The View from Ridgemark

In 2010, Ridgemark had a population of 3,016, according to the U.S. census. I had no idea that this private, gated community, a few miles south of Hollister, is a census-designated place until I read Wikipedia. Never too late to learn something.

See you tomorrow.

Irrigation Sprinklers

Irrigation sprinklers make a field happy on Cienega Road. Chuck, chuck, chuck, chuck, chuck, chuck. That's how they—the sprinklers—sound to me.

Enjoy your Saturday! See you tomorrow.

Handsome Old Oak Tree

This handsome oak tree—a blue oak, I think—hangs out in the parking lot in front of the Bolado Park Pavilion.  It's one of several mature oak trees throughout the park. I wonder how old it is.

Looking down into the oak tree.

Looking up the oak tree. 

See you tomorrow.

See You Next Year!

Last Wednesday was the last day of the Downtown Hollister Farmers Market. Until next year, at least two places to find local, fresh fruits and vegetables are Bertuccio's–The Farm at the corner of Highway 25 and Union Road and the Pinnacles Farmstand in San Juan Valley on Saturday mornings.

Fun at the County Fair

The San Benito County Fair was fun, fun, fun!

Here are a few photos from the Husband's and my day at the fair on Saturday.

The winning Great Pumpkin—771 pounds!

Sleeping cuties.

I love this gal's sophisticated color combination.

Food art by the Girl Scout Troop. 

A blue ribbon winner—well deserved.

"Cowboy boots & local roots was the theme of this year's fair.

Happy memories for these girls.

Pigs can fly!

One of the many amazing and beautiful quilts.

This is a cake!

One of several youth art exhibits featuring a Van Gough theme.

Until next year!

If you'd like to see more fair photos, check out my 2015 San Benito County Fair album at Facebook. You don't need to sign on or have an account to view it.

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Character and Beauty

This old metal structure sits on the hill above Highway 25 across from Bolado Park.  Its character caught my eye, as well as the beauty of it alone on the hill.

The Diablo Range from Highway 25

The other afternoon, while driving back from Bolado Park, I managed to get a clear shot at Santa Ana Mountain and Three Sisters.

See you tomorrow.

Here Comes the Bus

Yesterday afternoon, the Husband and I opted to take the bus to Downtown to pick up our car from the shop. We had enough exercise from walking home earlier, after a yummy breakfast at Cozy Cup Cafe. The walk under the trees on Monterey and San Benito Streets was delightful, passing by a lot of cute old houses. We couldn't get over how big some of the lots were.

This was our fifth bus ride on the San Benito County Express. The other times were taking the bus to and from the county fair the last two years. For free, too. I keep digressing, don't I? The bus ride to downtown was short and sweet. And, because it our first time, we made it a fun adventure. Not that were rubes about taking buses. Both the Husband and I used the public transportation system regularly when we lived up in the Bay Area for many years, once upon a time.

The Blue Line runs about 35 minutes apart so it was important we got to the bus stop on time. An elementary school kid was doing his math homework when we got there. The sweet kid was obviously a regular bus rider. He took us old people under his wing. He assured us that we hadn't missed the bus. "It'll be here at 2:55." He also told us that without a discount, the fare is a dollar.

As we rode along, I wondered if more people will take to the buses as Hollister gets even more bigger.

Olives!

The olive trees in the parking lot at the corner of Sixth and East Streets are bearing fruit now.  Be careful where you walk. I wonder if anyone gathers the olives.

Speaking of olives, the third annual San Benito Olive Festival is a month away—Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Bolado Park. Our county's fun, foodie event features olive oils, chocolates, Blenheim apricots, wines, and other products that are grown  and produced in our area. To see the growing list of participants, check out this page at the San Benito Olive Festival website.

Red Fireplug

I couldn't help taking a photo of this vintage fire hydrant in Tres Pinos. It's so darn cute in its redness.

It's going to be another hot day. Be sure to drink enough water and stick to the shady part of the street.  See you tomorrow.

Shop Locally: Market 25 on the Bolsa

Traffic karma was on our side and the Husband and I were able to safely pull into the parking lot of Market 25 on Bolsa Road (aka Highway 25) yesterday. Our first time there.  It was at the end of the day, so there wasn't much produce left. But, we did buy six ears of corn for a buck, as the sign along the highway stated. The corn was yummily sweet.

Market 25 is one of three produce stands owned by Uesugi Farms, of which the other two are in Morgan Hill and Saratoga. (By the way, Market 25 is located on the Gilroy portion of Highway 25.) The owners are not kidding when they say they sell local fruits and vegetables. Some produce, such as strawberries, corn, and peppers, are grown by Uesugi Farms. Others are from local farmers in Hollister, Gilroy, Castroville, and other nearby areas.

The stand also sells jams and juices from Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. We learned that every Thursday, around noon, Gizdich Ranch delivers a frozen assortment of their delicious pies. Whoo-hooo! Guess who will be stopping at Market 25 one of these Thursday afternoons.

To learn more about Market 25, check out its website.

2015 San Benito Olive Festival

2014

The Third Annual San Benito Olive Festival is only six Saturdays away! Saturday, October 17, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., to be precise. The place—Bolado Park in Tres Pinos, right off Highway 25, about eight miles south of Hollister.  

2013

This foodie celebration honors the rich agricultural bounty and heritage of San Benito County, showcasing many of the local olive oil producers, winemakers, food artisans, fine artists, craftspeople, restaurants, and chefs.  All net proceeds from the event are donated to nonprofit organizations in San Benito County.

2014

We will be tasting award-winning olive oils from such producers as Oils of Paicines and Brigantino Olio de Oliva as well as various types of olives from Papa Joe's Spicy Products and The Farm Bertuccio's.

2014

We will be checking out Blenheim apricots, balsamic vinegars, chocolates, and other culinary treats from Apricot King, Marich Premium Chocolates, Tantalizing Toffee, Vertigo Coffee, and California Balsamic.

2013

We will be trying out wines and handcrafted beers from Calera Wine, Guerra Cellars, Aimee June Winery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Grillin & Chillin Alehouse, and others.

2014

We will be having a hard time deciding from which restaurant or food truck to buy lunch—Fired Up Fresh, Kuki's Bowl, Paine's Restaurant, or another.

2014

We will be listening—and maybe dancing—to local bands of different styles, from jazz (Mr. O's Jazz Band) to doo-wop (The Flashbacks) and more. 

2014

We will be meandering up and down aisles, checking out amazing art, crafts, jewelry, kitchenware, gift products by Italian artisans, garden items, and other lovely things from such merchants as  the Gioia Company, Artistic Woodcrafts, McAbee Feed, and M & M Plant Sales Inc.

2014

We will be venturing into booths of the San Benito County Historical Society and other nonprofit groups to learn more about the history, organic agricultural bounty, and the world in general about San Benito County. 

2013

We will be enjoying the cooking demonstrations with olive oil by talented chefs, such as the ever popular Chef and Cooking Instructor Dorothy McNett and Executive Chef Cal Stamenov from the Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley.

2014

We will be tired, happy, and full by the end of the day. 

For the latest information about the San Benito Olive Festival, go to its website and/or Facebook page.  To purchase tickets online, check out its Eventbrite page.

100+ Year Old Palm Trees in Tres Pinos

These very, very tall palm trees stand in front of the old Tres Pinos School, which today is a private residence. Designed by Frank Delos Wolfe, the building is a beautifully crafted example of California prairie architecture. The trees were planted when the school was built around 1915. Click here to see a photo of the old school 100 years ago.

By the way, generations of Tres Pinos School children left their marks on the trunks on the old palms. Some of them are still visible.

A Garden of Delight

Should you take the nature trail from the parking lot to the Visitor's Center at the San Benito County Historic Village, you'd come across the caretaker's delightful back garden. Flying among the flowers, vines, bushes, and assorted statues and knick-knacks are various butterflies. I saw small brown ones, which slightly resemble Monarch butterflies, that I haven't seen since I was a kid. The caretaker's front garden is equally magical.

Friday BBQ

If it's Friday, then Mansmith's BBQ is in town. You can't miss their truck in the Bertuccio's lot on Airline Highway (aka Highway 25). The lot is on west side of the highway, near Union Road.

Mansmith's hours are 12 to 7 p.m on Friday only. According to their web site, tri-tip sandwiches are available at noon. Barbecue chicken, pork ribs, and tri-tip, along with beans and garlic bread are ready at 2:30 p.m.  If you want to order online to pick up later, click here.

Looking Upward on Enterprise Road

It was a beautiful blue sky earlier this morning. Now, it feels like the fog is coming back in. Unless. Perhaps. Maybe. Gathering rain clouds. We can hope.

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Diablo Mountains

That's the Diablo range to the east of Hollister. Doesn't it look like it's right behind the neighborhood? They're several miles away. By the way, that wall separates the neighborhood from Highway 25.

Drying Apricots

Tray after tray of organic Blenheim apricots dry in the sun at The Farm/ Bertuccio's Market on Airline Highway (aka Highway 25).  The aroma of the drying apricots was delightful.

Summer Morning

It's another beautiful morning in Hollister. This is a view from Union Road above The Farm/Bertuccio's Market.

Best Road

Best Road is a short country lane outside of Hollister that connects John Smith Road to Airline Highway, also known as Highway 25. It's a fun loop of a bicycle ride.