Alta California

Thanks to our Dana Point hosts, we enjoyed a thoroughly interesting visit to one of the oldest missions in Alta California ("upper California"), the mission of San Juan Capristrano.

 SJC was founded in the mid-1700s by Spanish Catholics during a period when this area was considered the domain of the Spanish Monarchy.  When the mission was founded about 500 native people lived in the area and the goal at the mission was to convert, education and "civilize" these people.  Over the next 40-80 years over 5000 local souls were converted....  The mission is still active today, not only as a museum to visit, but as an educational center.   

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SJC was just one of 21 missions along "El Caminio Real"  (see map) New boundaries were created after the Mexican-American War in the mid-1800s and Alta California became part of the USA, and most of the missions gradually became ruins.  These missions are historically and architecturally interesting, of course, only recently have been recognized as worthy of attention and funding for restoration. 

If this subject interests you read more here: 

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

all the leaves are green....and the sky is blue....

We took a trip south to visit yachting friends at Dana Point, which is just south of LA.   We have mutual cruising ideas so we spent some time reviewing charts, routes and harbours where we may meet again this coming summer.

 What a change from Whistler in February!  

As the song goes....all the leaves are green, and the sky is blue....

Thanks, Jim and Kathy, for hosting us!  Yes, we see that big power boats are popular here, but we won't be trading in SV Darwin Sound any time soon.

More California Dreamin'

Yes, photos from another week off skiing are about to be posted....

California Dreamin'

Walking in the hills...

Mature Oak bark

Wandering among cactus plants...

More cactus

Erotica?

Fresh orange, anyone?

Oh, just pick a lemon for our jug of water...

Strolling through Eucalyptus, hmm a wonderful scent

Campus or hacienda?

Beautiful architecture

View from new home site

Dr H Manzanita on the property

House to be built here....

Thanks for a wonderful week!

Welcoming 2012

The festive season around our house includes three special days in a row, each just one week apart:

Christmas Day,
New Years's Day,
Irene's Birth Day.

Birthday presentation: photos from over the years

 Since this year was considered "special", a special event was secretly created by Charlotte, Al and friends.   This surprise birthday bash  included a gathering of wonderful friends, funny props, crazy wigs, great food, an historic photo presentation, and all manner of roasting and toasting. 

Party friends!

Thanks to everyone who plotted and planned over several months, and to all who came to celebrate the beginning of my next decade.  Thanks to Barb and Sue for the extra "effects", to Steff for keeping me out skiing while preparations were underway at home, and to Mary for being my friend through all these years and still wanting to come to the party! 

Special thanks to Charlotte for taking charge and keeping Al organized.  And, of course, thanks to my loving partner - my friend who is my husband - for creating an atmosphere of happy celebration and excitement as we all get another year older. 

Thanks, Barb, for the leisure suit! Thanks, Sue for the curly locks!

Victoria, circa 1970

BC coast, 1985

Family afloat, 1991

Climbing, 1979

Nepal, 2003

 

Sailing....