SoCal
​SOJOURN

We arrived @ Doheny State Park in a torrential downpour. It took about 15 min to set up and we got soaked. It rained through the night and we woke up to an angry sea.

The beach was covered with tree branches and roots. Since the forecast was for MORE rain, we decided to visit the mission at San Juan de Capistrano.

Shelly's sister Ellen and her husband Rory were in Laguna Beach and hung out with us for the week.

The alter in the Serra Chapel is older than the Mission itself. The walls were painted in vibrant colors ( a recent restoration effort.)

The great Stone Church construction began in 1797- it was destroyed by earthquake in 1812. The mission continued but the Stone Church was never rebuilt. These days there is an ongoing effort to stabilize and preserve the ruins.

The next day the weather began to clear and we enjoyed strolling the beaches and headlands around Laguna Beach and Dana Point.

Shelly and Ellen exploring tidepools along Laguna Beach. The storm had washed up a lot of seaweed.

The campground at Doheny State Park is right on the beach. Our front yard was a sand berm that dropped steeply down to the beach.

As the weather cleared, the tree debris floated down toward San Clemente and we sat shivering in the sunset.