On our way back from Laguna Beach with the family we stopped at the San Juan Capistrano mission. The kids weren't real interested and amused themselves at the Starbucks across the street and I went on a ten minute whirlwind tour of this mission with my camera.
Left Brain and I are old enough to remember the song about the swallows returning to Capistrano and wondered if it was really true. Turns out it is.
The miracle of the “Swallows” of Capistrano takes place each year at Mission San Juan Capistrano, on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day.
As the faithful little birds wing their way back to the most famous mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the visitors from all parts of the world, and all walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness the “miracle” of the return of the swallows.
At dawn on St. Joseph’s Day, the little birds arrive and begin rebuilding their mud nests, which are clinging to the ruins of the Great Stone Church of San Juan Capistrano. The arches of the two story, vaulted Great Stone Church were left bare and exposed, as the roof collapsed during the earthquake of 1812.
The Great Stone Church, 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 23rd, they leave after circling the Mission bidding farewell to the “Jewel of the Missions.”
It would be a lot of fun to see this event, but alas, Arizona is calling our name for the month of March.
The architecture of this old mission is simply wonderful with it's brick arches and wooden doors.
There were many gardens and plants throughout the mission. It would have been easy to spend an afternoon here to listen to the tours and enjoy the beauty slowly, but I was glad to have the quick glimpse that time allowed.
Long Live the Queen of Mission
The kids enjoyed a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and seeing all the stars of the stars on the sidewalk.
While we were having lunch we got to witness an arrest taking place just outside our window.
Long Live the Queen
Ted had made arrangements for this tour and treated Left Brain and I to tickets. What a fun day this was!
I love movies and find it fascinating to see how this is accomplished.
The tour explained a lot of the "magic" that happens on the big screen.
One thing that was explained to us was how each house or building on this set is "dressed" differently on each side.
The front might be a city hall, the side would be a school and the other side might be a police station.
We noticed there was no hardware of any kind, no doorknobs or light switches to be seen.
These are all swapped out to fit whatever era they are shooting.
None of the plumbing works as there is no water hooked up.
Nor are there any working lamps or overhead lights.
We weren't allowed to take photos on any of the inside sets.
Many of the town scenes had a Midwestern feel to them and were billed as "Any Town USA".
Several of the trees were in pots and could be swapped out with lampposts. If the season is wrong they wire the correct leaves unto the trees. The grass lawns can be rolled up and moved aside to be replaced with sand or whatever is appropriate for the shot.
This is the parking lot where the movie "Blazing Saddles" ends with everyone running out onto the studio lot.
The kids enjoyed the Harry Potter exhibit the most, all the props and costumes from the movies.
Then we got to go into the studio where they shoot "Friends" and see all the props used. We were all invited to sit on the couch and have our photo taken there.
These will be memories to be cherished for a long time.
Long Live the Queen of the Movies
I think of all the memories created on this visit, the best one for the kids is probably seeing the ocean for the first time.
Even though it was pretty cold, these hearty Minnesotans wasted no time in getting into the water and enjoying the waves as they washed over them.
Emily and Ted tried their hand at a little sand volleyball on the beach. Ah, for Emily this just doesn't get any better.
I enjoyed some of the other sights of Laguna Beach as well, such as the permanent furniture provided.
This gentleman was playing chess with a gull...and I do believe the gull was winning. So much for being called a bird brain.
Soon it was time to stop for lunch - overlooking the ocean, of course.
These gulls took over this entire tree when it was time for them to roost.
This mural on the side of a building was colorful and interesting to me.
Here's a view of the houses above us on the hill.
And, of course, where ever you have warm weather you have homeless. This lady was busy knitting away while enjoying the sounds of the ocean.
Long Live the Queen of the Beach
