Big Weekend

Lots going on this weekend.
First, we went to Rancho Guajome Park in Oceanside. I had read about the Rancho and the restored adobe hacienda, but seeing it person is quite an experience. Unlike the Mission San Diego de Alcala, Rancho Guajome is still very much in rural land; so much so it seems impossible in this day and age. The Rancho is very interesting historically due to the vast amounts of letters, journal and other documents that were kept by the various residents over the years. Built in 1852, it was inhabited until 1972 when it was donated to the County (apparently the State passed). The staff and docents were very helpful and knowledgeable. My daughter enjoyed the fashion show of 1800's dresses that a volunteer put together.
Almost next door to Guajome is the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum. If you like engines, tractors or anything big and stinky and made of metal, this is the place for you. There are two rows of gas and steam engines. Not little toys but big old-timey engines. The gas engines kind of chug along but the steam engines are usually connected up to something. For instance the water pumps had pools of water to move around while a smaller engine turned a whetstone for a guy sharpening knives. Bengt could watch the engines forever. We got there a bit late so we missed the tractor parade and thresher demonstration. We did take a hayride for the grand tour of the grounds. Lots of old rusting tractors and machines; pretty interesting. There is another festival in October that we plan on attending. If your kids get tired of the sterility of LegoLand, consider the AGSE Museum.
Lastly, on a sad note, we parted ways with our dog, Sophie. My wife is allergic to dogs, but she thought she could handle it. It eventually become too much. We contacted the same family we got her from and they were missing her and were glad to have her back. Jaya was crying when they came to pick here up but we know she will have a good home.