In what area did Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca wander for eight years?

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca's journey is significant in the history of early European exploration of North America. After shipwrecking in 1528 on the Gulf Coast, he spent eight years wandering through parts of what is now Texas and New Mexico. Throughout his travels, Cabeza de Vaca encountered various Native American tribes and formed connections with them, which were crucial for his survival during this lengthy period.

His accounts provide one of the earliest European perspectives on the indigenous peoples of North America, their societies, and their environments. Cabeza de Vaca later became known for sharing his experiences, which contributed to Spain's understanding of the regions north of Mexico. His journey through this specific area distinguishes it as a crucial part of his narrative, making it the correct response to the question.