Christmas 2013 Visit To The Mission Inn

Keep your Christmas-heart open all year round.  ~Jessica Archmint

Riverside Here We Come 12/23/2013

It about an hour east of our home but with LA traffic on the holiday, we departed about 2:00 PM and arrived at 3:10... Just in time to have a glass of wine before our 4:00 dinner appointment!  The Duda's joined us this evening!



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Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013 Highway 91 is a straights hot

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The Mission Inn takes a complete block!

Did You Know? - The Mission Inn, now known as The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, is a historic landmark hotel in downtown Riverside, California.

Although a composite of many architectural styles, it is generally considered the largest Mission Revival Style building in the United States.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has accepted The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa to be part of the Historic Hotels of America.

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
4,000,000 lights and moving figures everywhere...
Just wait until it gets dark

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Amazing at night

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Each figure is animated

After An Hour In Traffic, We Need A Drink!

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Sue knows the way.... By smell???

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
We stopped at the Presidential Lounge

Did You Know? - The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa has such a long-running history with U.S. Presidents that it only seems fitting to have a Presidential Lounge which pays homage to the 10 U.S. Presidents who have passed through the hotel. On the wall are portraits of Presidents of the United States who have visited the Mission Inn during their lifetimes.

Designed to reflect the stature of these lofty guests, bronze gates frame the entrance into the interior of the Presidential Lounge. The décor in this Riverside bar features a heavy beamed ceiling and dark paneled walls, which are brightened by an unusual skylight dome of blue and gold stained glass. To commemorate President Roosevelt’s May 7, 1903 visit, the stained glass window facing the Court of the Birds displays the Presidential flag and date.

The Presidential Lounge is steeped in history and was originally built in 1902 as a luxurious four-room apartment. President Roosevelt stayed in the apartment during his overnight visit in 1903 and President William Howard Taft enjoyed the seclusion of the suite in 1909 before attending the grand banquet.

In 1926, Crown Prince Gustavus and Princess Louise of Sweden occupied the suite briefly before being escorted to a festive dinner party in the outdoor Spanish Patio. By 1939, the apartment had been converted into a large room suitable for meetings or other functions.

In 1940, Richard Nixon and Patricia Ryan were married in a simple Quaker ceremony on June 21. The space was remodeled in 1957 into a cocktail lounge and completely renovated again during the 1985 restoration.

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Here's to you!

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Here's to you

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
A delightful place to have a drink!

The Duda's Arrived And We Went To The Mission Inn Restaurant Via The Main Hall

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Everything was covered in decorations

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
We found it and we are about the first to arrive

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Bob shows off his "Vanna White" skills

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Nicely done but you will never replace Vanna

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
A nice place to dine....

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
"I want food!"

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Sound familiar???

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Paul gets an after-the-drive relaxer!
Sour Apple Martguerita

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The kids look very bright and cheery! Nice to be young!

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Just us!

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
What is he up too???

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Ah ha.. dessert has arrived... How to distract Dad so I can have it all!!

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
"Dad is such a good dad!"

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
"OK... Let's head for the lights"

Festival of Lights Begins when the Sun Drop Down...Say 5:30?

Did You Know? - Of its seasonal functions, the Festival of Lights is well known for its nearly three million Christmas lights, and over 400 animated figures. Although the Festival lasts all throughout the holiday season, the day after Thanksgiving is the lighting ceremony.

On this day city officials and the owner of the hotel, Duane Roberts, give speeches before fireworks light up the sky and nearly 65,000 people attend annually to view the unique hotel and its holiday decorations.

During the festival of lights, decorations including musical angels, carolers on the balconies, and a Santa Claus climbing the chimney are featured.

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The trees were huge

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Decorations everywhere

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Hi there little guys

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Making our way outside to catch a ride...

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
It is now dark and everything is lit up... The figures are moving

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Guess who we spot.... The Finches, Roberts, and Kuhn's are also here

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
It was a nice evening but the fire added some romance

Let's Catch A Carriage Ride

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013 Take a look at the horses feet...

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Not a lot of cars... yet!

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
It was indeed Winter....
In 2013, winter begins with the solstice at 9:11 P.M. on December 21 (PST).

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Wonder what beauty shop they go to???

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Light and reflections of lights all run together

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The little shops are fun to visit

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
We are off....

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Bob and Robin

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
... with the varmit

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Just us

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Mr. Christmas

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Make him smile.... Show us your tooth Nick

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Perfect pose Robin

Off We Go For A Wild Rider

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
We parked 30 feet from this door!

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
This is what happens when the carriage is in motion

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The carriage stopped for a second

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The palm trees are lit up from top to bottom

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The front of the hotel was beautiful

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The side was lit up like a Christmas Tree

Back On Terra Firma... We Walked Around A Bit

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
The guards were on duty

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Everything was standing tall

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Simply covered with lights

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
Ta Dah!!!!

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
"I'll go right... You go left"

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
A glass of water for the road

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
...and a little pose....

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013
One last shot as we pull out and head back to "civilization"

Mission Inn Christmas Festival Of Lights 2013

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