We had just gone to a wedding in Temecula, California. The wedding was wonderful as was every person that we met. Traveling to a wedding can be exciting and fun or it can be horrible. Our own issues were very unusual and yet we found a way to make the best of the situation. We started off our trip with my bag holding us up because I forgot to take the tool off my keys that was a small flashlight and screw drivers for camping. Heads up everyone this item is not allowed on planes! So, after being detained over a $5.00 item and getting our shoes back on we head to our gate only to find out that they have already started to board the plane. We thought we had come early enough but apparently, we did not. Thus, begins our trip to Temecula.
The flight was pretty uneventful until we landed at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. We headed to baggage as usual and searched for our one bag. After everyone was gone but us and one other family we began to inquire to airport personal that our luggage had not shown up yet. Surprisingly we were not upset by this. We just started to process of tracking down the luggage. The ladies with a baby were not so relaxed. The group was a mom, daughter and grandbaby. Once we reported it to the airport employee in charge of lost luggage, we decided to go get our rental car. Now this was a pleasant surprise. We loved the car. It was a black Chevy Sonic. Complete with a backup camera and it connects to your phone. Thank goodness that it got great gas mileage.
Next order of business was brunch. We started driving and I found a “In and Out Burger” place. Turns out that Steve had never been to one. Yeah! A first-time experience. The second one was, he had never been to a California Mission. I had been to many in northern California. We spent the better part of the day touring around the mission and taking tons of pictures. Forgot all about our suitcase being lost. The mission was San Juan Capistrano.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is a California landmark and the seasonal home to swallows. They are a huge event and well worth seeing. The Mission was founded in faith and continues today to serve as a reminder of the past, a destination for learning, and a place where life-long memories are made.
Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded as the 7th of 9 missions established by Saint Serra on November 1, 1776. It would become, ultimately one of 21 California missions to be built. Learn more about the history of Mission San Juan Capistrano. This was a beautiful mission. We enjoyed every minute of walking around the grounds. I loved the gardens as much as I did the buildings and the artwork
We met up with family at a local winery and had some delicious wine and got to see the grandbaby Matheus for the first time. He is very adorable. Followed by dinner at Robert Renzoni Vineyard. It was great. The dinner was outside on the patio with water misters going. It made it so much cooler.
We learned just before coming to California that the place we were going to stay had been evacuated due to a fire in the hills. The fire had come so close to the homes. The home we stayed in sill smelled of smoke. But we were grateful we had a place to stay. Still no luggage when we went to the home that the bride and groom had rented. A large Air B and B. In the middle of wine country
We spent a better part of all day Saturday shopping for new clothes and toiletries. I do not do well with power shopping any longer. But we managed to get a change of clothes and a whole new outfit for the father of the groom and a curling iron and hair dryer for me. I did not manage to get my dress until the day of the wedding. A few hours to be exact. I was stressed out to say the least. In the end we had everything we needed and were on time to the wedding.
There ae so many vineyards in Temecula. They all are so beautiful with all the vines and the beautiful buildings. The venue that the wedding was held was absolutely beautiful. We were greeted on a patio where we waited for the wedding to start. We got to meet and get to know many of the grooms friends and the brides family. Everyone was so welcoming. The wedding was held on the lawn overlooking the vineyards. The wedding party looked stunning. The arch had white roses everywhere.
Erik the groom looks on happy and excitedly awaiting the arrival of his bride as we also all look in that direction.
The officiant at the wedding was the grooms good friend from school. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding, not a tear was spared by anyone. The bride and groom wrote their vows and was very touching.
The plane ride home was a breeze after the fiasco we went through to get to the wedding. We did not have to pay for any of the checked luggage going home. You see they did find out luggage. It went from Denver to Seattle to Orange county and they were going to deliver it to us… except it would not arrive until after the wedding was over. They held it for us and they pre boarded us. Had and eventful and tiring trip to this wedding. Loved every minute of it. But, I was very glad to get back home.