California Dreaming

California Dreaming on such a Winter's Day!  No kidding, folks - the temperatures were in the low 80's!

On my list of priorities was the Mission San Diego de Alcala. This mission, along with it's founder, Father Junipero Serra, play a large part in the Novel I am writing, “Halko and the Orb.”

I enjoyed not only the peace of the mission courtyard, but also I loved the inside of the cathedral, with the paintings of the Stations of the Cross, located on the walls.  

It is said that Father Serra was practitioner of self-mortification and that he walked with a limp.  It would be a good guess that the limp was caused by sleeping in this bed - I can't imagine a punishment being any worse that this.

Monk's quarters at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

The largest bell, called Mater Dolorsa weights 1,200 pounds.  This photo was taken from the inner courtyard, a very peaceful place indeed. Plants from around the world are located here and are thriving in the San Diego climate.

In the following photo, Father Serra is entertaining the presence of doves, which symbolize peace.

This pic is taken from the front of the Mission.

The next day we visited another religious building - the San Diego LDS Temple.  These two landmarks are historically so different, yet both structures uniquely reflect Christian values.

  

I think the spiritual value of light and hope for mankind is evident both outside and inside the temple - definitely a plus for the Mormon faith.

 The sun was just at the right angle for photo taking - notice the contrasting shadows on the spires.