In 1769, Gaspar de Portolá led a Spanish expedition through California's coast. The route would become part of the famous El Camino Real.
Two hundred fifty years later, author Nick Neely was on a mission to retrace that route — on foot. He went on a 650-mile, 12-week trek from San Diego to San Francisco to learn more about a part of California history he knew little about.
Neely is sharing his experience in a new book, "Alta California: From San Diego to San Franciso, A Journey on Foot to Rediscover the Golden State," which weaves both the human and natural history of California.
Neely, who will be presenting his book at Warwick's on Thursday, joined Midday Edition on Wednesday to talk about the inspiration for the book and how this trek changed his view of his home state.
