Off ship by 8:15 because we did the expedited disembarkation where you carry your own bags off the ship. Picked up rental car and headed north. First to La Jolla then on to Mission San Juan Capistrano. This mission has the distinction of being home to the oldest building in California still in use, a chapel built in 1782 and dedicated to the founding priest, Father Junipero Serra. The Criolla or "Mission grape," was first planted at San Juan Capistrano in 1779; in 1783, the first wine produced in Alta California emerged from the Mission 's winery. The garden was small but very pretty, and the koi in the pond were huge.
While the adobe ruins of "The Great Stone Church are a renowned architectural wonder, the Mission is perhaps best known for the annual "Return of the Swallows" which is traditionally observed every March 19. Each year the "Scout Swallows" precede the main flock by a few days, and it seems to be their chief duty to clear the way for the main flock to arrive at the "Old Mission."
With the arrival of early dawn on March 19, the little birds begin to arrive and begin rebuilding their mud nests, which are clinging to the ruins of the old stone church of San Juan Capistrano. The arches of the two story, high vaulted Chapel were left bare and exposed, as the roof collapsed during the earthquake of 1812. This Chapel, said to be the largest and most ornate in any of the missions, now has a more humble destiny--that of housing the birds that St. Francis loved so well.
After the summer spent within the sheltered walls of the Old Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows take flight again, and on the Day of San Juan, October 23, they leave after circling the Mission and bidding farewell.
We drove back through Dana Point & Laguna Beach for some views of beautiful cliff-side homes and beaches. On the way we couldn’t miss the amazingly beautiful San Diego Mormon Temple, sitting high on a hill as white as a wedding cake and decorated with tons of spires. You can’t visit the interior, but I would’ve loved to. Then we sat in San Diego Harbor and watched the Zaandam depart on her next cruise.
Then for some dinner and off to airport for flight at 10:40 pm. Fairly uneventful flight except for the fact that we were flying along and most people were asleep when we hear this BLOOD-CURDLING scream from a woman about half-way back. Everyone comes to attention immediately and we are prepared to handle whatever needs handling, I assure you. Turns out we think she woke up from a nightmare and was screaming and flailing about. Scared all of us half-to-death!
With a VERY strong tailwind, our flight only took 3 hours and 20 minutes. But I only slept about 20 minutes.
pictures from top: framed tiles at the Mission; Ray inside Father Serra's Chapel--with what appears to be an instant halo on his head!; huge cabbage in mission's garden; decorative window set into the adobe bricks.
