San Juan Capistrano

We drove about 30 minutes up the coast this morning.  The beach goes on and on.  I swear everyone is out this Saturday morning, walking, jogging, biking, and surfing, or playing beach volleyball, except us.  Well we were leisurely walking, does that count?  The surf was up, and I think we saw about 100 people out trying to catch that wave.

 We went to visit San Juan Capistrano Mission.  It was a very interesting place and I'm glad we went there.  Here are some pictures:

This was so beautiful, all shiny gold, the photo does not do it justice.

Seriously??  A Plaque?

"To commemorate the visit
of the
President of the United States
Mr. Richard M. Nixon
and
Mrs. Richard M. Nixon
To the old mission of San Juan Capistrano
March 22, 1969
When they rang this bell of San Rafael
Cast in 1804"

The original mission was destroyed in an earthquake around 1812

The Mission is perhaps best known for the annual "Return of the Swallows" which is traditionally observed every March 19 (Saint Joseph's Day).  In the last 20 years the swallows have found other places to nest as the town around the Mission has grown, development of the area, and fewer insects to eat, so they are not seen in the great numbers like they used to be.