camino real – stephenlirakis.com

CALIFORNIA MISSIONS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

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EL CAMINO REAL

Every day, either I don’t quite know what to say; or there is so much happening (like the olympics) I have trouble choosing. The history of California, the United States, American Indians, Spain is combined in these fabulous examples of culture and history. I cannot help but be in awe of the Missions. Here is but two examples of the the 21 missions comprising the camino real. San Miguel, virtually intact from the 18th century, and San Juan Bautista is restored so well that it is hard to distinguish old from new.

I am not certain how we as Americans react to the aspect of our history that is so tied to Spain and Mexico.

I feel the need to mention the Franciscan Nun, who is the guardian of San Miguel.

MISSION SOLANO

21 missions were created in what would become California by the mexican church. Mission Solano was the last and furthest north, in Sonoma.

I reported on the mission San Miguel the 16th mission established. These missions were really multi-purposed, religious, to convert the indians to catholicism, and to show a Mexican presence in both a political and military way on land claimed by Mexico.

These Missions are testament to a complex history between the United States and Mexico. While not associated with the Missions; the name Vallejo, figures prominently in this history, A general, a diplomat, a businessman. His name appears all over California today. I was completely surprised by how “American” his house; in fact how “New England.”