California 31st State

California

About half way between Riverside and San Diego lies the wine country of Temecula. A classmate of mine from Spain, who once lived and worked in that area, commented how similar this area felt to Spain. Early Spanish settlers who came through this area probably felt the familiarity as well. Temecula is famous for its vineyards and California wines.

But before the vineyards and the arrival of the Spanish and later the formation of the United States, this area was home to the Pala Band of Mission Indians . More correctly, this region was the home of distinct native tribes known as the Cupa and Luiseños. The story of how they became one, is a sad one, the Cupa call it their "Trail of Tears".

Caption: Greetings from Temecula, in the beautiful wine country of Riverside County, California. Photo © Jerry Hendricksen.