I’ll bet some of you love Westerns, both books and movies. If so, the town of San Juan Bautista in CA along the old El Camino Real is a place to visit and geek out! Besides a Spanish mission, there’s an old hotel, the former adobe house of a Mexican general and livery stables with various coaches
Fun facts:
The Breen family from Ireland walked into town, the penniless survivors of the ill-fated Donner party pioneer crossing over the Sierras, but ended up bigwigs in local business (the parents and all eight of their children survived the tragic winter journey).
The term “Teamster” comes from stagecoach drivers, who drove the teams of horses. It took two full days to travel what now takes 4.5 hours by car.
The sign in the bar read: “The young bloods used to ride right in and sip their drinks from the saddle. They used to play billiards on horseback, too.”
You gotta love history! Though at times brutal, studying the subject is always fascinating!
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For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com.
SCATTERED LIGHT, a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT (Nov. 2025)
THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD a historical novel
BLISS ROAD, a memoir
WINTER LIGHT, a novel
THE WIND THIEF, a novel
GROWING GREAT CHARACTERS, a resource for writers
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