Fiesta at Rancho Guajome Adobe!

Fiestas at the early and mid-nineteenth century rancheros had the reputation for extending several days, even weeks, and offered games, competitions, music, dancing and lots of wonderful Mexican food! However, the fiesta at Rancho Guajome Adobe was a day-long affair – a mini-fiesta compared to the fiestas of old. The uplifting sound of traditional Mexican tunes drifted through the air at the Rancho Guajome Adobe County Park in Vista on Saturday, July 19.

The adobe was built in 1853 by Cave Couts for his wife, Ysidora Bandini. In addition to being a San Diego County Park, the adobe and its surroundings have been a National Historic Landmark since 1970. The hacienda expands to 7,000 square feet and encompasses two pantries, two kitchens and several parlors and bedrooms. It also has a schoolroom, teacher’s bedroom, store and chapel.

In the 1860s servant’s quarters were added. The end room at the servant’s quarters has no windows, just an inner and outer door, and it has been speculated that this area was used as a jail.

The scent of hot metal emanates from an area where a blacksmith shop is located, and at times, a blacksmith demonstrates his skill creating horseshoes, nails and tools.

A docent mentioned that the furnishings are mostly antique replacements, as the family took their own furniture when the rancho became a county park. However, an organ that was a wedding gift from Cave Couts, Jr. to his wife, Lilybell Clemens, in the late 1800s still remains and is played during special events.

Another interesting story I heard from a docent was the fact that bats had made their home in the adobe some years back. They seemed to like the darkness of the pantry, and since they were protected by the government, there was nothing anyone could do about it. Then, a son of one of the docents had the idea of hanging some black mesh in the pantry. The bats didn’t care for the mesh and never darkened the door of the pantry again.

A large peppertree grows in the courtyard and the docents believe that this tree grew from a seed or cutting from the oldest peppertree in California, which stands just down the road at Mission San Luis Rey. The mission’s tree was brought to California from Peru by a merchant sailor.

On Saturday Tony Muñoz demonstrated his roping skills. The announcer mentioned that the skill was commonplace in a ranchero; however, it is an uncommon skill in today’s society. The announcer said that in the days of the early rancheros various families and their ranch workers would gather for fiestas and hold roping competitions during the festivities. Muñoz not only twirled his rope with finesse, he jumped through it and twirled it up and over his head without breaking the momentum.

Drawing gasps from the crowd was 13-year-old Luis Villa-Lobos of Bonsall, who demonstrated a technique of horse showmanship that was prevalent in the ranchero days. “Calla de Caballo” was a test ride where the horse performed various stops, starts and turns to show the prospective buyer how well the horse would respond. Luis masterfully handled the horse as if he had been doing it for a lot longer than his thirteen years. When he skillfully maneuvered the reigns the animal turned around and around. He also made the horse come to a sudden halt from a run.

Luis explained that he has “been riding horses all my life.” His father, a professional horse trainer, taught him how to ride. “It feels pretty good to be on a big horse – it is relaxing,” he said. In a reply to the question of how it feels to ride someone else’s horse he said, “All you have to do is treat it like it is your own horse.”

Isabel, 6, and José Rodriquez, 4, had fun at the fiesta, which offered many crafts for children including tables where the young could make vaquero vests, fiesta flowers and mini-piñatas. The children also had fun breaking a piñata. Isabel and José, outfitted in colorful traditional dress, turned heads everywhere they went!

What is a fiesta without food? The food, which was served for a minimal price, was authentic and good. Fiesta guests enjoyed carne asada and grilled chicken tacos, refried beans and rice, which was provided by San Luis Rey Bakery and Restaurant in Oceanside.

Tables were set up on a cool green lawn under the shade of several peppertrees. While diners enjoyed their food, Max and Teresa Gutierrez strolled from table to table serenading in Spanish to happy listeners. Max explained that they sing a mix of “Ranchera” music, which is Mexican, and “Bolero,” which I later discovered is very popular in the Caribbean, especially in Cuba and Puerto Rico. This husband and wife duo, dressed in their brocaded traditional outfits, has perfected a lilting style which was perfect for a leisurely luncheon under ancient peppertrees.

If you missed the fiesta, visit the Guajome Adobe on weekends for a taste of history. The adobe was built just a few years after California broke off from Mexico in 1846 and thus retains a delightful old Mexico aura.

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Rancho Guajome Adobe

2210 N. Santa Fe Ave.

Vista

(760) 724-4082

(Open weekends)

Max and Teresa Gutierrez

Mexican/Ranchera/Bolero Music

(760) 724-3785