Mission of San Juan Capistrano

**Edwina's Secretary** · 05-01-2006, 12:55 PM

I think this is the prettiest time of the year at the mission. I took some photos yesterday. I was in a hurry but I think they give some idea of the beauty of the gardens.....

The biggest roses I have ever seen!

**Randi** · 05-01-2006, 01:24 PM

Sara, I'm glad you took me there, it's such a wonderful place. Beautiful flowers and they change throughout the year, so I imagine it will always be a little different to visit each time.

It's also a very peaceful place - except when a crowd of ten year olds take a tour

), I love the buildings too.

Wonderful pictures! I'll be glad to contribute with one more of our tour guide and myself.

**Barbara** · 05-01-2006, 03:45 PM

I've been there three years ago (earlier than you Sara

) and I plan to go back with a better tour guide!

**Killearn Kitties** · 05-02-2006, 11:17 AM

What beautiful pictures. The gardens look absolutely gorgeous!

I always meant to ask, do you have any idea what this is?

The tree is situated just inside the exit, and the trunk is covered in those little conical thingies that have a purple tinge. The little sign at the front made no mention of these unusual growths!

**elizabethann** · 05-02-2006, 12:08 PM

MMMM...I can smell the pretty flowers. Nice photos!

**Buddy Blaze Lover** · 05-02-2006, 06:33 PM

I've been there!!

It was beautiful, thanks for sharing the photos!

**kb2yjx** · 05-02-2006, 06:41 PM

Thank you for sharing those wonderful photos!!! Sandra

**Miss Meow** · 05-02-2006, 06:51 PM

Is the red-flowered plant in the second photo a hollyhock? It's so pretty.

I have lots of the other plants in our garden, such as the roses, Mexican sage and echium. Beautiful, tough old plants!

**Edwina's Secretary** · 05-02-2006, 07:10 PM

Miss Meow....yes...that is a hollyhock. And there are some California poppies in that pic as well.

KK.....I love that tree. When I take 4th grade tours, if they are well behaved that is the last thing I show them. I think it a marvel of a protection devise designed by nature. It is called a Silk Tree....I'll look up the Latin name for it next time I am there. I have seen some growing around the area but they are from South America.

**cyber-sibes** · 05-02-2006, 10:43 PM

What a visual treat! I was there 10 years ago, and I thought it was one of the lovliest places I've ever been to.

**Maya & Inka's mommy** · 05-03-2006, 02:42 AM

Oh gosh, I have to show these pics to Bernard!! Will make him green with envy

!
Where exactly are these gardens? In San Fransisco?? We were in SF in 1984, but didn't see this...

**Edwina's Secretary** · 05-03-2006, 08:47 AM

Lut.... San Juan Capistrano is about half way between Los Angeles and San Diego....

**gini** · 05-03-2006, 09:51 AM

Slick and I marveled at the gardens when we were there together.

How are you enjoying the tours, Sara?

KK - that tree is wonderful isn't it?

**ChrisH** · 05-03-2006, 03:17 PM

Beautiful.

Maybe one day.

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 05-03-2006, 03:46 PM

I thought it was a lovely, peaceful place also. The flowers weren't quite as colorful when we were there towards the end of July, but here are a few pics. One is Terry showing just how BIG the aloe(?) plant is, and in one other one, I laid my camera case down to show how BIG these plants are (my mom calls them Chicken and Eggs, but I have no idea what their official name is). Then there's Karen and I with some lovely bright Bougainvilla(?) and another one of the trunk of that tree and one of the entire tree. I believe that tree intrigues everyone!

For some reason I just can't get my mind to grasp the though of a class of 4th graders invading this lovely peaceful place.....

How very quiet it must seem after they're gone.