Mission San Luis Rey

The missions were originally situated about a day’s horseback ride (roughly 30 miles) from each other, so there’s one in San Diego, Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, Los Angeles, etc.  San Juan Capistrano, of course, is right up the road but the one in Oceanside isn’t too far from us either.

It’s kind of funny putting this together six months later; I’d forgotten how picturesque this place really was.
Quick comparison of San Luis Rey (SLR) vs. San Juan Capistrano (SJC): 
           SLR—the church is still intact, SJC had that pesky eartquake
           SJC—you can view more of the gardens, SLR is a Franciscan retreat center so certain portions are reserved

      
There’s also an active cemetery here.  That first picture is of the entrance to the cemetery grounds; the second shot is just another angle on the mission church front.

                       
No one fell in the fountain this time.  Hooray!

                           
The second picture seems like it might be slightly sacrilegious but she asked me to take it and I couldn’t come up with a good reason not to.








What we did get to see of the gardens was pretty spectacular.










  
Which brings us to the interior of the church.  Someday when I get oodles of spare time (I figure that will be at least a decade from now.  Maybe.), I’m going to make a concentrated study of religious architecture; I find it continuously fascinating.

Fun lighting inside too.

Love this shot.

Back outside, we explore the lavanderia.  That’s right, the laundry.

                          
Uncle Jonathan was trying to get a decent picture of us, but then someone started acting silly :)

                
                                                 
A few details from the cemetery and it’s time to call it a day!  At this point in our visiting day, it was time to head home for a nap.  At this point in my current day, it’s also time for some sleep.  Goodnight!