Ego Driven Films
Ego Driven Films
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The ISLAND OF CALIFORNIA ... WHAT? - Etymology of California
Etymology of California
The story of how California got its name is more wild than you might think. I definitely had no idea of its origins...
What if I where to tell you that the state of California got it’s name from a fantasy novel, like Lord Of The RIngs, in which a race of beautiful, fierce, black warrior women, lived on a garden of eden-like island where they rode Griffins, fantastical lion-eagle hybrids, which the women kept as pets. And any man who found his way onto this island was killed and fed to these mythical beasts.?
Would you believe me?
No. I probably wouldn’t either.
But this is, in fact, the truth.
This fantasy novel full of such romance and adventure is called “Las Sergas De Esplandian”, (The Adventures of Esplandian). It was written by Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo and was the Lord Of The Rings of the 16th Century. The leader of these Amazonian woman was Queen Califia (Califia meaning Female Leader) and the enchanted mythical island they inhabited, named after her, was called California.
Not only was this island inhabited by beautiful woman and strange creatures, it was also full of gold. In fact, it was the only metal they had.
Montalvo described it as follows:
"Know that, on the right hand of the Indies was an island called California, very near to the region of the Terrestrial Paradise, which was populated by black women, without there being any men among them, that almost like the Amazons was their style of living. They were of vigorous bodies and strong and ardent hearts and of great strength; the island itself the strongest in steep rocks and cliff boulders that is found in the world; their arms were all of gold, and also the harnesses of the wild beasts, on which, after having tamed them, they rode; that in all the island there was no other metal whatsoever…"
“There ruled on that island of California, a queen great of body, very beautiful for her race, at a flourishing age, desirous in her thoughts of achieving great things, valiant in strength, cunning in her brave heart, more than any other who had ruled that kingdom before her ... Queen Calafia."
So, such stories of a secret island full of women and gold were fresh in the mind of Spanish explorers as they set sail in search of new lands out west.
When they laid eyes on the coast of the Baja Peninsula, with visions of the storied island forever dancing in their minds, they mistook it for a great island and naturally called it, California.
Sure, it was soon found out that their great island was actually a peninsula and there were no race of gold adorned Amazonian women riding Griffins through the skies, and a good thing, too, for these men seeing as they surely would have made fast meals for the Griffins.
Yet the name California had already been used on maps, so the name stuck.
Little did these early explores know that this new found land actually contained one element from the stories, vast amounts of gold, that wouldn’t be discovered until much later.
So if you think that the stereotype of California being full of a bunch of beautiful women and the hills being full of gold is a modern creation, think again. It goes back hundreds of years to the age of exploration and the stories those eager explores shared.
Переглядів: 67

Відео

Largest Vineyard in the World in Fresno? Maltermoro, California.
Переглядів 1362 місяці тому
A little forgotten history I stumbled upon accidentally. HOPE you enjoy it. ST. GEORGE WINERY - MALTERMORO, FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA When one thinks of wine they rarely think of Fresno, California. But in a bygone era some of the largest and most productive wineries and distilleries of California, possibly the world, called Fresno County their home. The biggest by far was the St. George Vineya...
Alaska: A Modern Frontier - by Coronet Instructional Films (1948)
Переглядів 1682 місяці тому
Found on Internet Archive Alaska: A Modern Frontier (Revised) by Coronet Instructional Films (1948) PROVIDES SCENES OF ALASKA'S GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES, PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES & METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION. SHOWS FAIRBANKS, BUT NOT ANCHORAGE. MAPS SHOW STRATEGIC POSITION OF ALASKA.
California History Video - Life in the Central Valley of California, 1949
Переглядів 1012 місяці тому
Video from Internet Archives by Coronet Instructional Films (1949) SHOWS MAN'S CONQUEST OF NATURE BY PROVIDING WATER FOR THE NATURALLY FERTILE SOIL OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. PICTURES THE ABUNDANCE OF CROPS BEING PRODUCED THERE. CALIFORNIA CROPS FARMS FARMING FARMERS FOOD FIELDS SOIL. SAN JOAQUIN RIVER
The 1st CAR in YOSEMITE - Yosemite's Yesterdays (Hank Johnston)
Переглядів 1332 місяці тому
The 1st CAR in YOSEMITE. Quotes and photos from the book Yosemite's Yesterdays (Hank Johnston). Follow me through the pages of time as we travel back to explore Yosemite Yesterdays. THE AUTOMOBILE COMES TO YOSEMITE Yosemite national Park was established on October 1, 1890. The first motor vehicle to enter Yosemite Valley, however, didn’t arrive until June 23, 1900. The car was a brand new Locom...
The Wild True Story of Huntington Lake and the Big Creek Hydroelectric Project.
Переглядів 2,5 тис.Рік тому
The Story of Huntington Lake, Big Creek Hydroelectric Project. I love local history!!! I don't know when this is from but it is another cool video about the San Joaquin River and the Big Creek Hydroelectric Project. Written, Produced and Directed by Dave Parker Narrated by John Harlan and Dave Parker
LOS ANGELES STEALS its POWER! Big Creek Hydro-Project. The Hardest Working Water in the World.
Переглядів 1,5 тис.Рік тому
How Los Angeles gets its power! Big Creek Hydroelectric Project, San Joaquin River, California History. Southern California Edison. The Hardest Working Water in the World. c1986 This is a cool old history video about the San Joaquin River and the Big Creek Hydroelectric facility in the Sierras some 56 miles NE of Fresno. The Big Creek Hydroelectric facility provides the lion-share of power for ...
DRONE FLYING - DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DJI MAVIC 2 ZOOM
Переглядів 3692 роки тому
Flying the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom around Downtown Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on a crisp autumn afternoon. Flying over the Allegheny River, along Downtown to the point and 3 River's Stadium, named after the three rivers which intersect here, the Allegheny River, Ohio River and Monongahela River.
STURGIS BIKER RALLY During COVID - IRON HORSE SALOON
Переглядів 8182 роки тому
Today I find myself in Sturgis, SD putting on a show at the Iron Horse Saloon during the week annual long biker rally. I take a few minutes out of my otherwise busy day to walk around town before it gets too crazy with people.
Another of California's Hidden Gems KINGS CANYON camping #VANLIFE
Переглядів 8302 роки тому
Day two in Kings Canyon National Park. Waking up to a fresh, post-rain, kind of morning, a little coffee and some beautiful surroundings. Off up and out of the canyon to Grant Grove to see the big trees, Grants Tree, John Muir Lodge and camping overnight among them trees at the Azalea Campground
Better than Yosemite? Kings River - KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK - Hume Lake - Sentinel Campground
Переглядів 1,7 тис.2 роки тому
Today I head up, east of Fresno, into the Sierra Mountains to Kings Canyon National Park. Of course I have my National Parks Pass so entry is free. I check out the Visitor's Center Area of Grant Grove then off down toward the canyon itself. I take a slight detour along the way to visit Hume Lake and then it's down, down, down, into the great canyon. Following the Kings River I make my way to Bo...
JAMESTOWN, CALIFORNIA - RAIL TOWN 1897 STATE HISTORIC PARK - Steam Train Ride Experience #VANLIFE
Переглядів 3,6 тис.2 роки тому
That's right! Today I'm in my element visiting the Jamestown Rail Town 1897 State Historic Park and we have tickets for the 12:00pm steam engine locomotive train ride experience. This is not only a historic train, it is also quite famous whether you realize it or not, you've probably seen it featured in television and motion pictures alike, like in Back to the Future III for example, most of th...
SIERRA FOOTHILLS - Jackson, San Andreas, New Melones Lake & Sonora, California #vanlife
Переглядів 7 тис.2 роки тому
Today we're heading south through the Sierra Foothills on HWy 49 toward the town of Sonora, California. Along the way we'll pass through the towns of Jackson, San Andreas and check out the New Melones Lake, lots of drone fun including a flyover of Sonora itself.
Guided tour of a hidden gem in VOCANO, CA - BLACK CHASM CAVERN - SUTTER CREEK, CA - #vanlife
Переглядів 1,7 тис.2 роки тому
Guided tour of a hidden gem in VOCANO, CA - BLACK CHASM CAVERN - SUTTER CREEK, CA - #vanlife
San Antonio, Texas - The Alamo - Riverwalk - NO IS NOT AN OPTION
Переглядів 3783 роки тому
San Antonio, Texas - The Alamo - Riverwalk - NO IS NOT AN OPTION
DESTIN, Florida, the “Redneck Riviera” - #getoutthere #travel
Переглядів 2 тис.3 роки тому
DESTIN, Florida, the “Redneck Riviera” - #getoutthere #travel
BEAVER DAM,, WISCONSIN - EST. 1841 - WISCONSIN RAILROAD CABOOSE - CHILI JOHN'S HANBURGERS
Переглядів 8 тис.3 роки тому
BEAVER DAM,, WISCONSIN - EST. 1841 - WISCONSIN RAILROAD CABOOSE - CHILI JOHN'S HANBURGERS
BLARNEY ISLAND - Antioch, Illinois - we are on Island time, time to party!
Переглядів 2 тис.3 роки тому
BLARNEY ISLAND - Antioch, Illinois - we are on Island time, time to party!
Flying to Knoxville Tennessee and settling into my new home for a while, TOURBUS LIFE IS HERE!
Переглядів 3383 роки тому
Flying to Knoxville Tennessee and settling into my new home for a while, TOURBUS LIFE IS HERE!
Last Day with my 1996 Dodge Ram van - Airport Purgatory Ensues - Stuck in Denver
Переглядів 4823 роки тому
Last Day with my 1996 Dodge Ram van - Airport Purgatory Ensues - Stuck in Denver
#VANLIFE - RV Living in a VAN - 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 1996 Dodge Ram VAN 2500 - #VANTOUR - SOLO MALE
Переглядів 1,5 тис.3 роки тому
#VANLIFE - RV Living in a VAN - 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 1996 Dodge Ram VAN 2500 - #VANTOUR - SOLO MALE
The Importance of Supporting & Preserving Local History- City of Tracy vs The Great Plate- #vanlife
Переглядів 1863 роки тому
The Importance of Supporting & Preserving Local History- City of Tracy vs The Great Plate- #vanlife
THE HIDDEN GEM OF Pittsburg, CA - History Museum - Black Diamond Mine #vanlife pittsburgmuseum.org
Переглядів 2,1 тис.3 роки тому
THE HIDDEN GEM OF Pittsburg, CA - History Museum - Black Diamond Mine #vanlife pittsburgmuseum.org
Summer is Here - Central Valley Heat &The Importance of Local History - solo male #vanlife
Переглядів 2423 роки тому
Summer is Here - Central Valley Heat &The Importance of Local History - solo male #vanlife
Personal VLOG DRONE CHALLENGE 100% drone footage - #vanlife Vlog shot entirely with DJI MAVIC 2 ZOOM
Переглядів 1683 роки тому
Personal VLOG DRONE CHALLENGE 100% drone footage - #vanlife Vlog shot entirely with DJI MAVIC 2 ZOOM

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @ryansell
    @ryansell 6 днів тому

    Great history lesson!🤩👏

  • @johngassett1946
    @johngassett1946 7 днів тому

    The McDonald's caught fire and Will be rebuilt

  • @vernonsteinkamp1088
    @vernonsteinkamp1088 10 днів тому

    My grandparents settled in the Tracy area after esxaping the 1906 SF earthquake. My uncle was a fireman at that firehouse. My sister lived in the house right behind the firehouse. As a sign painter, I made signs all over Tracy. I also worked at the Tracy Inn as a night clerk. Talking about room rates, the owner advertised special rates for truckers but that was bogus. They got the same rate as everyone else. I used to operate the switchboard there. I also played in bands and did a photo op next to the pool at the Tracy Inn. My grandmother lived on 11th Street which was the main drag back then. As kids, we would watch the nice cars drive back and forth.

  • @BadIdeaDan
    @BadIdeaDan 24 дні тому

    I love the Banta Inn! I have never been someone that believes in the paranormal, at least as far as them making themselves known to us here on earth. But, over the years I’ve seen many interesting things at that place! Doors have flown open and closed, lights have dimmed and then come back to life during interesting conversations… the bartenders and waitresses all have their own stories too. I’m not going to comment on that further except to say I love this place- the people are amazing and their service and food, and drinks are fantastic. My family and I have been a patron for over 27 years and we will continue that. I love our shared history in Tracy and Banta. I just recently discovered this video, thank you for posting it.

  • @MonaGalvan
    @MonaGalvan Місяць тому

    I live in tracy calafornya that place is next to a Mexican shop

  • @wetpuet
    @wetpuet Місяць тому

    I love how your buddy keeps puffing on his stizzy 😮‍💨👍

  • @jarridb4040
    @jarridb4040 Місяць тому

    I moved to Tracy in 2014 lol

  • @SeventhTrump-kp5bu
    @SeventhTrump-kp5bu Місяць тому

    Age of Exploration, i.e. Anglo Saxon Colonial Voyagers... hahaha!

  • @photographybya7602
    @photographybya7602 Місяць тому

    I consistently enjoy the music you add to your videos.

  • @derianteran
    @derianteran Місяць тому

    Excellent! I have a question Is your truck 6 or 8 cylinders? How many kilometers do they travel per liter?

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms Місяць тому

      I'm not sure, 6 I think, I get around 10 miles to the gallon around town driving, more like 15 mpg on highways. Not the most fuel efficient, that's for sure.

  • @jessicanoory2856
    @jessicanoory2856 Місяць тому

    I grew up helping at the ranch within the white fence. Clint was the owner and I spent a lot of time picking up walnuts from their trees.

  • @onepercentpermile
    @onepercentpermile Місяць тому

    Ha ha! Great video Greg. You put a smile on my face! 😊

  • @bobwebb1580
    @bobwebb1580 2 місяці тому

    Great video Gregg 😁

  • @AndrewGar-mj4do
    @AndrewGar-mj4do 2 місяці тому

    My school

  • @doncheeto8549
    @doncheeto8549 2 місяці тому

    That’s cool bro

  • @rrocketwhite
    @rrocketwhite 2 місяці тому

    I've been in Turlock all my life. Since 1948. Population was around 4,000 about that time. I remember when I would go to the city and tell people I live in Turlock.. they would say, Wow, you live way out there in the boonies.. It was a pretty nice, peaceful place. Main Street was the only real attraction around at that time. Mostly trees and farms everywhere. It's amazing to see all the earth that has been replaced by houses and buildings.

  • @onepercentpermile
    @onepercentpermile 2 місяці тому

    I LOVE ❤️ these old films! Where are you finding them?

  • @onepercentpermile
    @onepercentpermile 2 місяці тому

    Great video Greg! I especially liked the part where apricots were laid out on wooden drying trays, and then the trays were stacked up. The Dakin sawmill at Shaver Crossing was a tray mill. It would be good to take a snapshot of that photo for our SJ&ERR timeline! ❤😊🎉

  • @cathysueneeleygillam136
    @cathysueneeleygillam136 2 місяці тому

    My Dad Larry Neeley and Uncle Bobby ran Bobby's Truck stop on old hwy 50. Great memories playing out at the Truck Stop when we were kids. They both passed on now. My Step Mother was Rose Lewis that worked at the Copper Cat for many years across the street from Tracy High. Good memories of Speedy's to. Good times

  • @burningblueskies2266
    @burningblueskies2266 2 місяці тому

    Miss your videos and your random campouts. Will you ever get back to it?

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms 2 місяці тому

      Thanks. Hopefully soon I can get back out there.

  • @user-fu3tf3fg7e
    @user-fu3tf3fg7e 2 місяці тому

    Just wired Eastwood powerhouse. We were there for 6 months.

  • @mattbailey9396
    @mattbailey9396 2 місяці тому

    Good stuff!! 👍

  • @doncheeto8549
    @doncheeto8549 2 місяці тому

    More videos please brother, where’s the van?

  • @onepercentpermile
    @onepercentpermile 2 місяці тому

    FANTASTIC! 🎉🎉🎉

  • @TheSdrake1967
    @TheSdrake1967 2 місяці тому

    I remember when that restaurant was called Track 29. It wasTHE place to take your prom date in the mid 80's

  • @ericwofford1896
    @ericwofford1896 2 місяці тому

    Ahhh, the Grand (Apartments) theater - I remember buying weed from a Mexican video store in the mid 90s at the bottom of that block and going up to a studio apartment in the 2nd story of the Grand and getting stoned as a teengaer in high school. Mariachi music blaring out of the adjacent units. lol Good times

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms 2 місяці тому

      Sounds about right. Good times.

    • @ericwofford1896
      @ericwofford1896 2 місяці тому

      @EgoDrivenFilms Yeah, that said it's nice to know it looks like they turned it back into a movie theater. Back in the day it was a haven for gangsters, tweakers and the like. In retrospect it's kind of humorous that a 15 year old white kid like me would walk into that "video store" downstairs that only had about 10 titles on the shelves, go in the back and buy 8ths of weed from a Mexican gangster that had several guys in cowboy hats hangin out in the front just keeping watch. Was kind of a hangout for em where they would flip zips and smaller amounts out of to whomever would walk in and knew what was really up there.

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms 2 місяці тому

      That's how I remember that area, too, from High School days, mid-90s. There was a Mexican convenience store on the corner would sell you beer. If you were trippin on acid in '94, you're welcome, lol.

    • @ericwofford1896
      @ericwofford1896 2 місяці тому

      @@EgoDrivenFilms Oh yeah...Westside Market....they were selling me beer at 13 lol

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms 2 місяці тому

      Yep, that's the spot. Good old days!

  • @JohnGee559
    @JohnGee559 3 місяці тому

    Need more videos please even if the same pine flat shaver Huntington chonumbni

  • @lendygomez
    @lendygomez 3 місяці тому

    I went to school with Darren Erskin and his buddy Eric Brazil

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms 3 місяці тому

      Wow, those names bring back memories, LOL, good times!

  • @francaniilista
    @francaniilista 3 місяці тому

    Thank you for your video Sr. that was very helpful. I've been to the summit twice, but never stopped for camping. I'm planning to camp with my daughters at Mount Diablo in July. Just watching some footage and your video helped me a lot. Cheers from Pleasanton

  • @katherineraquelle1930
    @katherineraquelle1930 3 місяці тому

    I grew here for two decades.. lots of pain and trauma here throughout my childhood 😊 I call it the “El Paso, Texas” of California 😊 I’m referring to the infamous Nightstalker..

  • @shirtshine73blitz
    @shirtshine73blitz 3 місяці тому

    The music is awful and showing the souvineer shop is no help at all.

  • @sda141
    @sda141 3 місяці тому

    I love it! Tracy native here. I live in Pennsylvania now. It’s great to see my home town

  • @reneenordeen9447
    @reneenordeen9447 3 місяці тому

    Beaver Dam is my hometown and both my Mom and Dads side of the family has been in BD, since the 1850s. Fred McMurray was my Grandpa Emerson Grebels 2nd (?) cousin, if Im not mistaken. Im in Waupun now, been here for 14 yrs. 15:56

  • @sda141
    @sda141 3 місяці тому

    My Dad just celebrated his 83 birthday & had dinner there. 💕

  • @rimmerableful
    @rimmerableful 3 місяці тому

    Hello thanks for the video, tour and advice. I am a fellow van owner 1997, Dodge Ram Wagon, looks identical to yours, with the exception of double doors in the rear..... And a cat!

  • @TheLifePhoenix
    @TheLifePhoenix 3 місяці тому

    Open air bear garden? Just like the culture vultures at the American canyon ruins. Weak

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms 3 місяці тому

      doubt that will ever happen, we'll see...

  • @DansDieselPerformance
    @DansDieselPerformance 4 місяці тому

    You should do a vlog of the keddie murders that took place in plumas county California.

  • @lak12765
    @lak12765 5 місяців тому

    It’s turn again arm, lol!

  • @robertboudreauxxx
    @robertboudreauxxx 5 місяців тому

    There was tunnels that went to the courthouse. Across the street was a lady of the evenings house. The judge used to have girls go to the courthouse and blow him.

  • @stinker43
    @stinker43 5 місяців тому

    It's cor-rall hollow. As in "Gunfight at the OK Corral". There is no "coral" in CA, but there are a lot of "corrals". Bricks with the stamp "Carnegie" are worth a lot of bucks!

  • @bitchithoughtunew9449
    @bitchithoughtunew9449 6 місяців тому

    I used to live right down the street. Never seen anything funny there. Did see a really nasty accident right there on the tracks in front of the banta inn. But the nasty part was tr damage done to a black truck..th drive was ok .thank you Jesus.❤

  • @rtreed77
    @rtreed77 6 місяців тому

    It’s all burned up now

  • @carolinehannah3283
    @carolinehannah3283 7 місяців тому

    Hi Gregg do you still have this van and are you still doing vanlife?

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms 3 місяці тому

      Not able to be full time anymore. Still camping in the van when I can. Thanks for watching.

  • @Lionessbubblegum
    @Lionessbubblegum 8 місяців тому

    Please make more videos I have a 97 and I’m doing vanlife I love learning new tricks and just see other fellow vanlifers.😊

  • @robertgonzalez8419
    @robertgonzalez8419 8 місяців тому

    This area is now my new home we moved from New Jersey and moved to the Prather area thinking I was going to Tennessee but God had other plans for us it is a beautiful area

  • @nickfish629
    @nickfish629 8 місяців тому

    Imagine the coins around town in the areas of no concrete..

  • @j.d.contreras392
    @j.d.contreras392 8 місяців тому

    I grew up in Tracy and this place is NOT haunted. Nothing happens here and it's very boring. TRUST ME. IT'S BORING and I'm 45 years old.

    • @EgoDrivenFilms
      @EgoDrivenFilms 8 місяців тому

      May not be haunted but Weird Stuff definitely goes on there, haha

    • @gamingspartan5917
      @gamingspartan5917 4 місяці тому

      @@EgoDrivenFilmsEven if it is is sure they’re chill, central valley ghost yk.

    • @modestoca25
      @modestoca25 4 місяці тому

      It is haunted it's just not super haunted. I investigated a farm down the road from Banta Inn and that was very haunted poltergeist. There's another old haunted saloon east of Manteca...I forget the name...

    • @modestoca25
      @modestoca25 4 місяці тому

      Oh ya Finley's it's haunted too, East of Manteca

  • @dalerbob
    @dalerbob 8 місяців тому

    When the big earthquake happened in Landers , they got the best footage of a crack opening up . Tweekers we’re up filming their remote control cars and got great footage .

  • @alleyuseless
    @alleyuseless 8 місяців тому

    My friend told me about it when I was driving from Washington back to LA in 2017. I stopped off with my four dogs, went right past the signs, hiked back to the hotel, took tons of pictures, and saw some farmers on the way back on the road. They were totally cool just said “don’t destroy anything or graffiti”. so I didn’t. We just checked out the hotel and took some great pictures.

  • @bingobongo8101
    @bingobongo8101 8 місяців тому

    Just an island full of alcoholics