Western Sojourns: Travels with Camissonia

EARTHQUAKE FAULT (Mammoth Region, Eastern Sierras, Mono County, CA)

2012-03-09T23:01:00.000-08:00

An interesting detour off of Hwy. 203 en route to Mammoth Lakes. By all accounts, this split (10' wide x 6' deep) in the earth's crust is more of a fissure than a fault and, although undated, is probably on the young side (at least 160 years old based on the trees growing in the fissure, per the USFS' website) and associated with the Inyo-Mono craters fault system.

9/7/02 Earthquake Fault.

9/7/02 There's an easy dirt trail from the parking area with guard rails, from which you can peer down into the fissure.

9/7/02

9/7/02 Towering Jeffrey pines and fir trees in the backdrop.

STATS:

Location: Mammoth region, Eastern Sierras

County/State: Mono County, CA

Management: U.S. Forest Service

Closest Town: Mammoth Lakes

Directions: From Hwy. 395, exit Mammoth Lakes (Hwy. 203) and make a left. Take Hwy. 203 (Main St.) to the second stop light and turn right on Minaret Rd. The signed turnoff to Earthquake Fault is up the hill on the right.

Contact Info: Inyo National Forest (USFS), 351 Pacu Lane, Ste. 200, Bishop, CA 93514. Tel (760)873-2400

Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20416

Amenities: Vault toilet, benches along the viewing trail, picnic tables.

Trail: Short & easy dirt trail around the fissure from the parking area, well shaded by pines & firs.

Pets: Bring Fido - dogs allowed.

MISSION SANTA BARBARA (Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA)

2012-03-06T21:52:00.002-08:00

Reposted from my 2/26/11 blog entry at www.camissonia.blogspot.com:

Many moons ago, circa January of 2001, we had trekked up to Santa Barbara and, along the way, stopped by the Mission, the Andree Clark Bird Refuge and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Back in the day, I wasn't such an aficionado of the Cal Missions as I am today, so I only have 4 photos of this bygone trip. Come to think of it, I didn't take many pictures of the botanic garden or of the bird refuge either. What was I thinking? Apparently not much...

1/14/01 Santa Barbara Mission. A statuary of Father Junipero Serra? That Mission bell looks a tad too close to Fray Serra's head...just sayin'

1/14/01 Santa Barbara Mission.

1/14/01 Gil, posing next to a fountain at the Mission.

1/13/01 The day before, Gil next to a water feature on State Street in Santa Barbara.

1/13/01 Here's moi on Paso Nuevo, off the main drag in Santa Barbara, looking slightly frazzled.

1/14/01 Gil, trailing some Mallard ducks & their hybrids along a boardwalk at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge (1400 E. Cabrillo), Santa Barbara. That smirky smirk just tells me he's thinking "Duck a la' orange or foie gras." In my mind, they all look like potential pets with names like Mabel, Hank, or Daisy Mae.

1/14/01 Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Andree Clark Bird Refuge, Santa Barbara.

1/14/01 Heermann's Gulls (Larus heermanni). Andree Clark Bird Refuge, Santa Barbara.

1/13/01 Gil in front of a Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia). Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

1/13/01 Mission Dam, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Well, enough of all this reminiscing...we're heading out to Northridge tomorrow (half way point between Murrieta and Camarillo) to have Dim Sum with Gil's parents, so our plan is to stop by the Mission San Fernando Rey on the way back. If we actually do, then I'll be be posting more mission pix tomorrow. We also plan on revisiting the Santa Barbara Mission again so I can take a lot more than just four pictures. Stay tuned.

Location: 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Contact: (805)682-4713 / Gift Shop (805)682-4149
www.santabarbaramission.org

Hours: 9am-5pm daily. Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.

Admission Fees: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $1 ages 5-15, free for children under age 4.

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STATS:
The following stats are quoted from the California Missions Resource Center:
http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/santabarbara.html

Santa Barbara is the 10th of 21 California Missions.

Founded: December 4, 1786

Special Designation: Queen of the Missions

Named For: Saint Barbara, a legendary martyred church figure of the 3rd century

Founding Father: Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen

Indians Joining this Mission: Santa Barbara was the 3rd mission established in the land of the Chumash people at the native site of Xana'yan. The neophytes were referred to as Barbereno (after the mission) and Canaleno.

Mission Site: In the city of Santa Barbara on a hill commanding a striking view of the sea.

Layout: Santa Barbara was laid out in the traditional quadrangle, with separate granaries, a weavery with patio, tannery, and neophyte housing forming additional courtyard-oriented squares. many of the existing buildings at the rear of the mission complex, however, were created to meet the needs of the seminary, established in the 20th century. Most of the new construction follows the foundations of the old quadrangle.

Water Source: Water was channeled from a dam constructed in Pedragoso Creek, high above the mission. A two-mile long stone aqueduct carried water to a storage reservoir, feeder reservoir and settling tank constructed in 1806 and attributed to Indian mason Miguel Blanco de Baja California. A second aqueduct carried drinking water to the mission, its fountains and Lavanderia washing facilities.

Population: The highest population recorded was 1,792 in 1803.

Livestock: Santa Barbara had a sizeable livestock herd that exceeded 10,000 head in the years 1802-1823. In the peak year of 1821 the mission had 13,732 animals including 3,500 cattle and 9,000 sheep.

Agricultural Output:Over the years 1787-1834 Santa Barbara reported harvesting 223,285 bushels of wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, lentils, garbanzos and habas (broad beans). The mission had two vineyards and many fruit trees.

Mission Church: The church was completed in 1820 with one tower. The second tower was added in 1831, collapsed within 2 years, and was rebuilt in 1833. The Neoclassic facade was inspired by a mission archives copy of the Spanish edition of The Six Books of Architecture by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, a Roman architect of the 1st century B.C.

Mission Bells: Six bells hang within the two church towers.

Mission Art: The mission church is filled with original and noteworthy paintings and statues, including a unique abalone-encrusted Chumash altar dated to the 1790s. The two largest religious paintings in all of the missions are at Santa Barbara. One painting, 168" high by 103" wide, depicts the "Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin." It is thought to have originated in the Mexico City studio of Miguel Mateo Maldonado y Cabrera (1695-1768) and was acquired by the mission in 1798. "The Crucifixion" (168" x 126") is not attributed to a specific artist.

Special Attraction: The beautiful Moorish fountain located in the front of the monastery wing, to the left of the church, was sculpted by mason and carpenter Jose Antonio Ramirez in 1808.

Significant Events: Neophytes revolted at Santa Ines, Santa Barbara and La Purisima in 1824. The event underscored how relations with the largely Chumash neophytes deteriorated after the Mexican takeover of California in 1821.

Secularized: 1834

Year Returned to Catholic Church: 1865

Current Status: Active Roman Catholic Church owned and operated by the Franciscans

Interesting Facts: Under Fr. Narciso Duran the mission became the major record depository for the mission chain, a role that continues to this day.

Francisco Garcia Diego y Moreno, the first Catholic Bishop of California, resided at this mission from 1842 to 1846.

Santa Barbara is the only mission continuously operated by the Franciscans since its founding.

An Apostolic College or missionary center for California functioned at the mission from 1856 to 1885, a Junior Franciscan Seminary from 1886 to 1901, and St. Anthony's Seminary from 1900 to 1987.

Juana Maria, the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island portrayed in Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins was buried in the mission cemetery in 1853.

MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO (San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, CA)

2012-03-06T21:46:00.001-08:00

Reposted from my 7/1/10 blog entry at www.camissonia.blogspot.com:

It's not like I've never been to any of the California missions before, but I seem to have a renewed interest in the early history of our state, in particular, that era before California was even a state. Hopefully one of the more desirable symptoms of getting older (and therefore more obsessed with the notion of antiquity).

Gil & I have been to the Santa Barbara mission a couple times over the past 10 years, and have been to Mission San Juan Capistrano once almost 20 years ago. I enjoyed those visits, but that's about all I can say or recall of those bygone times.

With this week off for my summer vacation, and Gil only free for a couple days in the mix, I thought it would be fun for a relaxing day trip to revisit the Mission at San Juan Capistrano. So that we did yesterday, and boy - all I can say is that it was really an amazing, fantastico experience. Wonder why I didn't think that the first time around? Well, I can answer that question. Back in the day, I simply was not the gardening fanatic that I am now. And who wouldn't go totally apey/gaga over the gardens at this mission?!

6/30/10

The mission at San Juan Capistrano was founded on November 1, 1776 by Junipero Serra, a Franciscan friar, born in Majorca, Spain in 1713, who made his way to Mexico, Baja California, and then Alta California to establish 9 of 21 missions over the course of 54 years. These missions span from San Diego all the way north to Sonoma.

Their mission? To convert the Native Americans to Christianity, and bring them into the fold of civilization (and, by inference, creating new loyal subjects for the mother country of Espana). Be that as it may, and however you want to argue the pros and cons of the padres' divine directives, at their height the missions herded hundreds of thousands of cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and goats, and were largely self-sustaining communities. Pretty impressive for such rustic establishments. By 1833, the missions were secularized under Mexico's secularization laws, with dire consequences for the thousands of Native Americans who were supposed to inherit these lands, but who largely ended up with nada through force or subterfuge, which are often two sides of the same coin. Needless to say, thus also began the decline of many of the missions' grounds and structures. For more on the history of the California missions, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_missions_in_California

Interesting factoid: in 1783, Mission San Juan Capistrano produced the first ever California wine from the Criolla or Mission grapes that had been planted on the grounds in 1779.

So here we are today (or rather yesterday). We joined a free tour of the gardens at Mission San Juan Capistrano with a docent, a lovely lady, originally from England with great accent and matching sense of humor.

6/30/10 Front Garden. Clockwise, left to right: Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae), Roses, Geranium (potted), and Statice (Limonium perezii).

6/30/10 Front Garden. Birds of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae).

Mind you, most of these plantings are not original to the mission, but were lovingly planned & installed by a volunteer group of devotees, who wanted to bring some joie de vivre back to the grounds which had kind of gone to the weeds after years of neglect. They've done an amazing job!

6/30/10 Front Garden. Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) & Wand flower (Gaura lindheimeri).

6/30/10 Raised pond in Front Garden. Koi in reverse-cross-eyed mode.

6/30/10 Bougainvillea around statue of Fray Serra in front of the ruins of the Great Stone Church, which was mostly destroyed by an earthquake on December 8, 1812.

6/30/10 Front Garden. Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha), Lion's Tail (Leonotis spp.), Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea).

6/30/10 Front Garden. Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp.).

6/30/10 Central Courtyard. Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica).

6/30/10 Central Courtyard. Jacaranda Trees in full lavender-hued bloom (Jacaranda mimosifolia).

6/30/10 Central Courtyard.

6/30/10 Central Courtyard. Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo).

6/30/10 Bougainvillea & Jacaranda Trees.

6/30/10 Central Courtyard.

6/30/10 Statice (Limonium perezii). Central Courtyard.

6/30/10 Central Courtyard.

6/30/10 Raised Pond in Central Courtyard.

6/30/10 View of Central Courtyard from Desert Garden.

6/30/10 Mexican Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeata). Desert Garden.

6/30/10 Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) and Parry's Agave (Agave parryi). Desert Garden.

6/30/10 Dasylirion spp. Central Courtyard.

6/30/10 Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii).

6/30/10 Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milli). Central Courtyard.

6/30/10 Central Courtyard.

6/30/10 Silk Oak (Grevillea robusta). Tallest tree at the mission.

In my unbridled enthusiasm, I took over 200 photos whilst here, so I will have to separate the wheat from the chaff and be judicious in my postings. I'll add more if I think they're worth it. For the full gallery, go to http://camissonia.smugmug.com/Travel/Mission-San-Juan-Capistrano/12788473_24TEW#921837451_Eyn8G

But now I'm revved up for a new mission. Got to see all the California missions sometime in my lifetime. Fuggedabout the "1000 Places to See Before You Die" thing. You really only need 21.

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Here are some pics of our first visit to Mission SJC was in 1992. The Great Stone Church was under seismic retrofitting at the time, hence the scaffolding.

9/7/1992 Great Stone Church. Work on seismic retrofitting and preservation began in 1989 and was not completed until 2004 at a cost of $9.6 million.

9/7/1992 Gil at the entry.

9/7/1992

9/7/1992 Street view from the entry to the mission.

Location: 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Contact: Tel (949)234-1300 www.missionsjc.com

Hours: Open daily 8:30am-5pm (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day). Closed noon Good Friday and Christmas Eve.

Admission Fees: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children ages 4-11, free under age 3.

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STATS:
The following stats are quoted from the California Missions Resource Center:
http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-juan-capistrano.html

San Juan Capistrano is the 7th of 21 California Missions.

Founded: November 1, 1776

Special Designation: Pride of the Missions

Named For: St. John of Capistrano, a 14th century theologian

Founding Father: Junipero Serra

Indians Joining the Mission: The Takic speaking people of the Acjachemen villages. Neophytes associated with San Juan Capistrano have been called Juaneno since the Spanish occupation.

Mission Site: Located within sight of the ocean in the town of San Juan Capistrano, which developed around the mission.

Layout: Traditional quadrangle

Water Source: Three streams, the Trabuco, Horno and San Juan, converged at the mission.

Population: This mission grew steadily, exceeding 1,000 neophytes by 1797. Highest recorded population was 1,361 in 1812. Even in 1833, when the mission was secularized, 861 neophytes were still living at San Juan Capistrano.

Livestock: In 1783 (the first year for which we have detailed records) the mission had 430 cattle, 305 sheep, 830 goats, 40 pigs, 32 horses and 1 mule, a total of 1,648 animals. In 1819 (the peak year) the mission had over 31,000 animals including 14,000 cattle and 16,000 sheep.

Agricultural Output: Agricultural production was significant. Over the years 1783 - 1831 San Juan Capistrano harvested 234,879 bushels of wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, lentils, garbanzos and habas (broad beans).

Mission Church: In 1778, two years after the mission was moved to the present site, a small adobe chapel was built, and soon replaced by the Serra Chapel in 1782. This is the only remaining church in which Fr. Serra held mass. In order to accommodate the mission's growing population, the Great Stone Church was constructed between 1797-1806. This cathedral-like building was 180 feet long by 40 feet wide, and had a high-vaulted ceiling surmounted by seven domes fronted by a 120 foot tall bell tower. In December 1812 a massive earthquake destroyed the Great Stone Church, killing 40 neophytes.

Mission Bells: The four bells that hung in the Great Stone Church survived the earthquake, and were hung in a bell wall one of the mission's most picturesque features. The two largest bells were cast in 1796, the others in 1804. Recently the two largest bells were recast, and the originals rehung in the ruins of the Great Stone Church.

Mission Art: The reredos and altar of Serra's Chapel are made of cherry wood and covered with gold leaf. They originated in Barcelona, Spain and are about 300 years old. The altar is adorned with 52 angels faces, one for every Sunday of the year.

Special Attraction: San Juan Capistrano, with its beautifully landscaped grounds and with the ruins of the Great Stone Church and adjacent bell wall, is one of the most picturesque sites in California.

Significant Event: Hippolyte de Bouchard, an Argentine privateer, attacked the mission in 1818.

Secularized: 1833

Year Returned to Catholic Church: 1865 in a decree signed by Abraham Lincoln.

Current Status: The Mission San Juan Capistrano Basilica (a large modern church) and the Serra Chapel are part of the Catholic Parish of San Juan Capistrano.

Interesting Facts: Cliff Swallows (Las Golondrinas) return to mission from their wintering grounds 2,000 miles away on or about March 19 (St. Joseph's Day). The return of the swallows is celebrated in Leon Rene's famous song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano."

San Juan Capistrano was actually founded twice. Construction begun in 1775 when news of the Indian attack on the San Diego mission forced the padres to stop construction and delay the founding until late 1776.

Richard Dana described the brisk trade in hides and tallow at the San Juan Capistrano in his coming-of-age book Two Years Before the Mast.

MISSION SAN LUIS REY DE FRANCIA (Oceanside, San Diego County, CA)

2012-03-06T20:59:00.001-08:00

Reposted from my 11/30/10 blog entry at www.camissonia.blogspot.com:

On our way back to Murrieta from Mission San Diego de Alcala, we headed up the coast to Oceanside to see our second Mission of the day: San Luis Rey de Francia. San Luis Rey was the largest and most populous of the California missions in its heyday, with thousands of head of cattle and sheep, olive groves, orchards, and vineyards. It was named in honor of King Louis IX of France, hence the nickname "King of Missions."

San Luis Rey was founded on June 13, 1798 by Father Fermin Lasuen and was the eighteenth in the series of 21 missions built by the padres in Alta California.

11/29/10

When we visited yesterday, the museum, visitor center and offices were all closed to allow staff to attend a funeral mass for a Brother Kelly Cullen. In fact, services had just finished when we arrived, so we spent most of our time just walking around the grounds (although the church was open, so we were able to go in and see that).

Bougainvillea, cacti, succulents and agaves at the entry.

Red Fairyduster (Calliandra californica?) growing in a planter bed.

San Luis Rey was abandoned in the 1830s and fell into ruin after the Mexican government secularized all the California missions. After secularization, Governor Pio Pico ended up selling some of the missions, including San Luis Rey in 1846, to his relatives for a fraction of their value (nice to be related to the Governor). President Abraham Lincoln returned the missions to the Catholic Church in 1865, but San Luis Rey remained unoccupied until 1892 when restoration efforts were initiated.

The current church, the 3rd one in this location, was built in 1811. Today, it is a working mission and is home to a community of Franciscan Friars.

Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)? next to the bell tower. Cemetery.

Gorgeous fall foliage on a Western Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa). Cemetery.

Western Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa).

One ginormous California Pepper Tree (Schinus molle).

The first California Pepper Tree (i.e., Peruvian Pepper Tree), was planted at San Luis Rey in 1830. We were not able to see this historic tree yesterday as the gate to that part of the grounds was locked (perhaps due to the funeral service). The one taken in this photo was growing in the cemetery. Today, these trees can literally be found growing EVERYWHERE in cultivated and other landscapes throughout California. They are considered invasive and can displace native trees, so they are not exactly a fav of mine. However, the gnarled and towering grandeur of the really old specimens is still something to behold.

Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla). Cemetery.

Cemetery.

Location: 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92057

Contact: (760)757-3651 (Gift Shop x 117)

www.sanluisrey.org

Hours: Gift shop open 10am-5pm daily (except major holidays); Museum open daily (except major holidays) M-F 9:30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm.

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STATS:

The following stats are quoted from the California Missions Resource Center:

http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-luis-rey-de-francia.html

San Luis Rey is the 18th of 21 California Missions.

Founded: June 13, 1798

Special Designation: King of the Missions

Named For: King Luis IX of France, who led crusades to the Holy Land in the 13th century.

Founding Father: Fr. Fermin Francisco Lasuen

Prominent Missionary Leaders: Father Peyri, who led the mission for 36 years. Father Peyri was not only an energetic leader with a genial disposition, he was a talented architect and builder. When the beloved padre was forced to leave after the Mexican takeover of California, hundreds of neophytes followed him to San Diego, begging him to return.

Indians Joining this Mission: The Takic speaking people associated with Mission San Luis Rey have been called Luiseno since the Spanish occupation. The native term for these poeple is the Payomkowishum. The descendants of the neophytes at the mission's asistencia, San Antonio de Pala, now call themselves the Pala Band of Mission Indians.

Mission Site: Located on a hill overlooking a peaceful valley at the native village of Tacayme in the region known as Quechia, about five miles east of present day Oceanside.

Layout: San Luis Rey extended over 6 acres. By 1826 the quadrangle measured 500 feet on each side. There was a long corridor with 32 Roman arches in front of the patio.

Water Source: The nearby San Luis Rey River and two springs fed an aqueduct or zania that supplied water through two fountains and a charcoal filtration system before irrigating fields.

Population: Although San Luis Rey was one of the last missions founded, it rapidly became the most prosperous of the California missions, with a population that reached 2,869 in 1825, over 3 times the mission average.

Livestock: San Luis Rey rapidly built its livestock herd from 800 in 1798 to over 20,000 within a decade. In 1832 the total number of animals peaked at 57,380, including 27,500 cattle and 26,100 sheep, dwarfing all other mission herds in size.

Agricultural Output: San Luis Rey harvested over 411,000 bushels of grain and produce during the period 1789-1832. Wheat, barley, corn and beans were the primary early crops.

Mission Church: The San Luis Rey Church, completed in 1815, is the only surviving mission church laid out in a cruciform plan. It is 165.5 feet in length and the nave spans 27.5 feet in width by 30 feet in height. A cupola - unique among the California missions - is an octagonal lantern formed of 144 panes of glass. It tops the wooden dome built over the sanctuary in 1829.

Mission Bells: Four bells hang in a three-story domed bell tower. The mission was designed with only one bell tower.

Mission Art: Look for the original hand hammered baptismal font in the baptistery, along with religious iconography and mission era art and artifacts exhibited in a beautiful interpretive museum.

Special Attraction: The sunken garden and lavanderia (laundry), located in a hollow to the south of the mission may be reached by descending 46 fire tiled steps. Two springs provided water that sprouted from the mouths of sculpted gargoyles into the lavanderia.

Significant Event: Departure of Father Peyri.

Secularized: 1834

Year Returned to Catholic Church: 1865

Current Status: A consecrated Roman Catholic church attached to the Franciscan community of San Luis Rey de Francia.

Interesting Facts: In 1816, the asistencia or sub-mission of San Antonio de Pala was established at a mission rancho around 25 miles east of the main complex. This is the only one of a score of mission-era asistencia that is intact and continues to serve its descendant Indian community. The asistencia is located on the Pala Indian Reservation.

Two Indian boys, Pablo Tac and Agripito Amamix, were brought to Rome by Fr. Peyri to further their education and training for the priesthood.

A document from the mission's cornerstone identifies master carpenter Jose Antonio Ramirez as the "architect and director" who completed the mission church in 1815.

A Franciscan novitiate was established on site in 1893 and alter developed into San Luis Rey College. Today it is a retreat and conference center.

The mission was the site for several episodes of the Walt Disney T.V series Zorro in the 1950s.

MISSION BASILICA SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA (San Diego, San Diego County, CA)

2012-03-06T20:51:00.000-08:00

Reposted from my 11/29/10 blog entry at www.camissonia.blogspot.com:

To take advantage of one of those rare days this year that Gil was able to take a vacation day that happened to coincide with mine, we decided to head down south to San Diego (about an hour's drive from Murrieta) to visit a couple of the California Missions. I've said this before, but Gil and I made a pact to see all 21 of California's missions sometime in our lifetime.

First stop: Mission San Diego de Alcala, aka the "Mother of the Missions."

Parking lot at entrance off of San Diego Mission Road.

Facade.

Mission San Diego is California's first mission (and, therefore, first church) and was founded by Father Junipero Serra on July 16, 1769. In 1774, the mission and the Spanish presidio (i.e., a military fort) were relocated from an area above Old Town San Diego to its present site, which had better land for farming, a more reliable source of water, and was also closer to the native Kumeyaay villages.

I can't summarize it better than the brochure we got from the gift shop, so I'll excerpt it here:

"In 1775 , just one year after the first adobe church was completed, the mission was attacked by Indians who destroyed it by burning the dry tinder buildings to the ground. Padre Luis Jayme was killed in this attack when he tried to calm the Indians. Padre Jayme became the first Christian martyr in California and is buried in the Mission Sanctuary. Padre Serra returned to the gutted site in 1776 and began to restore the church and mission buildings...The year 1797 opened another chapter in the growth of the San Diego Mission. Five hundred and sixty-five Indians received baptism which brought the number of converts to 1,405. The land area grew to 55,000 acres. Vineyards, orchards, and vegetable gardens began to thrive and wheat, barley, corn and beans were harvested. It is recorded that the mission owned 2o,000 sheep, 1o,000 cattle, and 1,25o horses. In 1821, when Mexico gained its independence [from Spain], Mission San Diego was given over to Santiago Arguello. After the U.S.-Mexican War and the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, the U.S. Cavalry used the mission as a military presence from 1850-1857. The soldiers made some temporary repairs to the decayed buildings in order to make them habitable. In 1862, the Mission lands were restored to the Church by order of President Abraham Lincoln...The present mission was named a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in the bicentennial year of 1976. Today, it serves as an active parish for the Catholic community..."

Additional notes: The mission became a school for Native American children in 1892 and the current church was rebuilt in 1931 to the resemble the mission church of 1813.

Campanario (bell tower).

Church.

St. Didacus (San Diego).

Bed of assorted Agaves (mostly from Mexico) in front of the church, including Agave americana, i.e., 'Maguey' (large specimen in the foreground), and Agave attenuata.

La Capilla (The Chapel).

Inside of La Capilla (The Chapel). Dating back to the 1300s, the throne and altar came from a Carmelite monastery in Plasencia, Spain.

The Chapel's choir stalls.

Small courtyard next to La Capilla.

The ubiquitous Silk Oak (Grevillea robusta). This one's huge, like the one we saw at Mission San Juan Capistrano, but I wasn't able to get a good shot of the canopy.

View towards church from La Capilla (courtyard area next to museum).

Garden (courtyard behind the church).

Garden.

Roses in the Garden.

St. Francis of Assisi fountain/wishing well (Garden).

St. Joseph statue (Garden).

Garden (just outside church).

La Sacristia (from the Garden).

Garden.

Bird of Paradise and Bougainvillea, St. Anthony Garden.

Bougainvillea and African tree aloe (Garden).

Gil, contemplating in the Garden.

Fray Junipero Serra statue (Garden).

Garden.

Don't know for sure, but this big guy looks like a Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) to me.

Moss and ivy, growing over the large stump of a base of the Canary Island Date Palm (?)

Campanario (bell tower), as seen from behind in the Garden.

Campanario (as seen from the Garden).

Fr. Jayme Museum.

Example of an 'Ewaa hut used by the Kumeyaay.

Archaeological site (Convento Wing excavation project).

There were a series of these informational plaques along the excavation site, and this was my fav of the bunch...

Those signature El Camino Real bells, looking strangely out-of-place along that uber modern driveway.

Our next stop & my next post: Mission San Luis Rey de Francia - i.e., the 'King of the Missions.'

Location: 10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego, CA 92108

Contact: Parish Center (619)283-7319; Visitor Center (619)281-8449

www.missionsandiego.com

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STATS:

The following stats are quoted from the California Missions Resource Center:

http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-diego-de-alcala.html

San Diego is the first of the 21 California missions.

Founded: July 16, 1769

Special Designation: Mother of the Alta California Missions ("Mother of All Missions")

Named For: St. Didacus of Alcala, a 15th century Spanish Franciscan. The Bay of San Diego was discovered in 1542 by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo but named San Diego in 1602 by the explorer Sebatian Vizcaino, who mapped the coast.

Founding Missionary: Junipero Serra

Prominent Missionary Leaders: Most of the important early missionaries served or officiated at the Mission San Diego, including Fr. Serra's closest friend Fr. Juan Crespi (in 1772). Serra's successor, Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen served at this mission for 10 years (from 1775-1785).

Indians Joining this Mission: The prominent Indian tribes in the area were the Tipai-Ipai. The native term most frequently used for the San Diego natives is Kumeyaay, one of the principal dialects. The Spanish called the neophytes at Mission San Diego Diegueno. Unlike other missios, the neophytes at San Diego continued to reside in traditional villages in part due to food shortages at the mission.

Mission Site: The mission was originally located on Presidio Hill overlooking the bay, at a location called Cosoy by the natives. The mission was relocated about 5 1/2 miles inland at the village of Nipaguay in 1774.

Layout: Traditional quadrangle.

Water Source: A dam was constructed 6 miles upstream from the mission, on the San Diego River. Water was brought to the foot of Mission Hill via an aqueduct or zanja and then by way of a norja or waterwheel, into the mission.

Population: The neophyte population at San Diego in its peak years (1797-1831) averaged over 1,500. The highest population was 1,829 in 1824.

Livestock: In 1773 (the first year for which we have records) the mission had 40 cattle, 74 sheep, 55 goats, 10 pigs, 29 horses and 28 mules, a total of 245 animals. In 1822 the mission had over 30,000 animals, including 9,245 cattle and 19,000 sheep.

Agricultural Output: Over the years 1782-1832 the mission produced 259,545 bushels of wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, lentils, garbanzos and habas (broad beans).

Mission Church: The church was originally built in 1813 (the third church on this site). It was rebuilt and finally restored in 1931.

Mission Bells: A striking 46' campanario (bell wall) on the left side of the church rises above the mission gardens and contains five bells. The largest bell, called Mater Dolorsa weighs 1,200 pounds. It was cast in San Diego in 1894.

Mission Art: The baptismal font in the museum is original to Mission San Diego. The baptismal font in the church is a replica of the one in which Fr. Junipero Serra was baptized in 1713 in Petra on the island of Majorca.

Special Attraction: A popular stop on the mission tour is a recreation of Fr. Serra's cloister or living quarters.

Significant Events: The mission was destroyed in an Indian attack in November 1775. One of the missionaries, Fr. Luis Jaime, and two others were killed, including Urselino the mission carpenter and blacksmith Jose Romero.

Secularized: 1834

Year Returned to Catholic Church: 1862, in a proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Current Status: Active Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of San Diego, properly referred to as the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.

Interesting Facts: In 1818 a sub-mission or asistencia, Santa Ysabel, was established in the mountains some 60 miles east of San Diego. Santa Ysabel fell into ruin after secularization but a new chapel was built in 1924 by a Canadian born priest, Fr. Edmond La Pointe, who served the area for 29 years.

The mission was used by the U.S. Army (various companies of artillery and cavalry) from 1853 until about 1858.

The mission was made a Minor Basilica in 1976 by Pope Paul VI.

MISSION SAN GABRIEL ARCANGEL (San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, CA)

2012-03-06T19:18:00.000-08:00

Reposted from my 12/4/10 blog entry at www.camissonia.blogspot.com:

Gil and I made a day trip out to the San Gabriel Mission on Thursday.

San Gabriel is less than 10 miles from downtown LA and very familiar turf for me, as I used to live in the San Gabriel Valley (Montebello) circa 1985-1987. I was living with my Aunt Sheri at the time (she is mom's youngest sister and only 4 years older than me, so to me she's not "Aunt" but just "Sheri"). On October 1st, 1987, the Whittier Narrows quake (5.9 on the Richter) struck, severely damaging the mission and also scaring the bejeezus out of us. I remember it was probably around 7:45 am on that fateful day and I was still fast asleep when out of the blue it felt as if the Furies had picked up the end of the bed and started shaking it out like a rug. Anyhoo, a few months later, Sheri & I ventured out to visit the Mission, only to find out that it was closed indefinitely for repairs and retrofitting. Now, a couple decades later, here I am, finally getting a look-see at a remarkable historical place that used to be so close to home.

12/2/10 The campanario, or bell tower.

El Camino Real Door - the original entrance to the Mission.

The San Gabriel Mission (the 4th of 21 missions) was founded by Father Junipero Serra on September 8, 1771, and its the architecture that sets it apart from all the other missions. Father Antonio Cruzado, born and raised in Cordova, Spain, designed the structure. The Moorish influences are seen in the capped buttresses, vaulted roof & ceiling, narrow windows, and the fortress-like look of the church.

Ruins of the original bell tower.

Named for the Archangel Gabriel, the San Gabriel Mission was also nicknamed the 'Queen of Missions.' It was prosperous during its heyday and an important cultural and spiritual center.

Grapevine planted in 1925. Campo Santo Cemetery.

Campo Santo Cemetery. Oldest cemetery in LA County (first consecrated in 1778).

Another old grape vine. Camp Santo cemetery.

Mission church. The green glass windows impart the church with, well, a greenish hue. Interesting how the church at San Luis Rey is bluish, and the one at San Gabriel is greenish. I think I'm liking the blue better. As the saying goes, it's not easy being green...

This crucifix in the Campo Santo Cemetery is a memorial to the 6,000 Gabrielino (Tongva) band of mission Indians buried here.

I believe this is a Chinese Tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum), in fall colors. Campo Santo Cemetery.

'Ramona' grape vine, circa 1774. 'Mother Grape Vine of California.'

The two oldest olive trees at the mission were planted in 1860.

Statue of Father Serra surrounded by the oldest olive tree and the oldest 'Mother' grape vine.

A very busy squirrel in the Quadrangle.

Museum. Quoting the mission brochure: "Museum building was constructed in 1812 of adobe brick with a tiled roof and was almost 300 feet long."

Book printed on a Gutenberg type press, 1534.

Some famous folks have visited the mission.

To summarize the Misssion's history, I turn to Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Gabriel_Arc%C3%A1ngel

"The planned site for the Mission was along the banks of the Río de los Temblores (the River of the Earthquakes—the Santa Ana River). However, the priests chose an alternate site on a fertile plain located directly alongside the Rio Hondo in the Whittier Narrows. The site of the Misión Vieja (or "Old Mission") is located near the intersection of San Gabriel Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue in Montebello, California (known to the natives as Shevaanga). In 1776, a flash flood destroyed much of the crops and ruined the Mission complex, which was subsequently relocated five miles closer to the mountains in present-day San Gabriel (the native settlement of 'Iisanchanga)...Well over 25,000 baptisms were conducted at San Gabriel between 1771 and 1834, making it the most prolific in the mission chain. In its heyday it furnished food and supplies to settlements and other missions throughout California. A majority of the Mission structures fell into ruins after it was secularized in November 1834. The once-extensive vineyards were falling to decay, with fences broken down and animals roaming freely through it. The Mission's chapel functioned as a parish church for the City of San Gabriel from 1862 until 1908, when the Claretian Missionary Fathers came to San Gabriel and began the job of rebuilding and restoring the Mission. On October 1, 1987 the Whittier Narrows Earthquake further damaged the property. A significant portion of the original complex has since been restored."

Replicas of open fireplaces.

Rosemary & Sugarcane.

Horsetail (Equisetum spp.)

Assorted cacti, succulents & California natives.

Palo Verde?

Peace Garden, with a hand-made tile of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Fountain Plaza (fountain made in the 1940s by Native Sons & Daughters of the Golden West).

There are quite a few natives being cultivated on the mission grounds, most of them quite small, so probably newly planted.

Here's a list of the Cal Natives I came across during our visit. I'm sure a number of them had medicinal or other utilitarian uses back in the day:

California Goldenrod (Solidago californica)

Hummingbird Sage (Salvea spathacea)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Hooker's Evening Primrose (Oenothera hookeri)

White Sage (Salvia apiana)

Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus-labeled as Mimulus aurantiacus)

California Wild Rose (Rosa californica)

Sedge (Carex spp.)

Palmer's Sagebrush (Artemisia palmeri)

Pacific Coast Iris (hybrid)

Checkerbloom (Sidalcea malviflora)

California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)

California Fuchsia (Epilobium californica)

Alkali Dropseed (Sporobolus airoides)

Meadow Sedge (Carex praegracilis)

Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens)

Horsetail (Equisetum spp.)

Penstemon 'Margarita BOP'

'Canyon Prince' Wild Rye (Leymus condensatus)

Blue Flax (Linum lewisii)

Bush Sunflower (Encelia californica)

Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia)

Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana)

'Bruce Dickonson' Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

'Centennial' Ceanothus

Location: 427 S. Junipero Serra Dr. (at Mission Rd.), San Gabriel, CA 91776

Contact: (626)457-3048 www.sangabrielmission.org

Hours & Admission: Church, museum, grounds and gift shop open 9am to 4pm except on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (open 9am to noon on Christmas Eve).

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 6-17, $4 for seniors (62 and older) and free for children 5 and under.

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STATS:

The following stats are quoted from the California Missions Resource Center:
http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-gabriel-arcangel.html

San Gabriel Mission is the 4th out of 21 California Missions.

Founded: September 8, 1771

Special Designation: "Pride of the Missions"

Named For: Gabriel, Holy Prince of Archangels

Founding Father: The Blessed Junipero Serra, first Father President of the California missions.

Prominent Missionaries: Between 1775 and for the next 28 years, Fathers Antonio Cruzado and Miguel Sanchez worked together to make this one of the most successful missions in California. Fr. Jose Zalvidea continued their work for another 20 years, and is credited with introducing large-scale viticulture to California.

Indians Joining this Mission: In the mission era these natives, who spoke one of the Cupan or Cupeno languages of the Takic family, were called Gabrielino after the mission. Known now as the Tongva, the descendants were recognized as a distinct tribe by the State of California in 1994. They have sought Federal recognition for decades.

Mission Site: The mission was originally established along the slopes of the Montebello hills at the native site of Shevaanga, overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. In 1775 the mission was relocated to the native site of Iisanchanga "about a league" (3 miles) to the northwest. This mission is 9 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Layout: Traditional quadrangle, with soldier's barracks, neophyte housing, warehouses, and other structures (forming a second incomplete quadrangle) extending out from the central compound.

Water Source: The Rio Hondo and several springs fed an aqueduct, reservoirs, and a canal system that provided abundant water to the mission and its extensive vineyards, orchards, gardens and mills.

Population: Within 15 years of its founding, San Gabriel had 1,000 neophytes. The highest population recorded was 1,701, in 1817.

Livestock: Starting with only 128 animals in 1772, the mission herd reached 42,350, primarily cattle (25,000) and sheep (15,000) at its peak in 1829.

Agricultural Output: Over its active life San Gabriel was far more productive than any other mission in California, harvesting over 353,000 bushels of wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, lentils and garbanzos.

Mission Church: The unique San Gabriel church, completed in 1805, features a Moorish, "fortress-lik" appearance, with capped buttresses and long narrow windows along the prominent side wall. The style is similar to the Cathedral in Cordova Spain.

Mission Bells: Six bells occupy an espadana or bell wall. THe oldest bells were cast in Mexico City in 1795 by the famous bell maker, Paul Ruelas. The largest bell (dated 1830) weighs over a ton and was used for over a century to ring the Angelus, a prayer said at morning, noon, and evening in commemoration of the Incarnation.

Mission Art: The Stations of the Cross are said to be authentic neophyte Indian paintings. They were exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbia Expedition in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World.

Significant Events: In 1846, what remained of the mission estate was granted to a Messieurs Reid and Workman on the condition that they pay all remaining claims to the mission creditors and support the mission's padres without obstructing community access to the church. The title granted to Reid and Workman was deemed invalid by the U.S. Land Commission in 1855, and the property returned to the CHurch in 1859.

Secularized: 1834

Year Returned to Catholic Church: 1859 (decree signed by President James Buchanan).

Current Status: Active Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Responsibility: Claretian Missionaries have been responsible for San Gabriel since 1908.

Interesting Facts: The main entrance to the church is quite plain. In the mission era the prominent door in the side wall of the church opened directly onto El Camino Real ("Royal Road") connecting the missions, pueblos and presidios.

San Gabriel was located astride three prominent trails, Settlers, military expeditions, and travelers frequently stayed at the mission, which had turbulent relations with the Native Americans because of the large military presence.

San Gabriel had the largest vineyard in Spanish California and was the botanical source of many of the vines planted in the other missions in the chain.

Missionaries from San Gabriel guided the development of the Church of our Lady of the ANgels at the pueblo (town) of Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles, founded in 1781.

MISSION SAN FERNANDO REY DE ESPANA (Mission Hills, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County, CA)

2012-03-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

Reposted from my 2/27/11 blog entry at www.camissonia.blogspot.com :

It was very frosty and cold this morning after the last rain storm passed through our region on Friday-Saturday. Our overnight low was 28F, with wind chill bringing it down to 22F (well below normal for this time of year). The newly emerging leaves on all of our bougainvillea have turned black from the icy temps, Hana's outside water bowl and the birdbath were blocks of ice, and there was a layer of frost covering most of the ground. No snow in La Cresta (darnit!), but quite a lot of it came down in our local mountains . Other than the brisk temperatures, it was a gorgeous & sunny day today, so we drove up to Northridge to meet Gil's parents for dim sum, since we had missed our annual Christmas lunch with them back in December due to the heavy rains. It's not that they live in Northridge or that the San Fernando Valley is the Dim Sum capital of SoCal (I think that designation, hands down, goes to the San Gabriel Valley). But his parents live in Camarillo and we live in Murrieta, so Northridge is kind of a half-way point so that we don't have to drive 140 miles one way to meet up. And, since we were in the area, we had to stop by the San Fernando Mission on our drive home to check this one off of our list of the 21 California missions we have vowed to visit sometime in our lifetime. Six down, fifteen to go.

2/27/11 Just love it. Only in California are Palm trees and snow-capped mountains like two peas in a pod. View of the San Gabriel Mountains from I-15N in Rancho Cucamonga.

2/27/11 Another view of the San Gabriels going eastbound on the 210 Fwy. at La Tuna Canyon Rd.

2/27/11 Snow at the La Tuna Canyon Rd. exit just off the 210. Lots of cars with spectators parked on the roadside.

Now, onto the Mission! Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana, the 17th of Alta California's 21 missions along the El Camino Real, was founded by Fray Fermin Francisco de Lasuen on September 8, 1797. One of the most interesting parts of this mission is the "Convento" aka the "long building," which took about a dozen years to build (1810-1822) and is, according to Wiki, "the largest adobe building in California and the largest original building at any of the California missions." The adobe walls of the Convento are 4-feet thick and the most recognized feature is the long portico or corridor of 21 Roman arches.

2/27/11 Roman arches of the Convento (facing San Fernando Mission Rd.)

Convento (street view from San Fernando Mission Rd.)

2/27/11 What looks to be one of the original iron grilles on the Convento.

2/27/11 Bougainvillea in full bloom next to the Convento.

A gorgeous chandelier in the Museum. Wish I had something like that hanging in our great room.

Museum.

Olive trees in the East Garden.

The museum houses a small but very nice collection of Native American basketry.

Another fab mission-style chandelier, in the Convento.

Displays in the Convento.

La Sala.

From the interpretive sign: "This heavy-beamed reception room is one of the largest and most elegant of any among the missions. Its large double doors mark the main entrance to the mission itself. Weary travelers received a warm and hearty welcome here and enjoyed the famous Franciscan hospitality for as long as they wished to stay. At a later date, this room served as a chapel when the original church was abandoned."

Historic library of the Bibliotheca Montereyensis-Angelorum Dioeceseos. The Mission is home to the Archival Center, a research facility that houses many of California's historical ecumenical documents dating from the Mission Period (ca. 1840).

Some really fragile volumes in the collection.

These are just so cool. There were a series of posters on California's State Emblems on display in the Convento, all with a copyright date of 1958 by the Latin American Studio in Santa Barbara. Wonder if reprints are available. This one is of the State's 10th emblem, the Official State Fish: California Golden Trout.

The 6th State emblem: Official State Insect, the California Dogface Butterfly.

The 7th State emblem: Official State Bird, the California Quail.

The 3rd State emblem: Official State Flower, the California Poppy.

Exiting the Convento and heading towards the West Garden.

A tranquil waterfall and creek, almost hidden from view behind a bamboo thicket along the West Garden.

View of the Old Mission Church from the West Garden.

West Garden.

The Old Mission Church.

From the Mission brochure: "The fourth Mission church is an exact replica of the earlier edifice erected between 1804 and 1806....The interior furnishings were used in the earlier church...The 16th century gold-leafed reredos, a memorial to Eugenie Hannon, was installed in 1991. Pope John Paul II visited the church in September of 1987."

The original church was badly damaged in the 1971 San Fernando earthquake and had to be completely rebuilt. The reconstructed church was dedicated in 1974.

"Our Lady of Hope" (replica of the 17th C. statue at the Basilica of Our Lady of Hope in Pontmain, France). Bob Hope Memorial Garden.

Bob Hope Memorial Garden.

A towering, majestic pine tree in the Bob Hope Memorial Garden.

Bob Hope's final resting place. We had no idea that he was buried here prior to our visit to the mission. A beautiful and fitting memorial garden for this beloved funnyman, humanitarian and patriot.

For more on the dedication of the Bob Hope Memorial Garden on August 23, 2005, go to: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0504809.htm

Bob Hope memorabilia in the Mission Workshops wing.

Floss Silk Trees (Ceiba speciosa). East Garden.

Monsignor Francis Weber describes these trees as follows in his book The California Missions: "The floss-silk trees at San Fernando Mission, introduced by Clarese Kroll in 1982 from the Huntington Library, are often referred to as "the single most spectacular flowering trees in the United States." Silk trees are natives of southern Brazil and Argentina and are called samohu by local Indians. They are truly breathtaking in the late summer when their bare branches are covered completely with pink flowers and green fruit."

One of the El Camino Real bells at the mission. There's a perky little Black Phoebe on the sign. These guys were out in force today, flycatching from every conceivable perch in the East Garden.

East Garden. The flower-shaped fountain was copied from an original in Cordova, Spain.

Location: 15151 San Fernando Mission Bl, Mission Hills, CA 91345

Contact: (818)361-0186

Hours: Old Mission Gift Shop: daily, 9am-5pm.

Mission Historical Museum: daily 9am-4:30pm.

Sunday Masses 9am and 10:30am; daily mass in Serra Chapel at 7:25am

**********************************************************

STATS:

The following stats are quoted from the California Missions Resource Center:

http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-fernando-rey.html)

San Fernando Rey is the 17th out of 21 California Missions.

Founded: September 8, 1797

Special Designation: "Mission of the Valley"

Named For: St. Ferdinand, King of Spain in 13th century

Founding Father: Fr. Fermin Francisco de Lasuen

Indians Joining this Mission: The Mission Indian neophytes of San Fernando were referred to as Fernandino, after the mission. Though originally identified with the Tataviam and Tongva, in the 20th century mission Indian descendants of San Gabriel and San Fernando adopted the name Tongva. The Tongva were recognized as a distinct tribe by the State of California in 1994. They have sought Federal recognition for decades.

Layout: Traditional quadrangle. A large hospice called the Convento, or Long Building, branched off the quadrangle.

Water Source: Several springs provided abundant water and a vast irrigation system supplied the mission and its lands.

Population: By 1811 the mission population reached 1,081 and stayed over 1,000 for the next 10 years. There were still 400 former neophytes resident at San Fernando in 1843.

Agricultural Output: In its peak year, in 1819, San Fernando had 12,800 head of cattle, which were a major source of food and revenue. The mission also had a large number of sheep (an average of 5,000 in its peak years).

Mission Church: The simple mission church is an exact replica of the 3rd church completed in 1806 and destroyed by an earthquake in 1971.

Mission Bells: A bell hangs in the belfry of the church. Another bell, weighing 100 pounds and dated to 1796, bears inscriptions for both Mission San Fernando and a Russian Orthodox Church official of the island of Kodiak, Alaska. it is believed by some that the bell originated with Nikolay Petrovich Rezanov's 1806 Russian trading expedition to Alta California.

Mission Art: The elaborate altar, reredos and pulpit are carved from walnut and date to 1687. They were originally installed in the chapel of St. Philip Neri at Ezcaray, Spain, and reassembled in part at San Fernando by California missions curator Sir Richard Joseph Menn of the Diocese of Monterey.

Special Attraction: The Convento or Long Building, built in 1822, served as the padre's quarters and as a guest house. A colonnade with nineteen arches borders the full length of the building, which measures 243' x 50'.

Significant Events: On March 8, 1842, Francisco Lopez, a majordomo on one of the mission ranches, discovered gold particles clinging to the roots of wild onion bulbs in Placerita Canyon. The gold petered out in four years, but this was the earliest gold strike in California. For years thereafter, treasure seekers dug up the mission's adobe walls and floors to find the gold they mistakenly thought the padres had hidden.

Secularized: 1834

Year Returned to Catholic Church: 1861

Current Status: Active Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Responsibility: Oblates of Mary Immaculate have been responsible for the mission since 1923.

HOT CREEK GEOLOGIC SITE (Long Valley, Mammoth Region, Eastern Sierras, Mono County, CA)

2012-03-03T23:23:00.004-08:00

On our way back to LA from our summer trip to the Eastern Sierras in 2002, we decided to check out the Hot Springs Geologic Site, about 3 miles south of the Mammoth 395/203 junction. Totally worth the detour.

Hot Creek can be, in areas, muy caliente - hot, hot, hot!! We were not only impressed by the thermal springs and aqua blue hues of the water pools, but also by those "intrepid??" persons soaking in the roiling, boiling hot springs in apparent defiance of all the stern warnings posted by the U.S. Forest Service. You only live once, so why not defy the odds of potentially getting boiled to death? Not us, said me (and Gil agreed, for once...)

7/6/02 Hot Creek Geologic Site.

Gil, pretending he's in imminent danger.

7/6/02 Hot Creek. The creek originates (as an outflow of Twin Lakes) from the colds waters of Mammoth Creek. Mammoth Creek becomes Hot Creek when it crosses over the Long Valley Caldera on its eastward flow towards the Owens River. It is believed that the hot springs and fumaroles are heated by a large magma pool several miles beneath the valley floor.

7/6/02

7/6/02. Surprisingly, Hot Creek supports a plethora of aquatic life, including the native Owens Tui Chub and Owens Sucker (who the heck named these guys?).

STATS:

Location: Mammoth region, Eastern Sierras

County: Mono County, CA

Management: U.S. Forest Service

Closest Town: Mammoth Lakes

Directions: From Hwy. 395 just south of Mammoth/June Lakes Airport (3 miles south of Mammoth Lakes Junction 395/203), exit east on Hatchery Rd. A sign reading "Fish Hatchery" marks the turnoff. Head wast for about 1 mile and follow the signs to Hot Creek Fish Hatchery. Continue 2.5 miles on a gravel road (subject to winter closure) to the parking area for Hot Creek Geologic Site.

Road Conditions: Hatchery Road is gravel for 1 1/2 miles to Hot Creek, but quite passable.

Trails: Short hike from parking lot down to the springs. Trail provides access to an overlook and observation bridge. Water is super hot in areas, but there are people and even fish in there! Traipsing through and/or soaking in the water is definitely not recommended - in fact, it's strictly prohibited by the USFS. But, heck, that stern warning hasn't stopped a lot of folks from dipping in.

Species: As mentioned, the Owens Tui Chub and Owens Sucker can be found here. The creek is also a catch and release site for rainbow and brown trout. Birds are also abundant, including seasonal waterfowl, dippers, and cliff swallows.

Fees: None

Amenities: Restrooms (flush toilet) & parking lot.

Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20414

Contact Info: Inyo National Forest, 351 Pacu Lane, Ste. 200, Bishop, CA 93514. (760)873-2400.

Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Hot Creek State Fish Hatchery is open to the public year round, 8am - 4pm daily. The hatchery raises several million trout per year for planting in Sierra waters and a gazillion trout eggs for other hatcheries throughout the State.

Pets: Allowed on leash.

BEN OVERTURFF TRAIL (Monrovia Canyon Park, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, CA)

2012-01-28T23:13:00.000-08:00

This trail originates in Monrovia Canyon Park on Sawpit Canyon Road and traverses about 1.3 miles of paved/dirt road before reaching the actual trailhead. The trail winds about 3.5 miles through scenic Sawpit, Sycamore, and Twin Springs Canyons. The last intersection is with Deer Park Trail, leading to the ruins of Deer Park Lodge, a popular vacation retreat run by Ben Overturff and his wife in the early 20th century.

10/18/97 Elaine, Gil & Rusty. Ben Overturff Trail.

10/18/97 Me, Gil & Rusty.

10/18/97 Rusty, cooling off in the creek.

10/18/97 Elaine, Gil & Rusty.

10/18/97 Parts of the trail are nicely shaded by the canopy of live oaks and dense chaparral.

10/18/97 Elaine, the serial tree hugger.

10/18/97 Gil, checking something out creekside
(knowing him, probably poison oak).

10/18/97

10/18/97 Elaine & Rusty.

10/18/97 Ben Overturff Trail.

10/18/97 Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia). Ben Overturff Trail.

STATS:

Location: Monrovia Canyon Park in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains

County/State: Los Angeles County, CA

Closest Town: Monrovia

Directions: Exit Myrtle Avenue on the 210 Freeway in Monrovia and go north about 2 miles (through old town Monrovia) to Foothill Blvd. and turn right. Go two stoplights to Canyon Blvd. and turn left. Drive through a residential area for about a mile, keeping right, then turn right into Canyon Park at the monument sign. The park entry is about a half mile ahead.

Map: http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/images/content/community_life/bro_wildguide_mcc.pdf

Hours: Park hours are 8am to 5pm (the lower main gate closes at 5pm). Closed on Tuesdays, Christmas day and 4th of July weekend.

Fees: $5.00 vehicle entry fee. Forest Adventure Pass not applicable here.

Pets: Dogs are allowed on the trails, leashed.

Websites: http://tchester.org/sgm/trails/overturff.html

http://nobodyhikesinla.com/tag/ben-overturff-trail/

http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/monrovia.html

http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/community-life/parks/342-monrovia-canyon-park

Trail: The Ben Overturff Trail is about 7 miles round trip with a 2,000 ft. elevation gain. Hiking time will be 3-5 hours.

SAM MERRILL TRAIL (Las Flores Canyon, San Gabriel Mountains, Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County, CA)

2012-01-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

I have fond memories of the Sam Merrill Trail. I used to hike it regularly with my Aunt Sheri (or Sheri, as I used to call her, since I was only four years her junior) back in the day when we were both young and sprightly. It was, I recall, not an easy walk-in-the-park kind of trail: a lot of switchbacks, a few narrow, vertigo-inducing spots, and over 1,000' elevation gain/loss. The end game to this trail is the historic ruins of Professor Thaddeus S.C. Lowe's "White City" on Echo Mountain (Echo Mountain House & Chalet, observatory, zoo and incline tram). All were destroyed and/or closed by fire, windstorms, and the elements by the late 1930s. The views and ruins are totally worth the hike up.

1995 Kim, dude, Bianca, and Elaine. Sam Merrill Trail.

1995 Kim, the dude, Bianca, dudette, and moi. Sam Merrill Trail.

1995. Marker for the Echo Mountain House.

1995 Sam Merrill Trail.

1995 Elaine on the Sam Merrill Trail.

1995 Elaine, Jim, dude, Bianca, and dudette.

1995 Kim, Elaine & dude.

1995 Kim, Elaine, Bianca, dude & dudette at the trailhead.

1995 Picnic area at the trailhead.

STATS:

Location: Las Flores Canyon, San Gabriel Mountains

County/State: Los Angeles County, CA

Closest Town: Altadena

Elevation: Echo Mountain 3,207'

Directions: Exit Lake Avenue on the 210 Freeway. Go north about 3.5 miles to the end of Lake Avenue, where it intersects with Loma Alta Drive. Park along the street.

Trail: Pass the stone gateway at the Cobb estate on the north end of Lake Street. There's a short drop to the creek bed before you start ascending Las Flores Canyon. About 5 miles round trip, 1,400' elevation gain. Plan on about 3 hours for the hike. There's no shade along the trail, so it's best to hike in winter-spring, or early morning.

Pets: Dogs are allowed on the trail.

Websites: http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/echo.html

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/EchoMountain_4472.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echo_Mountain

STURTEVANT FALLS (Big Santa Anita Canyon, Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County, CA)

2012-01-28T12:09:00.000-08:00

Sturtevant Falls is a very, and I mean very, popular hiking destination for Angelenos. We learned this the hard way a couple times (always on a weekend) when we were stuck for what seemed like an eternity behind a line of cars trying to find parking up at Chantry Flat. Oh, yeah, and you better have a Forest Adventure Pass displayed in your vehicle, or you'll get cited by the rangers. So, your best bet is to go early and go on a weekday.

The hike to the 60' falls is a pleasant 3 mile round tripper, traversing a shaded trail past some quaint old recreational cabins (built somewhere between 1907-1936 and privately owned) and several stream crossings along Santa Anita Creek.

Sturtevant Falls is also a birding hot spot, as it's a nesting site for Black Swifts (Cypseloides niger). We've never seen the Black Swifts on our hikes there, but have seen American Dippers in the creek.

4/6/97 Elaine & Chuck, goofing off as usual.

4/6/97 Me & Robert.

4/6/97 Elaine & Robert.

4/6/97 Chuck at the falls.

4/6/97 Sturtevant Falls.

5/6/01 Bindweed (Calystegia macrostegia). Chantry Flat Fire Road.

5/6/01 Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.). Gabrielino Trail to Sturtevant Falls.

4/6/97 Crimson Spot Rockrose (non-native). Chantry Flat parking area.

5/6/01 Rockrose (Cistus villosa). Non-native. Chantry Flat parking area.

5/6/01 Rock Rose (non-native). Chantry Flat parking area.

5/6/01 Twining Snapdragon (Antirrhinum kelloggii). Chantry Flat Fire Road.

5/6/01 Parasitic Dodder or Witch's Hair (Cuscuta californica). Chantry Flat Fire Road.

5/6/01 Sara Orangetip on Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum). Gabrielino Trail to Sturtevant Falls.

5/6/01 American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus). Gabrielino Trail to Sturtevant Falls.

STATS:

Location: Angeles National Forest in Big Santa Anita Canyon, foothills of the San Mountains

Closest Town: Arcadia

Directions: From the 210 Freeway, exit Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia and head north. Drive all the way up the foothills to the road end and park in the parking lot at Chantry Flat. You must display a Forest Adventure Pass to park up here (you can buy these at REI or other sporting goods stores - I believe they may also be available at the nearby pack station).

Trail: Walk down the paved Chantry Flat Fire Road to reach the trailhead. The fire road is unshaded and can be pretty hot in the summer (also, it's an uphill walk back to the parking area). The trail itself is dirt, well-marked and nicely shaded by alders, sycamores and oaks.

Websites:

http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/california-sturtevant-falls.html

http://www.adamspackstation.com/cabins.html (history & info on the old cabins)

http://www.losangeleshikingguide.hikesyoucando.com/waterfall/hiking-in-los-angeles-to-the-popular-sturtevant-waterfall-in-the-big-santa-anita-canyon/

http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/sturtevant.html

Pets: Dogs are allowed on the trail.

Contact Info: Forest Service (626)574-5200

HOLCOMB VALLEY (Big Bear, San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County, CA)

2012-01-27T23:21:00.000-08:00

If memory serves me correctly, Holcomb Valley in 1989 was my first ever camping trip here in the U.S. I was not an experienced camper, having only camped once before in 1975 on McCauley Beach in Northern Taiwan with the Girl Scouts at the tender young age of 10. And that was a doozy of a camping initiation, cuz we got hit with a major rainstorm and had to hightail it of there in the middle of the night to seek shelter. We found out the next morning that Chiang Kai Shek had died that night and wondered if the sudden downpour was an ominous meteorological sign that the Generalissimo was no longer of this earth. Considering his dictatorial reign and not always benevolent record, not sure if he was headed to heaven or hell. But I digress...

I have very few memories of Holcomb Valley except that it was in Big Bear near the town of Fawnskin, it was in the middle of December (and, therefore, freakin' cold), and we didn't have enough gear to keep us warm in the tent. Bottom line, if you're not prepared with the right sleeping bags and layered clothing for the <18F overnight lows, you're going to be miserable all night long. Poor Gil had to sacrifice his extra blankies for me, but that's what a chivalrous guy is supposed to do, no? Btw, in sub-freezing temps, don't brush your teeth the next morning in the tent and then try to gargle & spit out through one of those small zippered openings. The stuff just freezes midway and makes a general mess of things on the outside of your tent. Just sayin'.

Holcomb Valley's claim to fame is that its namesake, William F. Holcomb, discovered gold here in 1860 and the area produced more wealth in gold per square mile than anywhere else in Southern California.

12/22/89 Bill the pit bull, climbing up a tree. A really great dog with a sweet temperament.

12/22/89 Me & Elaine. Holcomb Valley campground.

12/22/89 Chuck, me & Gil. Holcomb Valley campground.

12/22/89 I'm pretty sure that stuff in the cup was fortified.
And, why was I wearing those big honkin' earrings camping? Oh, yeah, it was the eighties...

12/22/89 Frosty!

STATS:

Location: San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino National Forest, 5 miles north of Big Bear Lake off Forest Service Rd. 3N16

County/State: San Bernardino County, CA

Nearest Town: Fawnskin, Big Bear Lake

Management: U.S. Forest Service

Websites: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/?recid=26385

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holcomb_Valley

http://bigbearcountry.com/holcomb.html

Camping: Open year round, first come first served. 19 sites with picnic tables, fire rings & vault toilets. Campground host May-October