The Royal Road

In 1598 the conquistador Juan de Oñate led the first permanent European settlers to what would become the United States, traveling from Mexico along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the Royal Road of the Interior. In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of this arduous journey, the husband-and-wife author/photographer team of Douglas and Christine Preston, seasoned travelers on the Camino Real, invite us to join them as they journey by car and horseback and on foot along this ancient road, which began thousands of years ago as a series of Indian trails. Christine Preston's photos show wild places that have hardly changed over the centuries as well as churches, ruins, villages, and modern cityscapes. Douglas Preston's text chronicles the history of the road and its travelers. José Antonio Esquibel provides fascinating historical information on the pioneer settlers of New Mexico including the origins and genealogies of old New Mexico families from Abeyta to Zamora.