Trespassers on Our Own Land Cover Picture

This picture is the cover picture for Trespassers on Our Own Land. It was part of the San Joaquin del Rio de Chama Grant which was granted by Spain to thirty-nine grantees in 1807. In the late 1800s the plane in the view (which continued some miles to the right of the picture) which was referred to as Canon de Chama during its existance, contained over a hundred homes with outbuildings, a school, a store and several small cemetaries. The acequias (irrigation ditches) used by the setters are still visible as one tours the area. Over three hundred heirs of the original grantees lived on this site at the time the Court of Private Land Claims took over ninety-nine percent of the 472,000 acres leaving only 1,400 acres for the settlers to survive upon. This view is a mile north of, and approximately ten miles west of the Ghost Ranch, within Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. It can be reached by taking U.S. 84 north from Espanola or south from Chama. Once one reaches the Chama river the road turns to the right and six or seven miles further you will come to the famous Christ in the Desert Monastary. Interesting websites in the area are: The Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center: www.ghostranch.org San Joaquin del Rio de Chama Land Grant. riodechamalandgrant.com Christ in the Desert Monastary: christdesert.org And for great lodging and food close to the area, I recommend the Abiquiu Inn: www.abiquiuinn.com