Ballooning happens very early in the morning, so even with a nap, there is plenty of time to explore and we did.
Old town Albuquerque is very nice. Most people think that the US started in New England and moved west, new communities being built in a straight timeline. Not so, much of the south, from Florida to California was being developed by the Spanish, or in Louisana’s case – the French.
What today is New Mexico was at the far reaches of New Spain – Mexico. Albuquerque and Santa Fe date back to 1706. This church, on the plaza in Albuquerque in from then. 
Interior of Church.
Along with the Spaniards came the Jews, escaping from Spain and from the long arm of the Inquisition. The Inquisition followed them to the new world, so my moved up north, to the hinterlands of the empire. They didn’t suffer much persecution up north, but old habits die hard, so the Anusim (Hebrew word for force or rape) or Converso (Spanish for forced conversion) continued to live a secret life. Outwardly they were Catholic, in their homes they kept Jewish traditions alive. In the last century, many of the descendants are embracing Judaism fully. I had the pleasure of meeting Doro from Las Cruces, he is a proud member of the community and has visited Israel, where he really awoke to his full return to Judaism. Not every meeting involves a photo, so it was just a very nice conversation that we had.
Back to Old town, on weekends and during Balloon Fiesta, the central plaza is full of activities, traditional music and dances are de-rigor.
Since Day of the dead is approaching, these flags were all over the place. Traditionally they would be cut from crepe paper, these will last a little longer, being die-cut from think sheet-plastic.
New Mexico really embraced the adobe look to many homes and buildings.
Certainly, gives a recognizable cohesion to the state.
In Old town, all kinds of decorations abound.
The American style finds it’s place alongside the pueblo style. With the rich blue skies, blue is a popular color.
The Cathedral is in Santa Fe, which was established one hundred years before Albuquerque. Yes, New Mexico’s history goes way back.
It was a short visit to Santa Fe, the art scene and galleries are what it is known for. I loved the shadow cast by one sculpture under the other. We just walked around the central plaza, didn’t really have time for much else. We even ended up going back down for dinner. I did find a lovely little place near our hotel with fresh tasty food, they also serve alcohol, but this trip, I did without. Fresh Bistro, this is one of those places that would be on my favorites list if it was close to home. Lovely people, wonderful food.
In New Mexico, they put green chili pepper on everything! Once the peppers turn red and sweeter – they make them into these strands and wreaths. Of course one can remove peppers to cook with, but they are really mostly for decoration.
I can’t go anywhere without visiting fabric stores! We visited four of them, but only got a picture outside this one. Each was wonderful and unique in its’ own way.
Leah
Pasadena is a fascinating little city. Most people think of this as a nice suburb of Los Angeles, but it has so much happening here. The city is beautiful, it is full of interesting buildings and institutions. The Norton Simon Museum, the Rose Bowl, a myriad of churches, and the best example of Craftsman homes around.
These wonderful buildings are about 70 years old. They all house classrooms, not dorms. Charles E. Fuller was a radio evangelist back in the 1940’s when radio evangelism was the rage. He went further and 70 years ago established this school. 
In the middle of the campus stands the Women’s club, it was built in 1945, so the rest of the university grew around it.
It looks like the members know how to enjoy an afternoon on the balcony.
The Seminary is keeping up with the times, they have added newer buildings as well as campuses around the West. As small as this campus is, there were plenty of students and faculty walking around.
I came across this, now this is a very interesting sculpture. How often do you see artwork that depicts the actual nailing of Jesus to the cross?
I have to admire the artist, what a realistic scene. Not that art has to be realistic, but it certainly is effective here.
OUCH! That is painful to see even in art, clearly, I’m not the only one who has stopped here.
Are these flowers ironic? or is someone appreciating the pain and sacrifice?
Right next door is a small quiet little chapel. With an interesting stained glass cross built into the corner.
And what I guess is a meditation corner. A pit full of pebbles that people can come in and create messages with. Like a heart, peace, and Jesus. So someone is coming in here.
All the Train stations in the Savoie region have the town name in mosaic, with the background being gold tesserae. You notice the shield that looks like the Swiss flag? That is the shield or flag of the region – Savoie, the Swiss have the same white cross on a red background, but it doesn’t go from edge to edge.
Even the station is the tiny town of Le Buet has this mosaic. I wonder if they have some artists employed to fix or replace these when they get damaged.
Was the Q reversed by mistake? I have to admit that I just noticed that right now.
These three images are from the same building, from very ornate to a very simple design. Yet, each has gold.
This one from Montreux. That alphabet – pure Art Nouveau. I wonder if it took 37 years to build the building, or if the date means something else. Also, the ironwork of this period is intricate. This is when cast iron became very popular. On the railing, there is both, as well as the use of gold paint.
A more modern railing, Art Deco maybe?
This beauty was out in the country. It’s the name of this house:
Although the house is out in the country, in a prosperous farming community, it doesn’t look like a farmers house. Except for the pickup in front. 
I wish the architect had included the year this was built. I googled, there is an architect by the same name in Indiana. The building at 2 Rue de Berne still stands and commands very high rent. But no other information.
Speaking of mosaics. While wandering around the old city of Geneva we came across L’ancien arsenal. There were a few canons and these wonderful mosaics that describe some of the 
history of Gevena. This was the open air market in Roman times. By the 15 century, it was turned into the arsenal. Today the building holds the State archives as well as three beautiful mosaics that depict important historical events connected to the city. 
It’s not easy finding information about these. The artist is named Alexandre Cingria, like most Swiss artists – to most of the world he is a complete unknown. Aside from painting, he designed stained glass for Churches. He wanted to infuse more color and livliness into Swiss Protestant churches. That didn’t go so well in a Calvinist country. So I guess he had to make do with these vibrant scenes outside the arsenal. 
He died in 1945, the little information I could find said that these were created in 1949, which makes sense. Even if Switzerland was ‘Neutral’ during WWII (hiding Nazi funds in your banks doesn’t exactly make you neutral, it just guarantees that the Nazis will leave you alone), I doubt they spent any time creating art until after the war. So the designs must have been made beforehand. I do love the large stones and pieces of glass that are used here gives these mosaics a very strong tactile feel.
I took a close up of this creature decorating one of the cannons.
I can understand why had a problem with sparse Calvinist churches. Although Calvin himself was happy to march into the Catholic Cathedral and preach there. Today it is a Protestant Church, Cathedral is a Catholic term. As much as they have tried to simplify things, notice the light fixture, at least they didn’t get rid of the stain glass windows.
Like my love for mosaic, there is something about stained glass that makes my heart sing.
Geneva is a very nice little European city. No one I know raved about it. When the city’s industry is the UN, the Red Cross, selling watches and Swiss banking, one is left with a rather bland city. Yes the old town is nice, the Cathedral is impressive, especially considering that Calvin originated here. So what started as a Catholic cathedral is now reformed Protestant. 
There are some incredible gothic features, like this spire, which is magnificent.
Or incredible stained glass windows. In order to make up for the magnificence of the church, there were all kinds of posters about Protestant theology. What do you think people were paying attention to?
This is about as good as it gets here. Knowing me, I started to pay attention to the small details. 
Signage is something I love, when your hotel is named after a swan, having a golden swan is perfect.
This is probably a sign for a clothing store.
Look down, the escape room fad has arrived here, what caught my eye is of course the owl.
There are some pretty ornate canons out on display. 
Some of the Gothic designs on the wall of the Cathedral.
modern decorations on a building.
Of course, the famous lake.
Surrounded by the Alps. We did see Mont Blanc above the clouds, but I didn’t get a picture.
Not many street performers, these bubbles were fun.
I stumbled across the Brunswick Monument. it’s Gothic, I tried to find out some information, meh, someone important got an impressive mausoleum.
I guess we missed the flower clock, we saw the sculpture called broken chair. This city was never on my bucket list, now it’s been there done that. Now Chamonix! Hat is a whole different story.
On a mission to see all the California missions. An often overlooked mission is in Oceanside, Mission San Luis Rey.
Once again, we have on of Mrs. Forbes mission bells outside. 
This building was completed in 1815 and has gone through some more modern renovations. A nice bell tower, it was a little hard to see the actual bell.
This is a Franciscan monk, with a robe and rope belt, but what is the guitar doing here? It certainly looks like a modern addition.
This Church is the largest of all the CA missions, it is also quite active, people were praying during my visit. It has the traditional brightly painted decorations.
The wonderful wood beams were brought down from what is today the Cleveland National Forrest. 
Many unique features in this church, a wooden dome. I love how the rays of the sun are coming through.
As well as a wooden cupola.
After looking up, it was worth looking down at the smooth polished Mexican tiles. 200 years gives them so much warmth.
The main altar.
This Church also has two side altars, one dedicated to St. Francis.
Clearly an active Church, a lot of candles being lit.
As well as a Madonna Chapel. I think of this image as the Madonna of Guadalupe, but she isn’t, no roses around her, she is simply the Madonna. Although the style she is painted in is the same as many of the Guadalupes.
More votives in her chapel.
An interesting motif above the window, a small star of David. I doubt it has any Jewish significance here, I think the motif fits in with the design. There are also two Shamrocks, and not too many Irish were here at the time.
Today there is an active Franthean School of Theology on the premises, actively training professional ministers for the Church. I think this is one of the things I love about these missions. Each has a long history and yet each one has found an important purpose in the present day. These missions are very much alive and thriving.
Then, I paid a visit to the cemetery, which warrents it’s own post.
So I’m walking the neighborhood much more and expanding the distances I go. Sure these kind of garden sculptures capture my interest.
The gazing ball craze has been over for years, so has this one been sitting here for years? The rusty pedestal seems to support that idea.
Then I came across this house, a supurb example of 1920’s architeture in LA, part of the Storybook fad. As I was taking this picture, the owner bounded out and we started talking. He was impressed that I guessed the age of the house, I did admit that being a guide with the LA conservancy, I am always learning new things about the city. We talked for about 20 minutes. No, we never exchanged names, I may never see him again, so what? Friendly, casual interactions between strangers are fine just being that – friendly and short. 
This was the only remaining corbel with a face. Since the house is 90 years old and probably was only the carriage house of a larger home, a lot has changed. He and his wife just purchased the home, in hopes of moving up here in a few years from Orange County. This is quite a change from the tract home they live in now. He was busy getting the place fixed up so they can rent it out. So if someone wants a cute house, on Fairway Ave, right above Ventura Blvd, go take a look.
You’d think this gate is part of the same home, but no, someone else is into the ‘Gothic look’.
Later on the walk I came across this fellow. No we didn’t meet in person, I couldn’t pet him, but he is real. All I could think of is the old song from my youth – How much is that Doggie in the Window?
The gardens are full of flowers, I’m loving them all.
I’ve never seen a gladiola like this. They only bloom for a few weeks, boy is this a great one to have in the garden!
A number of the gardens had very impressive roses, give them water and they grow extremely well in Southern California.
I really had to edit down my rose pictures, don’t want to bore you to death.
Also, in the case of these flowers, they also had a lovely scent. Something that has been bred out of so many rose hybrids.
People around me knew all the names, there are serious gardening people on these tours.
Me, I love gardens but I’m not a horticulturist.
Sometimes a rose is a very simple thing.
At the Wentworth house, concrete was reporposed back in 1995, long before it was popular to do so. Here, a traditional use as paving stones.
Also used for a patio and pillars. The whole property used to be covered in concrete…. yeah, I don’t understand some people.
I tried to capture other decorative elements from the hardscape.
This reading fellow is part of the house.
The tiles are embedded in the walkways.
Love the lion.
Many of these gardens have outdoor rooms, this must be the original chia pet.
Metal sculpture as a planter…
… as part of the fence…
… or a lamp.
By now you know, I have my camera at the ready when we travel. I always look up. This decoration atop a 4 story office building downtown caught my eye, Sea horses. Look how well they are made to fit into the classic elements. The rest of the building was a very plain Art Deco, I wonder how many people actually look up to see this beauty.
Speaking of Art Deco, there were two such elevator doors in this lobby!
I didn’t go with a plan to take pictures of tile, although, Santa Barbara is the place to do that. Once I got home and looked at the images, then I realized how many of the pictures were of tile. This could be an old staircase, but I think it’s relatively new. First of all the curve, second of all, notice the anti skid on the lowest step? I may be completely wrong, it’s not the age that matters, it is that someone took the time and effort to do this.
Got to love it when a simple sign is made up in tile.
How about this peacock! The designer is from Pasadena, the tile artist from Santa Barbara. Their names are given, but not the year this was installed.
I know, not tile, but come on! Isn’t this marvalous signage for a club! Not only a hanging piano, but a massive red chandelier. At night when we drove by, there was quite a crowd outside. So I’m guessing it’s as good as the sign.
Why this says News I don’t know, but it does.T
I should have taken more pictures of this building. It’s a Santa Barbara Gaudi. Actually, the architect is
This is El Andaluz, I”ve looked online at pictures, I really should have spent more time here.
I think this is a mixed use, commerial and residential.
He has designed many other buildings, I really need to go back.
This is one of four benches out on the street.
As I said, I need to go back and look more closely
I’m on a mission to visit all 21 California missions. I have no idea how long it will take. I have no concrete plans. What I do know is that the last time I visited the Santa Barbara Mission, my kids were little. I never went there during the years my son was a student at UCSB.
This is probably the most famous of the Missions. It certainly has the largest number of foreign visitors. Junipero Sera is standing out front greeting people to this mission as well. I heard some of the guides saying that this is a life-size sculpture, he was tiny. I believe he was tiny, I also believe that casting bronze sculptures isn’t cheap or easy, so he probably was larger than this.
The sacred garden, inside the mission, the only reason it is sacred is because it is part of an ecclesiastical structure – there isn’t anything holy in the garden itself. Although what a wonderful quiet retreat from the world.
Fountains are a big deal in arid California. The mission was built on the spot becasue they were able to redirect spring waters here. A fountain is a very necessary thing, not only a thing of beauty.
Beauty doesn’t hurt.
The garden is in full bloom, I just adore purple roses.
… and was a little early for the cactus bloom.
The Mission is a combination of adobe and stone. Adobe came first. On our tour we were the only people from California, others were from England or other parts of the US. They wanted to know what is adobe and why is it used. Adobe is unbaked clay bricks. It is used all over the world in arid climates and is often faced with stucco or lime in order to protect it from rain. One question no one asked was why? Why not bake the bricks. I didn’t want to step on our guides toes – but here’ the answer, an oven used to bake bricks needs to things – to be very large and to have plenty of wood to burn. Wood is scarce in arid climates, so baking in the sun will have to do.
The mission bells, I have no idea if this is an original or a replica. What I do like here is that the main structure is made of stone, once they rebuilt the bell towers (earthquakes happen), they faux finished the concrete to look like stone. We’ll see more faux finishing inside.
Maybe this is one of the original bells?
This is a small bell in the courtyard. We were there at noon, the bells in the towers were ringing and ringing loudly!
Our guide was a secular Franciscan. Which means he went through the seminary but decided not to become a priest. He is affiliated with the Mission Church but he lives off campus with other seculars. Being called secular doesn’t mean he isn’t religious, he appeared to be quite religious. Most of the tour was more about the Catholic practices in this church, which I appreciated, seeing that I’m pretty familiar with the history.
For an adobe building to be tall, the walls have to be massive.
Plenty of faux marbling inside the church. Although I think the artists would readily admit that they went way beyond faux – into fantastic. 
I have to include arrested decay, I find it so beautiful. This is out in the cemetery, all of these textures just make me happy.
Untreated wood will rot, whether outside or in.
Paint is a barrier, but even it peels and the wood is exposed to the elements.
Creating a whole new beauty.
Tile fairs much better, unless it’s in the ground and the water leaves stains and marks on it.
In the bathrooms the tile is well protected. Tile details from the 1930’s is small yet wonderful. Notice how each little strip is different. The larger color tiles are cheap, it’s that fine detail that pulls it all together.
The metal work, the curves! the detail. The brickwork, also curving. It just makes my soul sing. Hopefully, all of these details helped the women, gave them a sense of peace, regardless of their mental situation.
A little griffin on top of an outdoor light fixture.
A door handle that wasn’t replaced.
Statuary used to abound. The man who created this worked for Gladding McBean, so he knew clay! A woman basking in the sun, I don’t think nude sun bathing was allowed, except in sculpture form. Here as part of a birdbath. Many more sculptures are now in storage, all of this was part of a relaxing southing atmosphere.
Rocks abound and rocks are used. Another birdbath.
A restful retreat all made out of Faux Bois, that Concrete made to look like wood. All the rage in the 1930s. A gardener worked here to make this location a real oasis, I wonder if there was water and a pond. I bet there was.