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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

California Dreamin,' Yet Again~ (Photo Heavy)

Since it's cold and dreary here today, I decided to take a virtual trip back to the sunshine, thanks to the photos Dick took while we were there earlier this month.



The first night we we stayed in Anaheim where we enjoyed the Disneyland fireworks from our motel room. The next day we headed to Capistrano Beach to meet up with my sister.  But first, we stopped to see the Crystal Cathedral which we'd only ever seen from the freeway. It has an interesting story.







Then we enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the Pacific in Capistrano Beach with Jane and Ted.



The next day we all went to the San Juan Capistrano Mission which was very interesting. We learned that at one point in their history they served food to a thousand people every day!  It was too early for the swallows though.



It's a beautiful spot with lots of gardens and citrus trees filled with fruit.......


and great views. 


Much of the original Church was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1800's. Can you see the Nativity scene that was still there?




The altar of the little chapel was quite amazing.



We also had fun wandering the beach. What do you think these birds are thinking? We sure saw a lot of them.

After leaving Capistrano Beach, we spent a few days in San Diego, visiting old haunts as well as relatives and friends.



We love to go to La Jolla Cove and went there after church.  The seals have taken over the beach,

and these little guys are well on their way to taking over the cliffs that over look the beach. I think I counted 12 of them running around in these plants alone.


Doesn't this look like a great place to have a peaceful lunch?



We didn't eat at the beach, but we did have a wonderful lunch at the Julian Cafe which is in the Cuyamaca Mountains near San Diego. The drive there has some interesting views of the desert, quite different from our Washington rain forests, but with a beauty all their own.



So, there you have it, a brief respite from the rain and snow.  Hope you feel warmer now; I sure do!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed my "virtual" tour. So many seals!!! I guess there will be no walking along THAT beach.

Cyra said...

Lovely to follow you on your travels like that. Did you get the very fishy smell with the seals? I know that the seal colonies here in NZ are overpoweringly fishy.

Nancy said...

The sunset photo is gorgeous! Wow, such beauty takes my breath.

I've never been to this part of CA, and your photos are tempting me to go.

Unknown said...

Ah, that was just the ticket! Beautiful photos of the beach and sunshine baked landscapes! Love it. It's been many years since I've been to southern California, and these photos make me want to return.

Lynn said...

What a lovely place that looks like and it looks much warmer than anywhere else today!

kathy b said...

Makes me want to plan a trip to Cali again!

Janet said...

Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos, Judy. I do feel a bit warmer now. :-)

Becca said...

Looks so sunny, warm and beautiful! I especially love that photo of you guys in the sunset! Beautiful!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

What a lovely way to spend memories on a cold and dreary day!

Merry said...

Awesome photos, thanks for sharing. I so love that sunset….that is spectacular. The cathedral is amazing too…interesting reading.