Some of my favorite places in all of California are among the 21 Missions, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Barbara, Delores, all of the wonderful places to see. My personal favorite and where I was baptised, is Mission San Juan Bautista. A pastoral setting torn out of a Steinbeck novel, the sleepy little town built around one of the largest of the missions. I have returned many times thoughout my life, hopefully I'll get to spend many more days in this peaceful place. A short 40 minutes from Cannery Row. We were just a tad late and were not able to go inside for confession-next time I guess
statue in front of the rose garden
a view out over the Salinas Valley
a band tailed pigeon stopped to take a look at us
looking down the long exterior corridor, at the end is the town of San Juan Bautista
if you arrive after 4:30 PM plan on going hungry, cause everything is closed.
this prickley pear cactus is more than 200 years old, sits inside the old rectory garden
a closer inspection of some exposed adobe bricks used in the construction
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
- Abraham Lincoln
