Thomas Aquinas College

As we drove out of Ojai by the scenic route among the hills past the ranchos we saw a sign for Thomas Aquinas College. We thought it was rather a curious place for a college, it not exactly in the middle of nowhere but certainly off the beaten track. The drive-in was kind of hidden but we foundit way and drove right in.

The first unpleasnt surprise: it turned out to be a private school so not only one could not drive in but one is not even supposed to park outside the gate! We did  so we got out to take a quick look but the security guard told us that we were not supposed to park there. But when he found out that we just wanted to take a quick look around this unusual place he said it was all right. So we went in.

So as the name implies it is a Catholic school or rather college for high school or even graduates. The complex is located right at the foot of a mountain and it has magnificent view. The buildings have kind of old fashioned look not like these awful-looking modern day institutions.

 We visited a chapel: it was quite big, more like a church than a chapel with Vatican style altar. They were some workmen outside taking a break. Right outside the chapel you get a splendid view for what ordinarily would be considered a backyard.

The complex behind the main building had Spanish mission style architecture with its signature arches. The whole place was spacious and open, the atmosphere was quite relaxed. One could tell it was an expensive school. Well, it was fairly close to Ojai.

Krotona

 Toms and Gerry

We visited old friends in Ventura and found out that the city has grown a lot in the 10 years since we've been there last.

The changes were small but perceptible. Ventura is one of the old mission towns with narrow streets so it does not yield itself to growing graciously. As a result we have jammed streets, shabby houses and overcrowded parking lots. It is right on the sea coast so in a way it is a beach town, which means expensive but scuzzy houses and apartments.

But all that is just too depressing. We drove around the town and went to visit Krotona gardens. Krotona is a Theosophy headquaters situated in a small town of Ojai near Ventura. Theosophy is kind of a "new" religion based on the writings of H. Blavatsky. Well, as expected that place was empty. It has a nice cozy library with its perpetual guardian from the old days.