On our road trips north and south along hwy 101, the mission San Miguel has long been a favorite stop. It sits in a lovely valley, and is still surrounded by natural features of the landscape- green hills, large oaks, tall grass. An old adobe wall encircles the compound of whitewashed buildings, the original church, inner courtyard, aloes, and fountain. There are picnic areas, a restroom. It's welcoming, not too neat and touristy, not too run down or forgotten. I was there on Christmas day a few years ago, just hours after an earthquake shook the fragile adobes, causing it to be closed for years. Although the church and cemetery are still closed to the public, the grounds are open again for stretching the legs, and peaceful pondering.
If you'd like to see pictures from a past trip at the mission, enter "miguel" into the "search blog" space in the upper left part of the page.
2 comments:
Zoe looks so much the sophisticated three year old, whereas Julian looks like the chubby, cheerful baby that he is. Can't wait to see them.
Fairlight,
You were about Zoe's age when you first saw the lovely and very peaceful Mission San Miguel on a trip home from San Francisco. The garden and surprisingly cool interior of the old adobe buildings are like a refreshing oasis. You also have the spiritual connection of having your birthday on the feast day of San Miguel, St. Michael the Arcangel as well as our family name. Not surprising that it is a favorite spot. Robbie and I are glad we stopped there on this last trek.
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