Beginning with the arrival of the Europeans in the New World and the invasion of the Caribbean, this volume traces the expansion of Catholicism into New Spain. It devotes special attention to the history of the Catholic faith and institutions among the Pueblo peoples of New Mexico.

Named for the Spanish padres who established a network of missions along California's southern and central coasts, the Los Padres National Forest is the second-largest National Forest in the state, encompassing approximately 1,950,000 acres - nearly half of which is federally-designated wilderness. Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara and Ventura fills a huge gap in coverage of this great hiking and backpacking destination, leading the reader through the varied terrain of the forest's southern districts, from the fern-clad grottoes of the Santa Barbara frontcountry to the sweeping vistas and granite-clad ridges of the Chumash Wilderness.No other guide covers the region in such detail, and not since Dennis Gagnon's near-legendary guides in the 70s and 80s has the Santa Barbara (and Ventura) backcountry been given the guidebook treatment ... but this book goes even further. Every official trail (and many use trails) in the Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Mt. Pinos districts are covered here, including those in the southern San Rafael Wilderness, Dick Smith Wilderness, Matilija Wilderness, Sespe Wilderness, Chumash Wilderness, the Santa Ynez Recreation Area, Rose Valley, the Santa Barbara and Montecito frontcountry, the Ojai frontcountry, and the Santa Paula/Fillmore frontcountry.

• 125 of the best trails throughout the Los Angeles metro area • Easy-to-use, well-organized guide to hiking in the greater Los Angeles area • Hikes feature ocean views, waterfalls, coastal canyons, native grasslands, rocky peaks, desert wildflowers, and more In Southern California, the city of Los Angeles alone covers more than 500 square miles. Yet beyond the freeways and suburbia, there is a surprising amount of hikeable green space and wilderness. This new guide details trails in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the world’s largest urban national park stretching from the Pacific Coast right into Hollywood itself; the Santa Susana Mountains in Los Padres National Forest; Angeles National Forest, including the San Gabriels and Mount San Antonio, the highest point in Los Angeles County; the striking desert landscape of Antelope Valley; the Santa Ana Mountains; portions of the San Bernardino Mountains; Chino Hills State Park; and slivers of green space and city parks such as famed Griffith Park.

The first part of this two-volume work on the forms of Native American Catholicism during the last five centuries traces the spread of New Spain's Catholic institutions to Florida, Northern Mexico, and the US Southwest. It follows the heritage of French Catholicism among the Eastern Algonkians of Acadia and New England, and particularly the Passamaquoddies of Maine, from the 17th century to the present. The central figure in the narrative is Kateri Tekakwitha, the renowned Mohawk convert of the late 17th century. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Jump-start curiosity with this take-along field guide for children ages 4 and up. From worms, birds, and spiders to trees, flowers, and clouds, young explorers learn what to look and listen for wherever they are — whether in a nature preserve, an urban park, or a suburban backyard. Seek-and-find lists, on-the-trail art projects, and discovery games get kids engaged in hands-on learning about nature, and a real pull-out magnifying glass helps them get a close-up glimpse of leaf veins, seed pods, and tiny insects. Filled with activities, checklists, and stickers, this interactive nature guide belongs in every kid’s backpack.

Vecsey, a professor of religion and Native American studies at Colgate University, concludes his trilogy on Native American Catholicism with a study of how Indian Catholics have tried to follow the route of two separate traditions, each with its own expectations and identities. He examines the lives of American Indian Catholics who have been leaders in their communities and in the Church and considers how these men and women have brought together their Indian and Catholic identities to accomplish a cultural and religious syncretism within themselves.

Multi-Use Trail Book is a hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding book for Los Angeles and Ventura. This trail book has everything you need to know before heading out on the trail including parking for cars and trailers, entrance fees, water, restrooms, directions, mileage, elevation, photos, and terrain conditions. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding areas covered include Agoura, Calabasas, Malibu, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Santa Rosa Valley, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Topanga, West Hills and Westlake Village.

Beginning with the arrival of the Europeans in the New World and the invasion of the Caribbean, this volume traces the expansion of Catholicism into New Spain. It devotes special attention to the history of the Catholic faith and institutions among the Pueblo peoples of New Mexico.

The story of early Spanish explorations and settlements in California.