marla
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Baja missions
Okay nomads I am writing a travel story to run in May about the missions of Baja. I start out telling a true story, about my son's teacher being
anxious for him to give a report on the missions (he's in fourth grade) until she finds out the ones he's visiting are in MEXICO and then she tells me
he should not mention that part. Because the textbook doesn't mention missions in Baja south of the California border. I make fun of that attitude a
little and then I am going to write about some of the missions I have visited and about some of you crazy people who go looking for "lost missions."
Got any stories for me?
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
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Subastador
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marla, you must be familiar with academicanarchist, our Nomad Baja Mission expert? If not, do a search on him here on this board. He & David K
have a world of info on your subject.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by marla
Okay nomads I am writing a travel story to run in May about the missions of Baja. I start out telling a true story, about my son's teacher being
anxious for him to give a report on the missions (he's in fourth grade) until she finds out the ones he's visiting are in MEXICO and then she tells me
he should not mention that part. Because the textbook doesn't mention missions in Baja south of the California border. I make fun of that attitude a
little and then I am going to write about some of the missions I have visited and about some of you crazy people who go looking for "lost missions."
Got any stories for me? |
As a retired teacher, that teacher's attitude, IMHO, is unbelievable. The idea that she would not take advantage of this opportunity to expand their
minds beyond the text is lousy education. 
Sorry, just needed to vent. I sure hope that the fourth grade mission project at that school has not turned into the parent's competition so common
at many schools now.
Good Luck with your story.
Diane
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David K
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No kidding, saying San Diego was the first California mission is so retarded.
It wasn't even the first Franciscan or Junipero Serra founded mission (San Fernando Velicata was).
Heck San Diego north wasn't even 'California'... BAJA was and the land north of the peninsula was Alta California.
However, those 4th grade teachers are probably guided by available text and not open to learning beyond that point!
The first California missions can be viewed at http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions
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Jack Swords
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Not only that, but Father Serra (Father of the California Missions) came late into the picture and only headed one Baja mission then bailed for Alta
CA. Missions in California were established far earlier in lower California than in upper.
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coconaco
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California 4th grade mission projects are for teaching Ca. history.
Five years ago we got permision to do San Ignacio and of course I parleyed it into the family whale watching trip.
This sweet old nun had taught 4th grade at this grammar school since it opened in 1956. She welcomed something different.
THE MINNOW must be lost!!!!!
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Paulina
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Marla,
When my son was in 4th grade he studied the "California Missions" as well. He took in a collection of photographs taken in front of various Baja
California Missions, all with his smiling face, standing on the front steps, but ran into the same type of reaction from his teacher. Maybe it's the
old stick to the curriculum problem.
In 1978, my senior year of highschool, I was fortunate to be included in a small interdiciplinary studies class that included studying the missions of
Baja. This was considered a bit controversial as this was a Seventh Day Adventist school treading on Catholic territory.
We camped out for two weeks, the boys in one motorhome and girls in another. We visited as many missions as possible, learned a few chants, and were
invited to play "special music" a few times in San Ignacio, Santa Rosalia, and in Loreto.
My favorite trip was to San Javier. We were camping in the date groves in San Ignacio at the time. The teachers were having a planning meeting away
from the group while the class was sitting around the campfire. My best friend Cherish and I snuck behind a palm tree and eaves dropped just a bit,
only to hear that a trip to san Javier was planned for the next day, but only three students could go. The road was such that the jeep was to be used,
and besides the two teachers going, only three kids could fit in the back. They decided that the first three to volunteer to do the dirty work after
dinner would be rewarded with the trip to the mission.
I've never raised my hand in class so quickly as I did that night around the campfire.
The road up to the mission was rough. I remember it being hot and stopping in a couple of the water crossings to sit in the water and take a cooling
break. I remember the long dirt road with an island down the middle that lead to the mission, not very many people, but quite a few chickens, the big
wooden doors of the mission and the scary looking dolls inside at the alter. I have photos, but will have to scan them in. I haven't been back and
since it's going on 30 years now I think it's time.
P<*)))><
[Edited on 2-5-2007 by Paulina]
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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David K
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San Javier is awesome... original stone mission over 250 years old...
Here's a photo from 1976 on the roof... I picked it because you can see that 'island' down the middle of the dirt street leading to the mission.
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BAJACAT
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Sorry not good ones.the only thing I tell you that to reach some of this distant sites I scrach the hell out of my truck.for example San Ana (visita
for San Borja),San Fernando ruins.
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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BAJACAT
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On our way to Santa Ana
BAJA IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE, FUN,DANGEROUS,INCREDIBLE, REMOTE, EXOTIC..JUST GO AND HAVE FUN.....
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Paulina
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David,
The town looks just as quiet as I remember it was 2 years after your visit. Was that part of the road shown in your photo paved?
P.
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
David,
The town looks just as quiet as I remember it was 2 years after your visit. Was that part of the road shown in your photo paved?
P. |
No pavement that I recall, since the road was all dirt from Hwy. 1, Loreto. I was there first in 1973... Really special!
The other direction, from the rooftop...
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DianaT
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This is the other end of the street that shows in David's picture --- taken in 2005.
Tis a beautiful mission, and magnificent setting.
Diane
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marla
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Thanks for the cool photos! I just recently took some photos of a funeral taking place at the San Ignacio mission if I knew how to post them I would
(yes, I know you guys have told me but it's too hard!) Paulina that story is priceless! Actually San Javier is my favorite mission I've ever visited
too perhaps because it is inseparable from that tiny adorable town and also because a local showed us the cool overgrown mission garden still behind
it. But I certainly have not seen as many Baja missions as you have. Doesn't anyone have a photo I can use like the one that Bajacat posted of lost
mission exploration, only NOT behind a windshield?
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
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marla
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Registered: 10-29-2003
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I really like my son's teacher so I'm not going to mention her by name and hopefully she won't read the story! Otherwise, gulp...we'll see if I get
called into the principal's office
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by marla
Thanks for the cool photos! ... Doesn't anyone have a photo I can use like the one that Bajacat posted of lost mission exploration, only NOT behind a
windshield? |
Marla, I have my (several) lost mission hunt photos for all to view... I even have a Lost Missions of Baja web page! (the links to photos of my
searches to find 'Santa Maria Magdalena' are on the SECOND page): http://vivabaja.com/1757/
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Lost Mission Hunt Amigos
Amigos who have searched for the lost mission with me...
NEAL JOHNS
and EL CAMOTE (with video camera to document the discovery)
DAVID EIDELL (with cholla hitch hiker that Neal removes)
DESERT RAT with El Camote
PAULINA (P)
MIKE HUMFREVILLE
JESUS FLORES at Dick Daggett's grave
SARAH K with one of her red diamondback friends, ala Steve Irwin!
JEEP PETE in Geo Rock's Hummer
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dr650
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Marla,
First of all, good luck with your story. It looks like you've got a pretty good start, especially in light of the help provided here-in by all
these good Nomad folks.
It never ceases to amaze and move me to see the value of this medium, and the generosity of the veteran players. Thanks to all of you for the
information you provide, and the grace with which you provide it.
Murphy
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marla
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So David did you find Santa Maria Magdalena?
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65303
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The lost mission padre there made me take a vow of silence on that subjet!!! (see your u2u)
[Edited on 5-9-2007 by David K]
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