Carmel

While visiting California we toured Carmel Mission which was founded in 1770. I believe it was the second mission built in California, and work started on the church building that is still there today in 1793.

It was a lovely place, and I know this is crazy, but I couldn't help thinking of John Wayne while walking around there.

I confess this, finding it disturbingly sad that instead of thinking of the noble purpose of such a place I kept thinking of western movies, at least while walking around outside. Once inside, the iconic art and architecture all moved me away from fictional fantasy, and toward a holy spiritual place.

Walking through those doors the transformation of thought was almost instant. I don't want to sound overly dramatic, but it was something to experience. Again, pictures do not do justice to an experience, but I'm sharing them anyway.