This was the last mission we visited, but far from our last stop. The mission was hosting the Michelangelo Sistine Chapel Exhibition while we were there. Various artworks had been reproduced on a large scale so we could walk around and enjoy them up close.
Standing before this panel, I was focused on the book, but Katie wanted to know when her arms would get bigger. She obsessed about arm size for most of this visit, and has brought it up a few times since.
"Mom! Look! A caduceus!" I may have been a little proud at the eyebrows that raised from such an obscure vocabulary word.
This panel was quite moving. I was absorbing the horror of those outside the ark at the start of the flood. The girls were disquieted by the nudity.
After the exhibition rooms, we focused on the mission itself.
I really am glad these spaces have been preserved; although it's a complicated story, they're very tranquil.
There's a nice mix of indoor and outdoor areas to wander.
Katie and I took a moment to appreciate the California poppies.
The interior of the church
I don't think I got pictures of the little "nooks" off to the left and right in the back of the church. Inside those archways were some beautiful, poignant sculptures.
There's a fountain out front, and there seems to have been a chalk event there shortly before our visit.
Kicking myself for not walking a bit further to get this shot straight on. You can see how large the church is from how small the person on the steps is.
One of the chalk drawings. I thought Jack might appreciate it.
Checking for fish in the fountain.
I bought this cross in the gift shop. When the cashier was ringing it up, she showed me that it was reversible.
Maybe I'm easily amused, but that fun bonus made me silly happy. Actually, I wore it to work yesterday.
By the time I finish blogging about our JULY road trip, we'll have gone somewhere else.
