There is always time to reflectMaui Missionand a time to choose Which One? A time When it takes two Tu Tu Tango Like the flamingoes Pink Flamingoes finding peace with each other or praying for others 1869 Bell Tower With our own two handsTwo Hands to open the right doorMission Doors Not the one with danger lurking Two Sharks But the one where you will find peace Buddah and thats my story on twos.... and a pink two too!

Yesterday, my lovely wife and I went on a short road-trip excursion to the towns of Ojai and Santa Barbara.

We took the scenic view of the Ojai Valley, after stopping in town to see the local architecture, including the
Ojai Post Office  along with some galleries, shops, etc. Throughout the town are these beautiful Jacaranda  trees.  

After a couple of hours in town, we got back into the car and headed up the highway to  Santa Barbara.  First, we stopped at Mission Santa Barbara (plaque)  founded by Father ("Padre")Sera  

I couldn't help noticing the contrasting textures in these shots.  Especially the Ojai Valley shot, "Mission", and "Padre"
 

The Mission Trail in El Paso is worth the trip if you're ever in that part of the world.  The oldest mission was built in the late 1500's (before the Pilgrims); the others in the 1600's.  All the current buildings were built in the 1800;s after the originals were washed away through various Rio Grande floods.  At least two were built south of the river, but found themselves north of the border after the river was stabalized.

Presidio Chapel San Elceario (1598, rebuilt in 1851)
Mission Socorro (1682, rebuilt in 1843)
Mission Socorro (newly painted)
Mission Ysleta (1682, rebuilt in 1851)

On the way home today. . .
Church Bell
Window
Tree with Benches

The Presidio La Bahia is just across the San Antonio River from the Mission Espiritu Santos.  This is the place from which Col. Fannin launched his unsuccessful attempt to aid those trapped at the Alamo.  The Presidio was built in the 1750's and the church still holds weekly worship services.
War and Peace Presidio Well Church Altar and Painting

More infrared.
Mission Church Close Up And One for All You Canon Shooters

There are a couple missionary churches just outside Goliad, TX. As usual, I was here in support of my daughter who had a photography assignment. Arches doorway doorway detail candle holder

This weekend I drove to San Antonio to grab my son for a weekend camping trip. While I waited for him to get off work, I explored the San Antonio Mission Trail. Mission Concepcion: Church Well Walkway Arches San Juan Capistrano: Bathroom Window Misson Espada: Reclining Tree The most interesting image, however, was some mailboxes on the route between two of the missions. Worse for Wear This last is for Johnny, who likes to zoom his photos. This is an adobe in New Mexico, thrown in for fun. Zoom, zoom