Day 2: Piggies

MOM

Day 2 dawned a bit foggy, but that didn't dampen our spirits or our enthusiasm. We headed for the state park that holds La Purisima Mission. This mission was restored in the 30's as part of the Conservation Corp work during the Depression. Crossing the bridge into the mission complex is very much like walking back in time. The first thing one sees is the corral with horses and burros. The burros led to a great conversation with Milo and Grace about what the difference is between an ass and a donkey. It basically boiled down to "you can say donkey; you aren't allowed to say ass, even to describe an animal." A bit away from that is a sign showing the site of the original El Camino Real...the road that connected the missions, presidios, and pueblos in California.

We saw the tallow works, lavanderia (apparently, the Chumash liked to bathe A LOT more than the Europeans...who was the savage?), carpentry shop, pottery room, and grain mill. The padres' rooms were rather well-appointed for one who is supposed to have taken a vow of poverty, but I digress. La Purisima has huge gardens amongst the ruins and restored buildings. They also have livestock. Namely, turkeys and pigs accompanying the equine set. The two little pigs were adorable and the kids loved them, although they named them Ham and Bacon.

After lunch at Tower Pizza back in Solvang (where Lisa and I got some quiet because there was an arcade...thank the Maker!!!), we walked back to Santa Ines so we could see the inside. Santa Ines is actually a functioning church, like most of the missions, so it was a different experience from La Purisima. We were able to see many artifacts and the sanctuary where Mass is still held. It was beautiful inside with frescoes and statuary that were original to the Mission's inception in 1804. Outside, there were gravestones in the cemetery dating back to the late 1800's and a grotto for Our Lady of Lourdes. Liam stopped to say a Hail Mary; it was very sweet. I get a feeling of holiness and peace in the missions which is why I love visiting them so much.

Walking around Solvang was a lot of fun. The combination of the Spanish mission and the Danish town is interesting, and the chocolate is amazing! All of the local shops are unique in their own way (no big chains or anything), and a little funky to boot. It adds to the charm of this sleepy place. Milo and I went ahead before everyone else so we could have quiet time at the hotel; I'm lucky that he still likes to do that sort of thing with his mom.  

We headed back to the hotel for swimming (of course) and some quiet time before going back downtown in Solvang. They were having a Third Wednesday Wine Walk which Lisa and I could not participate in since we have four kids with us, but that wasn't TOO horrible. Cafe Angelica, where we had dinner, was lovely and with the coupon from our hotel it was also CHEAP! While there, I asked each kid what they liked the best about the day. Each response was pretty much what you would expect. Cameron said the gift shops, while Liam liked the the first mission better than the second because there was more to see. Milo loved the barracks at La Purisima (only my son could find military history at a religious institution!) and Grace was a fan of the animals. Caramel apples from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory capped off the night as we walked back to the hotel.

Oh, and we took a great picture with Hans Christian Andersen's huge head. Tomorrow, we are on to Missions Santa Barbara and San Buenaventura. We'll be staying in Ventura for two days. Friday is a non-mission day with kayaking in the Harbor and whatever else suits our fancy.

One other thing...the park ranger at La Purisima, Linda, gave us a great idea. She showed us a necklace she made with the Saints' medals she got at each mission. We are all buying a medal from every mission we visit to do the same thing. We'll post a picture when it's all done.

To paraphrase U2, it was a beautiful day.

Milo

The barracks were weaponistic (That's not a real word, Milo)! There were muskets and pikes on the walls along with leather armor. The soldiers were there to protect the missions from the Natives who were trying to get their tribe members back and from the English and French.

The gift shops were also pretty cool. I got an arrowhead necklace and a coloring book with mission history in it. My mom bought some stuff, too.

I walked around Solvang with just my mom because all this being with a bunch of people was getting on my nerves. We got my cousin, Ana, a dress for her birthday and had a caramel apple (I got to have two today!!!). Then we chilled at the hotel until everyone else got back and went swimming. That was cool.