Peony: An Ode

Tags

Flower, Peony

San Juan Bautista

Tags

Dona Esther, Mustune Indians, Ohlone Indiands, San Juan Bautista, worry doll

San Juan Bautista is a small agricultural town in the San Benito County in California. According to the 2010 census 1,862 souls call Juan Bautista home on an area of 0.7 square miles. It’s a small town!

San Juan Bautista’s history began with the Mutsune natives. Before the arrival of the Europeans and Mexicans, the Mutsune natives, a branch of the Ohlones, populated the area that would later be called San Juan Bautista, named after the mission’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist. The Mutsunes lived simple lives. They were hunters who happily gathered their family in thatched homes made from surrounding plants and trees. After the arrival of the Spaniards, Fr. Fermin de Lausen, the Franciscan priest who succeeded Fr. Serra, claimed the unknown land on behalf of the Spanish king changing the lives of the natives.

A town then grew around Mission San Juan Bautista.

When M and I decided to have lunch in San Juan Bautista this past weekend, we were treated to a vintage car show of which we had no idea was going on.

Back passengers of this sinister car!

 

Rusted bike.

M and I stopped at this Guatemalan Boutique. I have never been to one, and I am only too glad that this store caught my eye. The store was vibrant with colors from drawstring purses, clothing for kids and women, skeleton figurines, beads, earrings, wall decor, and other artsy stuff.

Everything in the store are hand-made in Guatemala or Mexico.

Guatemalan legend says that if you have a problem, tell it to a worry doll. Tuck the worry doll under your pillow and it will take your problem away while you sleep.

After our stroll looking at vintage cars, the warm and sunny day was just perfect for a scoop of ice cream. Then we walked to the Settler’s Cabin to eat our ice cream where I admired this beautiful tree full of white flowers. I am determined to find out what type of plant it is so I can grow one in my garden. Does anyone have any idea what this plant may be?

Someone’s pretty front yard.

On a scale of 1 to 5, based on this visit, I would give Dona Esther a 3. Because it was a Sunday, which they serve a buffet on Sundays, coupled with the car show, which drew in a lot of hungry people into the restaurant, service was a bit slow. I ordered a chicken quesadilla and it was not the best chicken quesadilla. I’ve had better chicken quesadilla from Jesus Restaurant in Morgan Hill, boasting authentic Mexican food; but the servers were at least friendly.

What did you do over the weekend? I hope it was relaxing and adventurous!

summer of ’10

summer of 2010. left Las Vegas.

photographing in the rain!

Tags

Cannery Row, Monterey Bay California, Old Fisherman's Wharf, Portola Hotel and Spa, Travelzoo.com

Thanks to Travelzoo.com, we didn’t have to stay home for part of my daughter’s spring break. The amazing deal we bought months ago was a stay at Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey. Though Travelzoo.com was not able to make a deal with Mother Nature for a sun shiny day, nevertheless, the rain provided for a different vacation experience. We’ve been used to blue sky on our visits in the past to Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey; yet, the rain did not dampen our spirit. In fact, when I found out the weather called for 5-days of rain, I was excited for I have never photo-documented our travel on a rainy day or days. Here, thought I, is a superb opportunity to take pictures in the rain; and to prove my excitement, I brought our rainboots and umbrellas.

I was faced with many challenges while taking pictures in the rain. My foremost concern was getting my camera wet. Next, deftly holding an umbrella with one hand while taking pictures; it is doable but was a frustrating experience. Lastly, the wind was an added factor to my concern swaying the limbs of my subject, blurring my shots.

The next day, no rain but sun.

We loved staying in Portola Hotel and Spa for many reasons. 1) Walking distance to the Old Fisherman’s Wharf 2) A trail that leads to Cannery Row with the ocean in view 3) Within walking distance to restaurants, banks, Walgreens (we all got sick–having Walgreens nearby was a blessing!), Starbucks, and 4) Surrounded by historic buildings.

In 1602, Sebastian Vizcaino, a Spanish explorer named “Monterey”, after Spain’s Count of Monte Rey, after arriving in what would (much-much) later become California. Museum of Monterey displaying the 1960s. This VW is parked outside of the museum, while……this one is inside. That kid there in the picture is a hippie-wanna-be.This is Linda. She is the Omelet Chef at Jack’s in Portola Hotel. I asked if I could take a picture of her. She obliged. I told Linda I blog about my travels and would like to include her in it. She’s been with the company for 17 years. Linda was full of smiles; I was very much impressed by how jolly she was, greeting everyone with an enthusiastic welcome. She engaged everyone in conversation while making omelets. She makes excellent omelets, by the way. Jack’s restaurant in Portola Hotel.

Just a few steps from Jack’s is Peter B’s Brew Pub. We didn’t want to walk to the wharf since it was raining pretty hard.

Peter B’s Brew Pub is a laid back restaurant and a great place for avid sports fan. Flat screen TV’s covered the walls tuned in to various sport channels. The meal was good, although my family thought otherwise. If you are ever in the Central Coast, come on visit Monterey. There are so much to see and do here.

Do you have a favorite place to visit that you and your family frequent? I’d love to hear about your story. And thanks for stopping by!

Old Mission Santa Ines

Tags

Chumash people, Mission Santa Ines, Solvang California

Santa Ines Mission was founded by Fr. Estevan Tapis on September 17, 1804. It is 19th of the 21 missions. The Chumash Indians called this place home before the arrival of Fr. Tapis and his crew. Little did the natives know that their way of living would change forever. The Chumash Indians learned skills in ranching, farming, weaving, and candle making from the Padre’s and Mexicans.

In 1812, Santa Ines suffered damages from a massive earthquake. 12 years later in 1824, it would suffer further damage from a fire started by an Indian revolt. The Mission community responded by helping to rebuild Santa Ines. In 1904, Fr. Alexander Buckler began restoration of the mission with help from homeless people hanging about the church. His niece restored the vestments that we see today.

Our tour took us into the Vestment Room.

This is the Madonna Chapel. Glass enclosed relics.

After the Madonna Room, we entered the church. The walls are beautifully decorated; very busy, I thought.  Mission Santa Ines possess the best artwork I have seen in among the missions. Some missions have replicas or a few original spread about the adobe walls, but Santa Ines’s collection is very impressive both in quality and originality.

Wall strip covered in clear plastic. I did not ask, but I am assuming it is the original mural.Our Lady of Lourdes.cemetary

Mission Santa Ines is in the town of Solvang, California. In 1911, Danish-American arrived in this part of California. They purchased 9,000 acres of land and brought with them their tradition and culture and built a community near Mission Santa Ines. Thatched roofs and windmills can be seen as you drive along the road. It is a beautiful town. Our time in Solvang was very limited. We were not able to explore as I would have liked.

Mission la Purisima Concepcion de Maria Santisima

Tags

La Purisima Mission, Lompoc California, Padre Junipero Serra, wine country

Mission la Purisima Concepcion de Maria Santisima was founded on December 8, 1787. It is also known as Mission Vieja, or La Purisima Mission. Since it is state-owned, La Purisima is a State Historic Park. Located in Lompoc, California in the Santa Ines Valley, one of California’s wine country.

We first toured the museum. Many relics in enclosed glass, such as pottery, spearheads, music books, and other essentials used by Chumash and priests were on display. Afterwards, we walked down to see the Mission. After a hundred years, the mission was rebuilt on the original foundation by young and uneducated men, under Roosevelt’s New Deal (Civilian Conservation Corps CCC). In exchange for $30 each month and an education after work. It took the men 7 years to rebuild, and in 1941, La Purisima became a state park.

The state owns La Purisima; the Jesuits and the Catholic Church owns most missions.

Like most missions, in 1812, La Purisima too succumbed to an earthquake, which destroyed the church, vestry, community kitchen, and shops. To rebuild, La Purisima moved about 4 miles from the original location to a more ideal place rich with resources. And in doing so, it brought the mission closer to El Camino Real, the pathway leading to all the missions.  I was a bit scared entering the church, chapel, and some of the rooms. This mission felt big and isolated. The adobe rooms were cold…and eerie; though, I could not help but admire the colorful and beautiful murals. And once I stepped out, I felt relieved and welcomed the songs of birds and the warm breeze. A town normally grows around the mission; however, La Purisima being a state park, is away from civilization making it unique.

Most relics are from the original mission, while some are replica’s.

Compared to our prisons now, this prison is not a bit intimidating at all. In fact, it looks restful and homely.

The Chumash Indians called what became Lompoc, home. According to the brochure, “The Chumash religion was based on the cosmos – the sun, moon, and stars. A calendar was developed and oral histories passed down. Caves and rock walls were painted with animal and geometric designs…The Chumash were gentle people who loved music and games.” They also created songs for their entertainment. They were excellent in the crafts essential for survival. The men were great canoe builders, which enabled them to travel the Santa Barbara Channel Islands.

La Purisima Mission SHP, 2295 Purisima Rd., Lompoc, California or www.lapurisimamission.org. In case you want to visit. It is a beautiful area. Bring your water bottle, sun block, and sense of adventure. ps. watch out for poison ivy’s.

Monterey Bay

Monterey, California.

Muir Woods National Monument

Tags

John Muir, Muir Woods, Muir Woods National Monument, San Francisco

Muir Woods National Monument is in Mill Valley. If you plan on visiting this wonderful place, google it first for further information.

I think this is exactly what John Muir had in mind: preserving nature in all its beauty for all to enjoy. “This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forest of the world.” – John Muir “Nature is ever at work building and pulling down, creating and destroying, keeping everything whirling and flowing, allowing no rest but in rhythmical motion, chasing everything in endless song out of one beautiful form into another.” – John Muir

Lady bugs!!

Inside a fallen tree.

Pretty flowers!

Tags

Gérard de Nerval, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., Rabindranath Tagore

“A gush of violets along a wood path” – Nathaniel Hawthorne‘”Are you too proud to kiss me?” the morning light asks the buttercup’ – Rabindranath Tagore “Every flower is a soul blossoming in Nature” – Gerard de Nerval“Thou canst not stir a flower

Without troubling a star” – Francis Thompson“Earth laughs in flowers” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The Amen! of Nature is always a flower” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.Take the time today to smell some flowers, whether in your backyard, someone else’s backyard, or at the grocery store. Have an amazing Monday everyone!

BNP Paribas Open 2012: Days 3 & 4

Tags

Agnieszka Radwańska, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Andy Roddick, Brooklyn Decker, Caroline Wozniacki, Denis Istomin, Denis Kudla, Flavia Pennetta, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Ryan Harrison, Sam Querry, Sofia Arvidsson, Tomas Berdych, Xavier Malisse

If I wasn’t a nut, I’d say to heck with this tennis thing! Sunday was the craziest tennis day for us where everything that could go wrong, went wrong. I won’t bore you with the details, only that a great deal of inconvenience and frustration took place.

As a tennis fan and from previous tournament experiences, I have come to learn that when there is large crowd around the practice court, a top player is practicing. In this case, it was Novak Djokovic.

In between pressed bodies at the practice court, I luckily found an inch of space where I was able to take this shot. After he was through practicing, Djokovic, along with other players, played soccer. And our craziness made us wait for him for over an hour hoping to get his autograph. The crowd was so thick, it made it impossible for me to get his autograph. Being short, I was not able to reach over the heads of the people in front of me. One thing I must say sans his autograph, I got close enough to him amidst outstretched hands, and he is even more handsome in person.

This is the Roger Federer crowd.

I was smitten. Overjoyed. Finally, at long last, finally, Roger Federer. Even as the #3 tennis player in the world, Roger Federer still commands a crowd. Roger Federer played against 19-year old American, Denis Kudla. He was a wildcard. How thrilling and terrifying it must have been for him to play the world’s greatest player.

After the Federer vs. Kudla match was followed by Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Flavia Pennetta.Day 4On our 4th day, I lost our tickets! Major frustration! Replacements tickets were $10 per ticket. Had I not lost our tickets, we would have caught up with Djokovic who was signing autographs again. Oh well! At least we got to see Rafa practice for a bit.

And we got his autograph! I felt like Gollum when he bit off Frodo’s finger to get the ring back. It was definitely a Gollum-moment: joy and elation!

I wanted to get Alexandr Dolgopolov’s autograph (left picture above), only Xavier Malisse approached us again. By then, Dolgopolov had already gone. Darn! Sam Querry’s autograph we got, though (right picture above).Picture above are of Ekaterina Makarova and former #1, Caroline Wozniacki. Pictures below: Denis Istomin and Ryan Harrison.Then we saw Andy Roddick’s wife, Brooklyn Decker. She’s very beautiful. She was very friendly to the crowd and responded to those wanting autographs and pictures. M wanted a picture taken with her but by then, she was already some distance from us. Two men approached M and I, and asked if we wanted their day tickets. I said yes and thanked them. Box seats, Row J, at $200 a ticket. Sweet! Andy Roddick was playing Tomas Berdych.Roddick fought back winning the second set. After that, he went downhill very fast. Seating this close, we heard and saw the madness that is Andy Roddick. We saw his signature trademark of grabbing himself, (akin to Rafa’s picking his butt), heard him chastising himself, and yes, even heard him say the F-word. Berdych won the match. M got his autograph. Thanks to those two guys, soooo much!The evening session match was Caroline Wozniacki vs. Sofia Arvidsson. Wozniacki lost the first set to Arvidsson. Excepting Grand Slams, players can call for their coach on the court between game points. Wozniacki called her dad on the court, who is also her coach, well, to coach her.

Wozniacki’s dad’s pleading coaching worked. After almost 3 hours of battling for every point and long rally’s, she won the match. It was past 11pm by the time Wozniacki and Arvidsson shook hands, and Wozniacki gloating in her badassness! We skipped Ryan Harrison’s match.