Paraje de San Diego facts for kids
Paraje de San Diego was an important camping spot in the desert of New Mexico. It was a safe place for travelers to rest and get ready for a very tough part of their journey called the Jornada del Muerto. This spot was located near the Rio Grande river.
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Paraje de San Diego: A Desert Stop
Where Was It?
Paraje de San Diego was about 5 leagues (which is about 13 miles or 21 kilometers) north of another resting place called Paraje de Robledo. It was also about "half a league" (around 1.3 miles or 2.1 kilometers) away from the Rio Grande river. Travelers used this spot to prepare for the long, dry trip through the Jornada del Muerto.
A Journey Through History
In 1760, a bishop named Pedro Tamarón y Romeral traveled through this area. He wrote about his journey and what he saw. On May 12, as his group left Robledo, they saw smoke in the nearby Doña Ana Mountains. This made them a little worried.
As they continued, they realized the smoke was from a forest fire. They found a black cross by the road. At its base was a deerskin bag with fresh meat and another deerskin. Their experienced guides explained that Apache people had left it there. This was a way for the Apache to show they wanted peace and to trade. The travelers left a knife, bread, and tobacco in exchange. Soon after, they saw two Native American riders watching from a distance.
Later that day, the group reached the start of the Jornada del Muerto. To get ready for this difficult part of the trip, they made a small detour to Paraje de San Diego. They spent the night there. They filled barrels with water from the river for everyone. The next morning, May 13, the horses drank from the river. After preparing all their food, they quickly left Paraje de San Diego.
The Long Road Ahead
On May 13, the bishop's group traveled 20 leagues (about 52 miles or 84 kilometers) until late at night. They stopped near the Sierra de Fray Cristóbal. After another 10-league journey on May 14, the bishop finally reached the Rio Grande again. This spot was called the Paraje de Fray Cristóbal, and it marked the end of the tough Jornada del Muerto section.
San Diego Today
Today, experts believe Paraje de San Diego was located on the high ground overlooking the Rincon Valley. It was north of San Diego Mountain, near Tonuco Draw, and southeast of the town of Rincon, New Mexico. When Bishop Tamarón wrote about it, the Rio Grande river must have flowed differently. It would have been closer to the bluffs where the camping spot was located.
