Surprising that growing up in Southern California, I’d never been inside the gates at Mission San Juan Capistrano. I suppose, even though mom took my brother and me to all the museums and sights in the Los Angeles area each summer vacation, driving any further would have been out of the question for a day trip. So, this past Sunday, I picked up mom (now 96) from her retirement home in Orange County, and we journeyed to the Mission. It was a fascinating day for both of us. Viewing the mission construction, we naturally reminisced about our family home, an adobe brick ranch house with foot-thick walls. She and dad bought it in the early 60s; my brother and I had an adventure-filled, wonderful childhood there. Of course, we joked with each heavy rain that our house would wash away!
Here’s mom holding onto one of the bells signifying a stop along the original El Camino Real, the California Mission Trail.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776, by Spanish Franciscan Catholics. If you’d like to read about the history, click here or here. The gallery below shows pictures of the grounds; you’ll notice mom in a few of the pics. She was glad I talked her into bringing her walker… she generally doesn’t like using it she-thinks it makes her look old. But, the grounds are large and she wouldn’t have been able to cover it all. It’s an exceptional place for a day’s adventure – we highly recommend it! ~SueBee (photos by SueBee)
SueBee and Kat 
Its a Fabulous visit. One of my favorite places to visit. I love your pics!!! Your mom was having a good time.. That is awesome.
Thank you!! 🙂
Good for mom! That place looks beautiful and your mom seems like she was having a good time to.
She likes getting out and about!