Little Things...

...Thursday

I have a thing for history and California missions. 

I googled the 21 missions along El Camino Real (The Royal Road) and was happy to see one only 45 minutes away. I left early to avoid traffic and was not disappointed. Bells like the one in the above photo dot the freeways from San Diego to Sonoma to mark the mission's trail that was financed by the Spanish monarchy.

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel is the 4th mission and was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1771.

As I was strolling the grounds it dawned on me that our state history is relatively young
compared to Europe's history.

The largest bell weighs a ton and can be heard 8 miles away.

This building has been established as the oldest brick, stone and mortar building in Southern Ca.

1791-1805

This is the original grape vine dated 1774

Beautiful textures were everywhere.

original confessional

I actually had to do a double take on these flowers-they looked like wax.

This is the original aqueduct where water came to the mission from Wilson Lake.

The Roman Catholic church is fully functioning with baptisms, mass, weddings and funerals still being performed.

There are at least 4 other Missions that I plan to visit over the summer.

What are your summer plans? I'd love to hear.

If you missed Monday's short post about this Mission, you can read about that
Here 

I'm linking up with Kim
today.

Happy (mission) snapping!
xo
Kelly

The Traveling...

...lens

It's not like there's a shortage of things to do here in So. Cal. I'd certainly have my calendar full if it wasn't for one thing...Traffic. We are plagued with a freeway system that just isn't efficient at moving the 100's of thousands of cars daily coming and going in and out of city. A 20 mile drive can take up to 2hrs. And while us Californians think nothing of driving 40, 50, 60 miles for a day trip, the traffic can be a huge time suck. 

On the other hand, I've got a few years left here in the valley & I think I'd regret not making an attempt to visit some of the amazing places that offer a view into California's history. 

This weekend I drove south to San Gabriel to visit Mission San Gabriel.

I was just smart about it! The mission opened at 9, it's a 45 minute drive, 

left at 8-not too much traffic that early-

 -was home by noon.

Wine was essential at the mission. It was used for church services, at mealtime and as medicine.

There are 21 missions from San Diego up to San Francisco. 

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel is the 4th along El Camino Real (Spanish for The Royal Road)
and was founded on September 8,1771.

I spent 2 hrs roaming the grounds. It was so peaceful and full of beautiful morning light...and textures...so much visual interest. Not to mention the history.

Today I'm sharing over at 

Lisa's