Thursday, December 30, 2010

Califonia Spanish Missions (Part 3)

This week I am posting some of my favorite photos from several California Spanish Missions we have visited recently.  Today, and tomorrow are photos from the beautiful San Juan Capistrano Mission, which I think is probably the most famous mission.  (You know, where the swallows return each year.)  It certainly is the most beautiful mission we have visited so far.  The grounds are so beautiful and I'll have to spend at least 2 days showing you what I saw.  Today, some of the architecture, and tomorrow, the flowers and spectacular gardens.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO MISSION
















18 comments:

MyMaracas said...

What a spectacular interior. And I love the purple flowers in that last shot. They look like something from a fairy garden.

MadSnapper said...

the last with the bells and the palm tree with the window are my favorites for today, but they are all beautiful and extraorinary. what a wonderful place that is, I have heard of it my whole life but never seen it. these are gorgeous Karen. i will pop over to see the trees

Lisa said...

Spectacular , Just spectacular

Dawn said...

These are breathtaking! Absolutely stunning Karen!!!
Thank you for the tour....It's the next best thing to being there!!

From the Kitchen said...

Joy! We took the train from San Diego to San Juan Capistrano once. It wasn't time for the swallows to return but we spent an afternoon in that remarkable place.

Your photos are beautiful.

Best,
Bonnie

Char said...

lovely shots

Ginny Hartzler said...

Good grief! The outside and the inside, such a contradiction. I don't think I've ever seen such pomp and guilding in my life!! Wonder how much that cost to make? The pictures are fabulous, but all I can think of is all that gold and ornamentation in there, kind of at odds with what a mission is really about. Think of all the poor they could help with that money if they had made it plainer.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Long long ago, when I was free from my constraints of living at home, I had this quest to visit all of the missions in California. To this day I've probably seen maybe half. Shame on me as I've lived in CA. all my life. Now I have other dreams. I'll be content to see the missions through your great photos. Something about the third photo really strikes me. If the people were not in it, it would be perfect. They are all very nice Karen. Looking forward to a new year full of your pictures. Ha, now the pressure is on. Best to you and yours in 2011.

SouthernSass said...

The interior is so ornate and beautifully detailed. The outside is just as nice - so peaceful looking.

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful images!

Happy Happy New Year!!! =)

Nancy said...

A photographer's paradise -- you captured the feel of the mission and it's history just perfectly.

Looking forward to tomorrow's photos. :)

Anonymous said...

Stronger than time.

Thank you for taking 'time' away tonight. Please have you all a wonderful new year.

daily athens

Unknown said...

These captures are inspiring. I love the composition and the details. I have enjoied following this blog throughout the year and I hope to continue enjoying your art in the next. Warm regards from Puerto Rico.

Anonymous said...

I loved the interior shots, especially the first one. What a magnificent mission!

Unknown said...

Beautiful photographs again Karen.
Happy New Year to You.
Costas

Lisa said...

Happy New Year Karen. Wishing you all the best the year has to offer.
Lisa

boromax said...

Terrific photographs. Thank you so much for sharing these visits - and for taking such excellent pictures!!!

Happy New Year!

Dawning Inspiration said...

What an amazing place to get "lost" in... beautiful!