March 18, 2011--Polo Robles, San Luis Obispo and Atascadero, CA.

Saturday was a busy day with activities in the 3 towns in the title. We went to breakfast as we do each Saturday morning and then we visited 2 quilt shops, a mission and finally wine tasting. The two quilt shops I found on the internet were very nice. They were located in the town of Atascadero about 10 miles south of Polo Robles. I did my time checking out some Japanese fabrics, check on the batik fabrics and different patterns. It is my favorite time to be in the shops feeling and dreaming of patterns I would like to make sometime in the future. Oh, if I had more money, more time and design talents. Well I guess I make the best of my time and resources and I will stay busy.

After the quilt shops we stopped at a Mission in the town of San Luis Obispo. We had difficulty finding a parking place because the town was very busy and it was raining so you did not want to walk to far. After circling the mission a few times we found a parking spot on the grounds. The mission on a very small parcel of land in a town so parking was a premium. As we left the mission we found out there were parking garages a few blocks from the mission. That is why there were so many people walking the streets and mission.

The missions in California were the result of a blending of religious desires and political aims. Francisian Friars, especially Junipero Serra, were eager to found missions among the peaceful Indians.
The Spanish government was troubled Russian settlements and English interest in California. So Spain looked to the missions to strengthen its foothold in Alta, California.
In 1769 the Friars were more interested in converting the Indians than worrying about the Spanish Empire. They eagerly embarked on a venture that resulted in 21 missions along the California coast, including the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosia in 1772.
Fr. Serra founded the fifth mission and named it after Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse, France. The mission was called Mission San Luis Obispode Tolosa. It was in the open country. The town and the county came later and they were all named San Luis Obispo.
The mission today is an active Catholic parish church.
Some pictures of the mission....
                                                                                                                         


A entrance view of the mission





Sanctuary of the Mission--which is a working parish





The wall designs were done in 1999 by a local artist. The painting behind the altar is done to trick the eye. The Stations are very old from the 18th century and cannot be cleaned because restorers will not touch them because they are afraid they would harm them, so they will stay in this condition.

Winery pictures...

The entrance to the Eberle Winery-they had very fine wines and a wine cellar under the hill. (See wine cellar below)

Needless to say, after Walt had done wine tasting in 5 wineries he needed a designated driver. We arrived home very wet from the rain and Walt was very happy.