Out on the prairie

This is Sand Creek, of massacre notoriety. I called in at the National Historic Site in Colorado on my way back to base. There was a cold wind blowing, so a brisk walk to view the site.
The natural trees in Sand Creek indicate the presence of reliable water not far below ground, as most of the prairie is treeless. The trees are just coming into leaf. This was a campsite used by native Americans, but in 1864 it was the site of mass slaughter by the American Military.