The Mission Inn in downtown Riverside. It should be Mission-Style Inn. According to the sign, “Frank A. Miller (1857-1935) made adobe bricks for a small 12 room guest house which he opened in 1876. Over the years by successive building additions he fulfilled his dream by recreating this early California mission style setting of a hotel.”
Walking around outside. The First Congregational Church.
The Chinese Pavilion.
“Sundial Clock. Designed, built and donated to the City of Riverside by Imre Kalincsak in appreciation, pride and respect for the community and its citizens. January 30, 1968. Instructions for operating sundial are available inside library.” How National Treasure of them.
Walking to the main entrance and Las Campanas.
The Nanjing Bell. “An Imperial Temple Bell from The Manchu Temple in Nanjing, China. This 3500 pound bell was cast of iron alloy during the reign of Emperor Quang Hsu, (1875AD-1908AD) around the time of The Boxer Revolution. From 1898 to 1908 the Emperor was in exile under the rule of the Dowager Empress Tz’U-Hsi. The surface decorations are symbolic: characters in vertical and horizontal panels describe the maker, the donors, and the Emperor’s virtues. The bell was dedicated to the strength and courage of Quong Sei.” I wanted to know how the Mission Inn got it, but the plaque is only so big.
Cannons flanking historical Mission Inn plaque.
The outdoor dining area for the main restaurant.
Looking up from the courtyard.
Looking up from the table at an amazing Mexican food restaurant, Las Campanas.
My quesadilla.
Enchiladas, chips, salsa, and table-side-made guacamole with a hint of orange. It’s fantastic.
The hallway at Las Campanas.
After eating a bit of cheese and vowing to be healthy, the cupcake shop appeared. Oh well, already had cheese today. May as well have sugar, too!
Casey’s Cupcakes. The Food Network’s Cupcake Wars Winner for 2011.
Our cupcake.
It was dry, I’m not gonna lie. But that didn’t stop me.
