Sad to say...

Back in 2006 when we visited California, we took a day trip to Santa Barbara. (You can check out my blog entry on the visit here.) My great grandfather owned property there in the 1920s and began to build a home there. When the stock market crashed he had to halt the nearly completed building and in 1947 my great Uncle Hobert sold the property to the Holy Cross Order of the Episcopalian Church. It has been used for a monastery and retreat center every since.

Friday I was reading CNN.com for the first time in a long time and saw there had been fires in Santa Barbara. The article I read specifically said the County Sheriff had flown over the monastery and it appeared to be completely destroyed. I feel very sad but so thankful that my brother and I were able to visit there with my dad when we did.

Back in 2006 on our visit.

My brother found a few pictures online on the ruins:

It sad to think of such a beautiful place being gone, but we are glad no one was hurt. Hopefully it will be rebuilt and continued to be used as a retreat for people. I'll end with the paragraph I wrote in the 2006 blog entry:

"It was a quick trip, but a great day. I thought about what could have been if only the family had held onto the house and the land. But it's great to know that so many people make use of the land and the retreat house. I'm sure not many who visit know the history, but I'm proud of my family for leaving a legacy of memories. For themselves and for the generations of families that will enjoy it in the future. I feel fortunate to have been able to go there with my Dad to narrate. And my brother to pick on. An my husband to hold my hand. Hopefully someday we can take Joshua there and hike up the canyon."