In the July — August 2005, Vol. 1 No. 3, edition of Chronicles of the Trail, we feature an article based on José Luís Punzo’s March 3, 2003, keynote address for CARTA’s founding conference. Former Director of the Museo Arqueológico de Paquimé, Punzo spoke on the importance of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro to Mexico and the integrated role of museums along the trail. Jessica Castro, a recent graduate from the University of Texas at El Paso, recalls the meaning of veladoras, or religious candles, in the spiritual traditions of a Hispanic family. Louann Jordan, Curator of Exhibitions and Publicity at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, or "The Ranch of the Swallows," gives us a tour of her extensive living history museum which was the last resting place on the trail before expeditions from Mexico City reached Santa Fe. It will be the site of CARTA’s fall meeting, scheduled for October 1, 2005. You will also discover a brief profile of the Spanish Franciscan missionary, a central figure in the settlement of the Southwest. We have drawn on various sources, including one legend, to give you a picture of the role of bells in Santa Fe’s history. CARTA board member Cameron Saffell gives us a rundown on trail-related actions during the last session of New Mexico’s state legislature. Gary Werner, director of the Partnership for the National Trails System, gives us a brief account of funding requests for the trail in the U. S. House and Senate. Finally, CARTA President George D. Torok’s regular quarterly message can be found here.