The San Andreas

Last Monday I left home around 5:30 a.m. in order to avoid most of the L.A. Monday morning traffic. My first stop was at Mission San Miguel. I immediately recognized this California Mission as the one that was damaged by the big Paso Robles earthquake two years ago. Mission San Miguel wasn't open due to the damage but I walked around the front courtyard and took some photos of the damage. From the appearances of the complex, it seems like it was once a very beautiful place. Though I was aware of the damage, I was still taken aback by how different this mission looked compared to the others I have visited. I have visited every mission in Southern California and they have all been restored or re-built, so it was a different experience to see one in such dire condition.


Mission San Miguel Seismic Damage, California

My next stop was at the Soledad Mission. This mission was almost non-existent. There were some ruins in the back and a restored chapel building. Soledad Mission is located in the middle of agricultural fields and is quite small. One unique aspect to the chapel is that the 12 original Stations of the Cross paintings are hanging inside.


Soledad Mission, California

Earthquakes have played a significant role in the history of the California Missions. About half of them are located near the San Andreas Fault. As a result of earthquakes and other reasons, the structures you see today might actually be the third or fourth incarnation. Like many other California State Parks, the less visited missions are severely under-funded and are in danger of collapsing. Some of the missions date back to the 1760's, so it's unfortunate to see California's history being lost before our eyes.


San Miguel Mission Restoration Fund, California. $1.2 million raised out of $15 million.

I took some photos of the Soledad Mission then proceeded to the National Steinbeck Center which is located in the Old Town district of Salinas. I had never spent any time in Salinas before so it was cool to see Old Town Salinas. Inside of the museum, there were mural-sized historic photos of Old Town. Whenever I see photos from the turn-of-the-century, I go into daydream mode and imagine what it was like back in those days. Today's version of Old Town Salinas looks similar to the old photos. If there's one complaint I have about modern architecture is that it has zero character. Mass development has made everything cookie-cutter. Nowadays it's all about feeding the Machine and praying to the almighty Uncle Sam.

The Steinbeck Center was nicely designed and ties together the history of region in Steinbeck's work. My only gripe is that the museum isn't that big.


Fox Theatre, Old Town Salinas, California (John Steinbeck's first commercially successful film, Of Mice and Men, premiered here in 1939.)

After lunch and checking in my room, I went over to the Carmel Mission. Upon walking into the courtyard, I was disappointed to find the bell tower in complete shadow. This was around 3:00 p.m. I had arrived around the same time during my previous visit but I think that was in the fall season so the bell tower was lit by direct sunlight. Almost every professional photographer who has photographed the Carmel Mission has a shot of the staircase and bell tower so I wanted one for myself. Another postcard shot I couldn't get involved the water fountain and mission church. The shots that were available were difficult to come by as well due to the strong winds.

I went for a walk on Carmel Beach afterwards. The white sand beach is the place where my dad lost his wedding ring 15 years ago. The sand is so fine on the dunes that the ring probably sank as soon as it slipped off of his finger. My experience yesterday wasn't much more enjoyable because it was so windy that the fine sand was blowing everywhere. I didn't take any photos there this time but I'd like to photograph the beach again in better weather conditions.

My last stop was Point Lobos State Reserve. The park is open til after sunset now so I was excited about going there. Point Lobos is perhaps the most beautiful coastal park in California. The park isn't that big but scenery is as good as it gets. The Monterey Cypress Trees are an interesting attraction. Monterey Cypress Trees have more gnarled limbs than a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. If the wind can do that much damage to a tree, imagine how comfortable it is to do nature photography at Point Lobos.

I got a fair number of shots, but my water-damaged camera started acting up again around sunset. My viewfinder started flickering and I lost most of my controls. It was frustrating but not that big of a deal since the light wasn't that interesting. I had enough photography for one day as is!