado River at Una and met some Ute who helped them decide on the best route. They learned that the Comanche had moved east.
They entered Rio Blanco County, Colorado, after traveling north and west through Canyon Pintado, just south of Rangely. They crossed the White River just east of Rangely, and the terrain became flatter.
Into Utah
In mid-September 1776, they reached the area of Dinosaur National Monument, killing a bison near the Yampa Plateau. They followed Cliff Creek, noting Blue Mountain and Musketshot Springs. They were impressed by the Green River, which they named the San Buenaventura, and camped near a big stand of cottonwoods where someone carved "Year of 1776."
Utah Valley and the Timpanogos
The party continued into the Uinta Basin of Utah, passing through Jensen, Roosevelt, Duchesne, and Myton. They arrived in Utah Valley, met friendly Ute, and promised to return within a year to settle and preach.
They reached Utah Lake, near Salt Lake City, on September 23, guided by Native American information.
Silvestre and Joaquín adorned themselves with gifts before entering their village. They entered the Utah Lake Valley and the lake they called the Lake of the Timpanogos Tribe.
A Warm Welcome (and a Warning)
Dominguez, Muniz, Silvestre, and Joaquín traveled to a Native American village on the Provo River, where they were initially met with weapons but then embraced when Silvestre was recognized. They met Chief Turunianchi, who was shocked they’d made it through Comanche territory safely. They explained their mission.
Time to Turn Back?
Running low on supplies and with winter coming, they drew lots to decide whether to continue to Monterrey or head back to Santa Fe. They reluctantly decided to turn back.
Dominguez asked for another guide, and Joaquín and a 12-year-old boy named Jose María stepped up. They gave gifts to the tribe and received dried fish for their journey.
Homeward Bound (Sort Of)
They left Silvestre’s village near Spanish Fork on September 25 and traveled southwest, camping near Springville, Payson, Starr, Levan, and Scipio. They met several small groups of friendly Native Americans.
After Scipio, finding pasture and water became difficult. Jose María abandoned them after seeing a servant punished, leaving them without a guide. Joaquín continued to help them. They traveled south along Ash Creek to its confluence with the Virgin River, near Hurricane, in Washington County. They camped atop Sand Mountain and traveled south along Fort Pearce Wash.
Arizona and the Crossing of the Fathers
By October 22, they reached the Paria River. As they crossed Arizona, they faced illness, lack of water, and dwindling supplies.
Local Native Americans guided them to Lees Ferry, but it was too difficult to cross. They were led to a second ford of the Colorado River, where they carved steps into the canyon wall.
On November 7, 1776, they crossed the Colorado River at a spot now called the Crossing of the Fathers, now submerged beneath Lake Powell.
Survival and Return
To survive, they ate many of their horses. They visited Hopi and Zuni villages, who generously gave them supplies. They eventually headed north along the Rio Grande River to Santa Fe.
After traveling over 2,000 miles in six months, they arrived in Santa Fe on January 2, 1777.
Joaquín was baptized in the Catholic Church upon returning to Santa Fe.
Aftermath
Dominguez’s critical report of the New Mexico missions led to his assignment to a remote post in northern Mexico. He died between 1803 and 1805.
Escalante died on April 30, 1780, in Parral, Mexico, while returning to Mexico City for medical treatment.
Legacy
Even though they didn’t make it to Monterrey, the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition mapped huge areas of the American West, paving the way for future exploration and trade. Lewis and Clark used their maps and journals in 1803. The Old Spanish Trail, a trade route from Santa Fe to Salt Lake Valley, was one of the routes they helped pioneer. It’s now a National Historic Trail.
Hopefully, this version is a bit more fun to read!