This morning I did what I’m sure many of you did, and I watched the coverage of the Remembrance Day Ceremonies at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Last year and the previous years since moving to Ottawa I was there in person, but this year watching live streaming of the memorial had to suffice. I missed being there and being able to say “Thanks” in person.
I have been reminded how important our freedom and democracy is by volunteering as an election observer in Ukraine 3 times in the last 3 years, where that is something that can not be assured. I will never forget those Canadians who have given so much of themselves so that we can speak our minds and go about our lives in peace; those Canadians who have given their lives or the lives of their loved ones, and those who have been injured physically or mentally, those who have given up time with their families and those who are continuing to serve in some capacity in the armed forces. Always an emotional day.
And then, I had an appointment with another Mission. This one in Ventura, called Mission San Buenaventura. This was the last mission founded by Junipero Serra who had previously founded 8 other Missions in California. On September 23rd of this year Saint Junipero was canonized as a Saint by Pope Francis you’ll recall from a previous post.
This Mission has a similar history as the other missions I’ve visited, of fires and floods and earthquakes but in addition they had to flee into the hills with sacred items at one point to avoid piracy. The aqueducts that brought water 7 miles to the Mission resulted in a bountiful and beautiful garden and even George Vancouver commented it was the finest garden that he had even seen according to historical records.
Holy Cross School, originally started by the Nuns of the parish in the early 1900’s, in recent times has come under the administration of lay professionals. The parish fundraised and built a new facility which opened in 2001 and the modern school lies just behind the Mission in downtown Ventura.
The Mission is at the end of Main Street in downtown Ventura so I took some time to wander some shops before heading off to the beach and harbour.
The beach is Ventura is long, and consists of various areas of public access, a public pier, State Park and at the far south-east end, a huge man-made harbour for both fishing and pleasure craft. It’s there that I grabbed some lunch at a greek restaurant overlooking the harbour, called The Greek Mediterranean Steak and Seafood. The food was excellent, and the service was terrific and friendly. I had saganaki, and a pear and goat cheese salad, and both were excellent.
Then it was back to Santa Paula for the evening.

Lois' Adventures 