Seven Years. Riding the Central California Coast.

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Inside, Mass was taking place, we quietly snuck in some pics.







The paintings on the walls are of curtains.

Since the Mission had no windows, they painted curtains onto the walls as if it did.

Just after 11 o'clock in the morning of December 22, 2003 the Central California Coast was rocked by a 6.5 earthquake, the largest to strike the region in over 50 years.

Old Mission San Miguel, located just 35 miles from the epicenter, was especially hard hit. All of the Mission's buildings were rendered off-limits to the public. Numerous cracks and fractures appeared in many of the Mission's walls. Entire sections of plaster sloughed off, exposing the vulnerable adobe beneath to the elements. The entire Mission complex was closed to the public and the long process of raising funds for the restoration and the fruition of the restoration itself began.

On December 22nd, 2006 at 11:15:56 am - the same day and time of the earthquake three years prior, the museum, housed in the old convento, reopened, along with the gift shop. This was followed by the reopening of the Parish offices. On the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel, September 29, 2009, a dedication ceremony and mass was held in the church, followed by a public ceremony on October 2, 2009 at 10:00 am, marking its grand reopening, along with the cemetery.


The church's appearance today is much the same as when it was founded. The inside of the church has never been repainted. The pictures and colors you see are the originals that were created and painted by Indian artisans under the direction of Esteban Munras. It is once again a thriving parish and novitiate training school.

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Since Halloween is near, we have to do the cemetery pics in Black & White.

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34 yrs old.

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Sign in the parking lot. You have to read this, then start backing up.

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What my morning looked like.




The ride to Parkfield through rolling ranchland.

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Phil & me




Mark & Steve




You know are in a ranching community when branding irons hang from the ceiling.

Maybe they act as an alarm when the next big earthquake hits Parkfield.

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When the cattle roam freely... Bitterwater Road.




If you click on the home button on this site, and you look at the banner pic.. Recognize that?

Same road, but in Springtime.

For those seeking perfect nothingness, Bitterwater Rd is a gem.







What the middle of nowhere looks like.... The California Valley

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Does it suit me?



Ugliest damn bird you ever did see.





Onward back to the coast via Hwy 58 to some unknown roads:

Huer Huero, Las Palitas (fantastic!!), then the much vaunted Rossi's Driveway: Hwy 229 into Creston & back out to the ocean.

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I like puppy dogs, long walks on the beach, ice cream cones on sunday & holding hands. And my greatest hope is world peace.

Ah, sunset over the Pacific.

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Special thanks to our tour participants.

Tom & Jane, Mark, Jim, Dave, Phil, Roland, Steve & George.