Place Names

July 18th

I had two high passes today, one major ascent, and otherwise mostly waterless walking atop the Continental Divide. It was tough, glorious and just what I had hoped for from the CDT. 

Today I thought about how Amercan place names came about.  Early on, it seems like people in New England looked backwards. They named towns after the land they left: New York, New Hampshire, Georgetown.  

By the time Americans reached the midwest, they used more aspirational or idyllic names: Hope, Oak Park, Eden Prairie. 

However, when it came to the “real west” it seems people got very literal.  Silver City, South Pass, Boulder.

I kinda like the western way. For example, Anaconda was originally going to be named Copperopolis, reflecting it’s mineral heritage (until they learned another town had used the name).

Places are more vivid when they are called Cowbone Lake, Dead Horse Lake or Deadman’s Pass.

Sorry for the strange tangent, but it would not leave my mind today after I looked down the headwaters of Bloody Dick Creek.