Sacramento, And A Return To The Central Coast By Train

Had to take my friend's car to Sacramento in the middle of the week. So I went to work for a few hours, and then took off for the second time to Sacramento in the month of July.

This place always puzzled us when we would go up to Sacramento. Near as we can tell, it is Government Document Incineration Center. They also probably have remains of UFO's for all we know.

One of the giant Windmills near Altamont Pass.

Dropped off the car at my friends, ate lunch, and then he dropped me off at the State Capitol. A view from the East looking toward the West.

Governor's Office, with CHP Officer standing guard. Missed the Governor by 10 minutes!

The Cupola of the Capitol Building.

What's this? A valid elevator permit? I don't think I have ever seen one. Everyone I had ever seen was always out of date.

Budget problems are not new to California. See how the granite changes colours? When the Capital building was going up, funding ran out, and it was built only to about the 2 to 3 foot level. More money came in, and the rest of the building was finished, but the original granite was unavailable, and a different quarry was used.

A couple of blocks to the north stands the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The plaza in front was renamed Bishop Gallegos Square. Bishop Gallegos was an Augustinian who became Axillary Bishop of Sacramento. he was tragically killed when struck by an automobile in 1991. He has been declared a Servant of God who cause is under Vatican investigation for Canonization. He was a gentle man, full of Faith.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Altar of the Cathedral, with the Tabernacle behind it, as it should be.

While walking from the Cathedral to the Train Station, walked through McKinley Park and in front of the Federal Courthouse. As soon as I crossed the street to the Train Station, a Sacramento County Sheriff stops in front of me, asking if everything was alright. I had gotten some funny looks from people, but thought nothing out of the ordinary. Turns out that the Black Hat I was wearing is also the colour of a gang that is trying to take control of this part of Sacramento. I had never heard of it. I guess I have the look of a hard-core gang member!

Anyways, here is my train going from Sacramento to San Jose.

A view of San Pablo Bay form near the town of Rodeo, I think.

A view of the car I was in as we arrived in San Jose. It was a very nice ride, with different views that I have not seen in a while. Took a bit long though, and I still needed a ride from San Jose to the Central Coast. Would take it again though. Would like to see other places by train, like the East Coast, Washington Dc, New York and Boston. That would be neat!

July Vehicles Driven By The Mendozas

Again, thank you everybody who lent us your vehicles while we were out of a van (It is back, but more on that later).

Here are a couple of the vehicles that we borrowed over the course of a couple of weeks.

The first one that we borrowed was the little purple car on the right. It belongs to a Seminary brother, Pedro, from Sacramento. the first day we had it we went to a birthday party, but we also had somebody's van. Some kids that we know were not aware that we had both a van and this little car, and thought we all came in this little car since we were all gathered around it getting something from the back. It immediately got called the "Clown Car," and the name stuck for the rest of the time we had it.

The vehicle in front is a big old Ford F-150. The cab is large enough to fit 6 people! We liked this one too, and it immediately got nicknamed "Truckzilla."

What's that in the background?

It's a 1973 VW Bus in the Wild Westerner scheme! Perhaps more on that in future postings. It's a pretty neat Bus.

Beware Of Driving Vans In Northern California

In the words of our children, "Who broke it?"

When coming back from Washington State in 2005, we were in Lakehead up by Shasta Lake when our old van broke. You can see what led up to that here. We were trying to make a St. Patrick's party that our friend Pedro was having in Sacramento. This is the same Pedro who just became a Secular Carmelite.

Previously, our old van had the Transaxle fail back in 2005.

5 years later, we come ot Sacramento, again to visit Pedro, and the latest iteration of transportation breaks down. This time while going to a well known Ice Creamery in Sacramento, when the van would not start up.

The problem was determined to be the Alternator and the Battery. So the Mendozas are back on the Central Coast, but the van is still in Sacramento.

How did we get back?

Well, our friend Pedro used his car and his Fiance's to drive us all the way back home, spending the night with us. He then drove her car back, and lent us his for a few days. We then drove his car back to Sacramento last week. Since then, we have been lent vehicles by various people.

The Mendozas would like to thank all those people who drove us around and lent us their cars. We truly appreciate it, and thank God for you!

So now the question is, shold we be afraid of driving in Northen California, or of visiting Pedro?

We'll be seeing you at the end of the week, Blue Van!

Rite Of Admission To The Secular Carmelite Order

Last weekend, a good friend of ours underwent the Rite of Admission into the Secular Carmelite Order, making his temporary promises and entering the first stages of his formation. He also received his Scapular.

The Rite of Admission took place at St. Mary's Church in the City of Sacramento. The temperature was slightly less than in Hades, but with a bit less humidity.

There is a beautiful statue of Our Lady here.

After having made his promises, he receives his Scapular.

There were a couple of women who were also making their vows into the Order.

Scapular envy.

Congratulations, Pedro, on becoming a Secular Carmelite!

It was an otherwise boring day in Sacramento.

Or was it?

California Rodeo, 2010

The California Rodeo happens every third week in July in Salinas, California. Here are some images from Opening Night.

Parade of Horses.

Doves released after the singing of the National Anthem.

Bull rider.

Calf roping.

Amazing they get out of the gate at all.

There was an act that came out with actual Bison. You can see how large they are compared with the people on horseback.

Women's Barrel Racing. These women could wind their way around three barrels in less than 20 seconds!

Every once in a while, music would be played in between the action. One of the songs played was "YMCA," to get people up on their feet. Here, the Mendoza's make their pitiful attempt at the YMCA Dance. At least they are having a better time than Jose there in the front. Perhaps he is dreaming of being an Aztec Warrior, holding a lady in his arms in front of Popcatepetl.

Fireworks!

Yet another band playing into the night.

Here is a panorama shot of the Sports Complex from earlier in the day.

Every Mexican Man's Self Image...

After two beers. Or maybe one. Some with no beers whatsoever.

Server Discipline At Mission San Juan Bautista...

is harsh, swift, and severe.

MC: "Please say your Confiteor...."

Servers: "Confiteor deus..."

MC: "That's DEO, you insolent pup!"

Servers: "Please, Sir!"

MC: "You'll pay for your inattention!"

No Servers were harmed in the making of this small photo essay. Except for the two pictured.

Sunset, Crazy Bum Beach, July 3rd, 2010

Mendozaless

Domus Mendoza 2005 - 2010
Requiescat in pace.
Die 2, Julii 2763 a.u.c.

Ulysses Sighting. June 2010

Could it be...? Let's take a look.

Okay, this truck appears to be red and tough like Ulysses' truck.

Don't remember all the stripes. Looks like he got a custom paint job.

BELIEVABILITY RATING: 28%

While this truck appears to be huge and red, it is probably not him. First, his truck does not have the stripes. Second, it looks too small to fit people in.

Third, if you look carefully at the picture below, you can see that this is a Chevy, not a Toyota Tacoma.

Well, it looks like we flopped again, but tune in soon for another edition of….


Ulysses Sighting!

Happy Birthday, America!