The Golden Gate

The Grace Cathedral - San Francisco, California

Looking back on every trip that I made to San Francisco, I visited this place and each time saw something that I had not the times before!  Centered on top of one of the highest points of the bay city and one of the most historical districts, Nob Hill, as well.  A little bit of history on this now cathedral, it was founded in the year of the Gold Rush - 1849.  Then, just a small parish later grew into the Grace Church.  Following the catastrophic earthquake of 1906, plans to build a cathedral for the Episcopalian Diocese were in order by the help of the Crocker Family. 

Of all the works of art housed in the Grace Cathedral from the murals of De Rosen to the stained glass windows, my personal favorite are the Ghiberti doors.  On the western entrance beneath the two bell towers stand these amazing doors.  Known as the Gates to Paradise, this replica was made from the Florence Baptistery, although the original doors have their own unique history as well, they are now keep on display instead of serving as doors.  The doors to the Grace Cathedral were installed just before her dedication in 1964, adding to the "Grand" opening.  

Following true to the French Gothic design, I always felt as if I had fallen into the streets of Europe when I walked up to these walls.  Standing as the third largest Episcopal cathedral, the Grace holds within itself numerous articles of history and art, along with providing peace and sanctuary.  One way to meditate is to walk the lines of one of the two labyrinths, one inside the nave and the other at the base of the western facade.   

These pictures here are taken from my seventh visit to the Cathedral and each time I go I learn more and more about the Cathedral!  This time, I was fortunate enough to meet with one of the five organ players for the cathedral, ironically enough her sister lives in Butte, Montana!  She explained to me that in the Cathedral that there are three organs. The Organ pictured to the left is the Alexander Memorial pipe organ, and here show a few of the 7,500 pipes to this Organ alone!  This here on the right is a secondary organ, a newer Aeolian-Skinner Organ later added to the Cathedral to fulfill the collection among the Alexander Memorial and the 1862 William Davis hand-pumped organ.

The Grace Cathedral is mostly made out of concrete despite it's exterior appearance of stone.  The reason behind the building material and style is to withstand the effects of earthquakes, and with careful design and construction, this structure is able to flex and shift with out damaging or more importantly toppling the Cathedral.

The Victorians - Pacific Grove, California

Green Gables House

Pacific Grove, California: The city that bears the title of having 

the most Victorians homes per capita than any other American city!

 

Most of these homes are works of art themselves and some have even been bestowed with names and titles, in example in the bottom row of pictures on the left is the Daffodil.  I am guessing that the house acquired that name from either it's yellow color or the massive beds of daffodils surrounding her yard!

 

Seven Gables

Bewitching Blossoms - Pacific Grove, California

 

Every which way that I went, there was a burst of color and sweet aromas from flowers of all shapes, shades and sizes!  Not that I am complaining at all...



Pulchritude of Pacific Grove - Pacific Grove, California

 

After living in Monterey for a year and a half, I was still discovering new places and sites of this historic city.  Wandering about the hilly avenues of Pacific Grove and Monterey on this fog free day made for an excellent photo opportunty and great exercise although my friend that went with me on this endeavor might disagree! (He survived to tell the tale so no harm done)  I could not have asked for a better day to have a camera in hand being the flora was in full bloom along the rocky ramparts at Lover's Point and the buzz of the birds in the sea-breeze air on a fog free day! 

 

Downtown in Bloom - Monterey, California

Peninsula Pathways - Monterey, California

Bear statues in the Friendly Plaz

Monterey - A city of many "First's".  Monterey is home to Colton Hall and remains to this day the home of City Hall offices of the city.  The hall housed the first Constitutional Convention in the American State of California.  It was at this convention that the delegates of the then-districts drafted and ratified the first Constitution of California.  Considering that the hall was built in the 1840's, I find that fact amazing that the building remains in the condition that it is in despite the 150 years worth of devastating earthquakes surrounding the peninsula.  Then again, architects and engineers at that time labored hard to make sure these important structures would stand the test of time and elements.

Housed in the Casa Serrano in downtown Monterey which is one of many free venues that is offered in the city of Monterey and a valuable place to visit being the guides to this museum are also members of the Monterey Historic Society and can give you the In's and Out's of Monterey's History!  This piano here has a very unique story.  First of all, it is made by the prominent company of Chickering that was based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and traveled all along the coasts of North and South America, around the Cape of Good Hope to the City of Monterey, and can still be played to this day after more than 150 years!



Embedded in the walkway up to Colton Hall, this bronze marker of the Seal of California is about three feet across and welcomes visitors to this historic location.
The Path of History winding through downtown Monterey is benchmarked by these small plaques embedded into the sidewalks for visitors to follow.  This markers are written in some of the world's common languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, and Korean.

The Snowy Egret - Monterey, California

 

Spending a nice spring day out on the banks of the pond at Lagunta Niranda Park with a friend, she pointed this out this reposed hunter wading through the shallows in pursuit of a fresh catch.  Little did he know, he made for an excellent photo subject while we took in some sun and enjoyed the sweet aroma of the flowers in the nearby gardens.

Gardens of La Mirada - Monterey, California

 

I think these are some of the best garden shots I have taken, especially for my hundred dollar Kodak!