Life in the Open; Sport with Rod, Gun, Horse, and Hound in Southern California (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1906. Excerpt: ... Chapter XIII El Camino Real (Coaching or Automobiling) LOS ANGELES was the starting-point, the centre of radiation for many of our coaching and riding trips to Santa Barbara and beyond 'and through Southern California to the adobes of Tia Juana. To see Southern California effectively the trip should be made by coach, motor-car, carriage, or on horseback. Excellent roads extend all over the country, inviting one to the old ranches, canons, ruins, and Missions which cannot be seen from car windows. It was a mere conceit, perhaps, but remembering that in the olden time pilgrims and travellers in this fair country found a Mission at the end of nearly every day's journey from San Francisco to San Diego and be yond, along El Camino Real, the King's Highway, we determined to emulate the ancient custom and go over the old roads; not on horseback, as did the old Californian, but in a four-in-hand, making as nearly as possible a Mission every night, seeking the hospitality of its secularised walls in reverential fashion, as did the traveller of the last century, yet receiving it for obvious reasons, perchance, at the neighbouring inn. The plan had not only an essence of romance and novelty to commend it, but was within the possibilities, the ecclesiastical chain being as follows, beginning at Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Mission, founded in 1786, by coach to the Mission of San Buenaventura (1783). From San Buenaventura to Mission of San Fernando (1797), then to the Mission of San Gabriel Archangel (1771). From San Gabriel to San Juan Capistrano (1776). From San Juan to the trio of Missions of Pala, Rincon, and Pauma. Pala to San Luis Rey de Francia (1798). San Luis Rey to the Mission of San Diego de Acala (1769). Not only could these Missions be reached in a single day's journey, but inns or ...