Discovering America Podcast

The grand lifestyle that was now de Soto's back in Spain. Was this enough? No!!! Florida was his for the taking. The preparations begin and the gallant men who sign up for a piece of the action. All aboard let's go...

A continuation of the story of de Soto's friend Codro and his fate, and finishes with de Soto's participation in the conquest of Peru.

The beginnings of a Spanish conquistador named Ferdinand de Soto, where he came from and the hardships he had to endure.

The highlights on what the armies had seen and what happened after Coronado's accident. There was no more wind in the sails. Ending this expedition was not what they wanted to do but, after all that had happened, it was time. So with the sand in their pockets, they headed for home.

The armies of Coronado continue discovering the many pueblos along their path. Especially the "Rock of Acuco, the oldest inhabited city on the North American continent.

The armies of Coronado exploring the landscape of New Mexico and seeing buffalo for the first time. It was during this part of the expedition that the Spanish army fought the Indians at Tiguex and then tried to make peace with them during the winter months with little success. Does anybody out here have a road map?

Captain Diaz and his men camped along the Colorado River. Coronado and his company headed for Cibola. Coronado ordered Don Garcia Lopez de Cardenas to investigate a river to the northwest, another section of the Colorado River. The amazement that must have captivated Diaz, Cardenas and their men by seeing the Grand Canyon and the immense space and beauty of this area for the first time, O wait these places were a disappointment and an end to their travels in that direction.

Starting with travels of the Franciscan Monk, Fray Marcos of Nizza, who may have stretched the truth on what he found. Francisco Vázquez de Coronado would be sent to follow up on Marcos' reports, the discovery of the spectacular "Seven Cities". Here begins the adventure …

This episode finishes the travels of the four remaining men that took over eight to years to complete and the many villages and Indians they met along the way. Vaca would speak against the Spanish slave trade and may have gotten him into trouble in his later years. The return of these four men with their stories would prompt others with a desire to prepare for further exploration to uncover the truth about the fabled "Seven Cites".

The continuation of the men that remained alive. Two groups of Spaniards either became too sick and passed away or were killed by the Indians. Lope de Oviedo would stay with the Indians and take his chances. Fourteen remained but were scattered among the different tribes. And then there were four, Andres Dorantes, Alonso del Castillo and the africain slave, Estevanico, who would travel among the Indian tribes of the land, here comes the Spanish celebrities.