Lavanderia at the Mission

The Lavanderia is an open air laundry area where water from the San Luis Rey River flowed down both sides of the tiled stariway, through gargoyles and collected in a tile pool. The Mission inhabitants would bathe and wash clothes there.

Katie will take us down there.

Water flowed through this gargoyle.

And under this bridge into the pool.

Thanks for the tour Katie!

San Luis Rey Cemetary

We are going to take a short walk to the cemetary. This is the front of the Mission, heading into the church and museum, where we didn't go.

Around the side of the church is the cemetery. Come on in with us! This cemetery is the oldest community burial ground in North San Diego County and is tended by Franciscan Friars.

Many of the area's old pioneers are buried here, and services are still held in this garden.

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

Welcome to Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, located in Oceanside, California. It was founded June 13, 1798 by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen to spread the Christian faith to the local Native Americans. San Luis Rey was the largest of the 21 missions built, and is called the "King of Missions".

The Mission is still used today, hosting weddings and funerals, and housing a museum where you can go to learn about the life of it's inhabitants.

Our treasures

Aren't these the coolest slingshots ever? Kaite picked them out, one for her, one for CJ and two for their Maine cousins we are going to see this summer.

CJ got the wolf,

and Katie took the eagle.

Now to practice! Ready, aim, shoot!!

Native American treasures

Some of the treasures offered at the Powwow.


Aren't the beaded necklaces beautiful? I can't imagine the time it takes to make one of them!

We did end up bringing home some treasures. CJ and Katie will show them to you tomorrow.

Indian Frybread

We're getting a little hungry, especially since we can smell all the good food cooking! What shall we have? So many choices... How about some Indian Frybread!

Take warm Indian Frybread and add honey and powdered sugar,

And you have a tasty treat!

Katie wasn't sure she wanted to try it, until she saw how yummy it looked. Now she's hooked too!

Intertribal Powwow

My friend Pam, Katie and I headed out to Oceanside yesterday to see the Powwow hosted by the San Luis Rey Mission Indian Foundation. It was rather crowded and difficult to get to the arena to take pictures, but I did manage to get some that I liked.

If we could have gotten closer Katie would have wanted to stay and watch longer, but she got bored as she couldn't see. I wasn't too impressed with how it was put on, but the costumes were beautiful, the food was good and there was shopping, so come back to see more of our day at the Powwow.