Before the days of interstates and automobiles, a journey from Albuquerque to Zuni of about 150 miles typically took 9 or 10 days, and travelers crossing mountains, desert, and lava rocks found relief at this shady little oasis, where water was not just refreshing but at times lifesaving. In 1598, Captain Gaspar Perez de Villagra recalled arriving by great effort at the foot of lofty cliffs, sitting down, and seeing a quiet tank of cold water, whose crystalline waters helped him overcome the insatiable thirst that had nearly overwhelmed him and restored strength as he trembled in exhaustion.