Staycation Challenge San Diego: Day 2. Oceanside - San Luis Rey Mission

Today, the Staycation challenge advised that you should try to put yourself in the mindset of experiencing everything for the first time.  Too often in life we end up living in a "been there, done that" pattern.  Well, I do anyway.

I've been to Oceanside before.  Why should I return to Oceanside?  Or if compelled to go to Oceanside, why should I linger?  I've been there, done that.  Right?

Well... not always.

Today I found myself in Oceanside for a choir concert at MiraCosta College.  I sing in a community choir and we joined several other choirs for a concert today.  There were several other community and church choirs that sang a fun mix of Broadway, Mozart, and newly composed hymns.  It was a lovely concert.  

After the concert, I decided to explore Oceanside properly.  I had never made the time to visit the San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside before.  So, I decided to see it today before I headed home.

The San Luis Rey de Francia Mission was founded in 1798.  The Mission Church on the site now is the third church that was built on the site between 1811 and 1815.  The San Luis Rey Mission is still used as a Franciscan College, retreat and parish church.  I mean, how cool is it that Franciscan friars still live and study here?  Ok, I know, my history nerd is showing.  But if you are interested in more historical detail and information on the Mission visit this site.

I arrived outside the Mission Church just as a wedding was ending and had the privilege of seeing the bride exit the church in a gown with a massive train on it.  It was very pretty.  The church itself is quiet and provides a warm, intimate feeling despite the height of the ceilings.  The dark tiled floors and exposed wooden beam ceilings break up the tall white walls and make the church feel like a cozy chapel.  The walls, ceiling beams, and pillars are all painted beautifully.  The church is built in the shape of a cross, one of only two churches built in a cruciform layout in the region.  

The gardens and the cemetery are both filled with the perfect combination of California sunshine and contemplative quiet.  Maybe it's the presence of Franciscan friars that walk through the grounds in their habits, or maybe it's the meticulous care that is evident in the upkeep of the gardens and grounds of the Mission.  The whole location just exudes peace and a contented sort of happiness.  It is soothing, calming, and it just makes stress melt away.

I know, cemeteries aren't really happy places.  Nor does everyone want to visit them or find them soothing places.  But there is something about the atmosphere here at the Mission that just is.  The other thing of note about the cemetery around the Mission church is that it is the only cemetery I've seen with a skull and cross bones on the gate/entryway and actual headstones that say RIP on them.  If you have seen others do let me know.  But don't worry, if cemeteries are not for you, the gardens are lovely too.

In fact, of particular interest is an ancient pepper tree that grows in the garden of the Mission. It is almost wider than it is tall with all it's gnarled trunk and branches and with good reason too.  For it is the oldest documented pepper tree in all of California.  It was brought as a seed to San Luis Rey in 1830 by a sailor from Peru and was planted in the heart of the Mission garden by  Fr. Antonio Peyri.  The ancient tree has been growing in the Mission garden for the last 186 years.

The oldest pepper tree in California is growing wide and large in the background.

The San Luis Rey Mission Church was a beautiful place to discover.  It was the perfect place to remember that not far from where you and I live can be found all sorts of wonderful things.  A single beautiful architectural detail, one lighted candle prayer for a loved one, or even one fragrant rose blooming in a garden is all it takes to remind you that nothing is ordinary.  Magic can be found anywhere.  You don't really need to travel anywhere to find beauty and magic.  All you need to do is open your eyes and see what is right in front of you.

Madder Hatter's tricks of the trade for travelers in old buildings:
1. Take a minute to absorb the atmosphere - think about the time it was built and try to place yourself there for just a moment
2. Look up - so many people miss the most incredible ceilings, painted, domed or otherwise... don't be one of them.  Look up!

If you are interested in what I do and see for the rest of this Staycation challenge check back here.

Staycation Challenge San Diego: Day 1. Baby Tiger

Suka the Sumatran baby tiger at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

It is April First, day of fools, and the first day of the Staycation Challenge of April.

Coming in Like a Lion

He hasn't even grown into his paws yet.  So adorable.

March is over, and April 1st came in like a lion, or more appropriately, like a baby tiger.  I started the April Staycation Challenge with a visit to Suka the baby tiger at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Suka is an adorable seventy pound, 6-month-old tiger.   He is just big enough to put your large dogs to shame but still has all of his baby tiger charms.  He does actually remind me of an oversized puppy.  He moves from one plant to the next playing, attacking, shredding, stalking and leaping out to say hi to the people.  In between bouts of playing Suka wanders about with that bored mischievous look you fear in your puppy.  Then he happily leaps on another plant destroying it with vigor.

Playing with zoo guests, play stalking them and popping out to say hello

He is by far the cutest thing I've seen in a long time.  And also the most beautiful.  Just look at that face!

Going Out Like a Puppy

If Suka comes in like a tiger, he goes out like a puppy.  Sleeping upside down with paws in every direction, the very picture of tuckered out adorableness.  Suka plays hard and crashes just as hard like any other over-sized adorable baby.

Rejected by his Tiger mom his zoo keepers were his litter mates til he grew too large.  He is still very playful and comfortable around people.  So, he likes to play hide and seek/stalking people at the zoo and he also likes to nap right next to all the happy visitors.  He loves being loved.

How adorable is this?  Sleeping upside down with abandon.  Cutest thing ever!!!

A little cleaning before nap time

First Day Staycation Challenge Success

Even though I live in the area, I don't go to the San Diego Safari Park as often as I would like to.  So, with a great visit to the animals, particularly the photogenic Suka, this first day of the Staycation was a success.

 

Madder Hatter Tricks of the Trade for this outing:
1. Bring a hat or sunglasses - the zoo is always brighter and hotter than you think it will be
2. Be patient - if you see a bunch of photographers waiting for the cheetahs to come out, wait and you will probably be rewarded by some awe-inspiring sights worthy of photographs
3. Bring snacks - it's just a good idea.  Trust me.

For the other places I will be going in San Diego County this April, keep checking back to the Staycation Challenge here.

My San Diego Staycation Challenge

Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the Staycation Challenge of April.  Hosted by a travel blogger who, like many of us, has been bitten by the travel bug.  Even when we aren't traveling we wish we were traveling, right?

So, this Staycation Challenge is the perfect solution for those of us stuck in our current locations for awhile.

Take up the mentality of a traveler while in your hometown.  Let the month of April, or just the next 15 days be dedicated to this challenge.  Let this be your staycation month.  Try to find new and exciting things to do in your area.  Vacation while staying at home.  Staycation!

I live in San Diego County and I am going to try to do the Staycation challenge for the first fifteen days of April before I start my new job.  I am trying to make the most of my last few days of freedom and also keep alive the traveling spirit while living at home.

I will keep updating this post with links to my posts about the adventures I have on my Staycation Challenge.  Check back soon for more adventures.

Day 1.    San Diego Zoo Safari Park - BABY TIGER!
Day 2.    Oceanside and the San Luis Rey Mission
Day 3.    Carlsbad
Day 4.    Lake Hodges Hiking
Day 5.    Total Relaxation
Day 6.    Whale Watching Tour - and LOTS of dolphins
Day 7.    Garden Photography Effort
Day 8.    Trying New Things
Day 9.    Poway Flower Show & Blue Sky Reserve
Day 10.  Victorian Day - Old Poway Park
Day 11.  Passing on Kindness - Greater San Diego Area

Day 12.  Go with the flow -
Day 13.  Learn Local -
Day 14.  Perspective -
Day 15.

Dessert Monday - Villa Capri's Triple Threat

This past week I had the great pleasure to visit Villa Capri (in Poway, CA) for dinner.  The food was excellent and the restaurant itself charming with attentive and pleasant staff.  But that is not why you are reading this... you are interested in the desserts.

I understand, it is Monday and you have nothing to look forward to except a week of wearying work and maybe if you're lucky some chocolate.

Well, if you happen to be in the Poway area I would highly recommend stopping in at the local Italian restaurant, Villa Capri.  If you happen by at an off time for a meal or simply don't have enough time for lunch or dinner.  At the very least consider staying for a quick dessert.

I will give you three reasons why you ought to.

1. The Cheesecake

It's excellent cheesecake.  It's the typical melt in your mouth creamy taste you know you want to stop for.  Covered in a raspberry sauce that's just perfect.


2. The Budino - A Bread Pudding

Not only is this excellent dessert something new and exciting, it also just so happens to be the Chef's signature dessert.  I have found that you always want to try the chef's signature dish.  They are food experts and if a dish is their best, it's probably fantastic.  And it was.  Rich and moist, I couldn't stop eating it even though I was stuffed.  It was just that good.


3. The Tiramisu

Not only is it tiramisu (and let's be honest, for me that's enough) it's an incredible tiramisu.  It is the recipe of someone's loving grandmother and you know those are the best kind.  Light and airy and the perfect amount of rich, creamy flavor, you won't even want the recipe, because you will know that you wouldn't be able to to recreate the perfection you are tasting.

It's Monday, go on, treat yourself to a dessert.

Now the only problem you'll have it figuring out which one to eat now and how to get the rest of these desserts home for enjoying later.

Safe travels,
The Madder Hatter

Random Travel Photo of the Week

This week's random travel photo features water.

It's only February and here in southern California our plants are already starting to need a strict watering schedule.  (Thank you very much uncharacteristically warm winter weather.  I really did need more chores).

So, because water is on my brain... here are two pictures of some boats on Lake Geneva.

Bonus points if you know what the name of the fountain is.

Safe Travels,
The Madder Hatter

The Heart of Coronado Island

Hollywood Glamour at the Hotel Del Coronado

When you think of old Hollywood glamour you might think of Beverley Hills, Rodeo Drive and LA in general.  Not me.  When I think of old Hollywood glamour I think of Coronado Island.  Specifically, I think of Hotel Del Coronado where Some Like it Hot was filmed with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon.

The Hotel Del Coronado, or as we natives in our laziness like to call it, The Hotel Del, is still just as luxurious and glamorous now as it was when Marilyn walked through it's lobby.  It still has the impressive and gorgeous wood panelled lobby, grand dining rooms and old elevator that add so much charm to the movie.  The Hotel Del boasts an impressive connection to old Hollywood, both in filming and the many celebrities that have stayed there through the years, including Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

You can read all about the hotel's Hollywood connection here, for more films and stars that have passed through the doors of this iconic building.  You may even be surprised by the all the famous names you will find.

Coronado Island's Many Attractions

Coronado Bridge to San Diego

If you happen to be in San Diego with an extra day for wandering, you just might want to spend it on Coronado Island.  Cross the iconic Coronado Bridge, watch sailboats coming and going underneath it, relax in Bayview Park, or build sand castles on the beach.

There are charming little shops on the main streets of Coronado Island that are great for wandering through on a warm day with the ocean breeze.  Many of them are housed in buildings that boast charming architecture such as this old bank building.

Cute little house on Coronado Island

If you are interested in more history you can visit the tiny museum that talks about the history of Coronado Island and includes information about The Hotel Del and interesting tidbits about the area, such as the price you would be paid for every gopher dead or alive.  It reads like a fiction.  A quick inspection of any land in the San Diego area will tell you how spectacularly that effort failed.  But it's an amusing tribute to the enduring annoyance of the little pests.  And, if you find this quirky subject fascinating you might be interested in this article on Coronado's history with pests.

If you're interested in a more active day, you can rent bicycles to ride around or even a catamaran for a few hours of sailing.  Of course that only scratches the surface of all the water sports available.  One can find plenty of places for playing in the water; be it swimming, kayaking, canoeing or even a gondola ride.  Yes.  I bet you didn't know that.  And if you happen to find yourself at a loss for things to do on Coronado the Coronado Visitor's is here to help with a list of things to do.

And naturally, there is a historical tour of the island's iconic Hotel Del Coronado.  So, whether you decide to simply wander the island for the afternoon or splurge and stay in the Hotel Del itself on your vacation, you should, at the very least, wander through its lobby and courtyard on your way to the beach.  This is free and well worth the time.  You can still feel all the Hollywood charm in the air of the beautiful old place.

The Heart of Coronado Island - Hotel Del Coronado

Hotel Del Coronado

If you happen to be a fan of old movies, or the comedy Some Like it Hot, you will especially enjoy the visit.  I would advise watching the film before your visit and then you can really picture Tony Curtis pretending to be the millionaire of the Shell Oil company as he scales the balconies of The Hotel Del in his effort to woo Marilyn Monroe.  And if you go out to the beach you can still rent the little cabana chairs that Tony Curtis' character the Shell Oil millionaire sat in to read his paper on the beach.

Everywhere you turn on Coronado Island you find something beautiful.  Whether it's the beach, the bridge, or the charming shops you seem to find a leisurely sort of luxury everywhere.  But somehow, regardless of my agenda or plans, if I'm on Coronado I'm always drawn to the Hotel Del.  To me The Hotel Del Coronado is the heart of the island.  From it's towers and captivating Victorian beach resort elegance to it's kitchen gardens and perfect beach side views, the Hotel Del Coronado makes me want to linger.  

The Hotel Del Coronado looks like it hasn't aged a day since it opened in all it's luxury in 1888.  It comes complete with a history of tent cities, ghosts, and of course all that Hollywood magic.

So if you find yourself on Coronado, take a few minutes to wander through the Hotel Del Coronado and down to the beach.  Think of all the celebrities that have gone before you and just think, you are now part of a long line of visitors drawn to Coronado by it's beauty, whether and history.  And if you happen to come along around Valentine's Day you'll see that the heart of the old hotel celebrates love and history and it's place in the heart of Coronado.

Safe travels,
The Madder Hatter