Chapter 11

Following El Camino Real (The King's Highway), we made our way to our next Mission Destination, Mission Santa Ines in Solvang, California.  Solvang, CA, is a gem in itself - colonized by Danish Immigrants in 1911, it's main street (Hwy 246) is lined with windmills and shops in the buildings styled by Denmark.  It's a charming town, and the Mission sits right before you enter the sleepy town (even though it wasn't really sleepy - people were bustling and finding a hotel was not exactly easy). http://www.elverhoj.org/

Mission Santa Inez, #19 of 21 California Missions.



Established September 17, 1804, in Solvang, California. 

Mission Santa Ynez by far is one of my favorites.  It's nickname, "The Hidden Gem of the Missions", well represents this sweet Mission.  When we pulled into the town, it was dusk and the tour was closed, but we were still able to drive around the grounds without disturbing parishioners attending mass.  The next morning, bright and early (and on my birthday, August 5, 2011), we made it to the Mission just in time to tour the Museum, visit the Chapel, and tour the gardens and cemetary.  Apparently, a wedding was scheduled within the hour and we had made it just in time to visit prior to the ceremony (which may have been longer than anticipated).   The Mission overlooked the magnificent Santa Ynez valley, by far some of the most beautiful California 'countryside' I've ever seen.   Less concrete freeways like in Los Angeles, and more rolling hills and plains.  I don't think that most people out of state would ever dream that California could have land like this.

The lovely sign of Mission Santa Ines - Mission #19 of 21 California Missions.

"The Hidden Gem of the Missions" was our first stop on my birthday, August 5, 2011.

Mission Santa Ynez, founded September 17, 1804, was the 19th of the 21 California Missions.  Founded by Father Estevan Tapis (Father Lasuen's successor), it served as the 'Mission in the middle' of Mission Santa Barbara and Mission La Purisima de Concepcion.  Founded at this Mission was the first higher education seminary in Alta California, Our Lady of Refuge.  Like the Mission, the college was abandoned and fell into disrepair until the early 1900's when restoration began.   Most of these Missions, as we're finding, were found in disrepair, due to war, lack of church ownership, Indian revolts, and natural disasters (mostly earthquakes).  It has been astonishing to see the work and care put into restoring (and in many senses rebuilding) these pieces of history. http://www.missionsantaines.org/

Mission Santa Ines is still an active parish - we drove into town during Mass on August 4, 2011.

A map of California while under Spanish control - including a smaller map of the 21 California Missions and locations.

Santa Ines as it looked in 1804.

Inside the chapel, pre-wedding.  Notice the lovely floral painting along the wall, unique to Mission Santa Ines.

The site of the first seminary in Alta California, 'Our Lady of Refuge'.  It fell into disrepair as did most of the Mission.  Located below notice the asphalt that was made pre-machines - Indians went to the ocean to collect 'tar-balls' to create the asphalt.

El Campanario - Mission Santa Ines (The Hidden Gem of the Machines).

The walkway in the garden leading to the central fountain - Mission Santa Ines.

Ignore the wedding rehearsal - I really hope they don't mind being on this blog.  :] 
The sanctuary of Mission Santa Ines.