Weekend with Chantelle

 

My niece, Chantelle, has always had a special place in my heart.

 

 

 

She came to visit us for Labor Day weekend, and I took her on some fun excursions.

Here she is at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.  She had never seen a Mission, and loved all of its history.  We spent lots of time poking around all the artifacts.

 

 

 

There were also fun things to do.

 

 

 

This is the original altar of the Mission.  I've always loved old churches.

 

 

 

An endearing part of the San Juan Capistrano Mission were the swallows who would come back every year and nest.  Because of all of the renovation, it has discouraged the swallows, but there are a couple of little nests right at the peak of this building.  They are round and made of mud.

 

 

 

We took the walking tour of the town of San Juan Capistrano and saw many old adobes, and other interesting buildings.  This fountain caught our eye.

 

 

 

Our next stop was Dana Point whose harbor I have loved for many years.  Chantelle and I explored all of the shops and restaurants. 

 

 

 

 

 

One of our favorite shops was DaVine Food and Wine.  The tables were made from wine barrels with corks under the glass tops.  In the background you can see the many wine choices you can purchase.

 

 

 

For our entertainment, there was a duo who sang a variety of songs from Beatles tunes to Adele.

It was festive, not crowded and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

 

 

 

At strategic spots in the Harbor were decorated Elephants that will be auctioned off for charity.  Here I am with the Betty Boop rendition.

 

 

 

Chantelle was partial to this one with silver studs.

 

 

 

We ended our tour with this view of the actual "Dana Point".

 

 

 

I'm happy that Chantelle got to see how beautiful this area is, and I hope she will visit us again soon.