San Ysidro Ranch workers blessed as limited operations begin soon

The staff at the San Ysidro Ranch has received a blessing as they get set for some special events in the coming weeks.

Full operations will being early next year.

That will include overnight guests in the rustic cottages and dining at the classic restaurants including the Stonehouse.

Rev. Pedro Lopez from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church came to the iconic resort to give the workers some background on Saint Isador the Laborer. He stood by the statue of Isador during the morning event presented in both Spanish and English.

The statue was recently put in a special place at the rose gardens where weddings take place. It was located in pieces and rebuilt after winter rains.

Comparisons were made between the challenges Isador had with his job that was also in an area with intense weather impacts.

“Isador himself was someone who was in a similar situation as theirs and had to deal with difficulties in life and the concerns of weather and the impact it had on the land. Then later on after his death one of the miracles attributed to him was that he saved the city and the fields from a natural disaster from the rains that were flooding the area,” said Father Lopez.

After some readings he met with the workers and looked over the exclusive property.

Last January the ranch was hit hard and buildings were ripped apart by the Montecito mudflow catastrophe.

The rebuilding process has been impressive with the grounds now restored and the buildings in the final stages as they prepare for full time operations in 2019.

One adobe has been on the site since 1825, and a large boulder from the disaster this year landed right at its doorstep but did not take down any part of the building.