Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Take 25 to Hollister Readers,

It's a day of appreciation of our world—our family and friends, our communities, and our environment. I wish each of you peace, joy, love, and happiness.

Yours truly,

Su-sieee! Mac

Weekday Morning in Downtown Hollister

I'm hooking up today at Wordless Wednesday.

Coming Very Soon: The Lights On Celebration

It's starting to look rather festive in downtown Hollister. The Hollister Downtown Association has already strung the Yuletide boughs across San Benito Street. With the help of many volunteers, Hollister Downtown Association will have downtown ready for the annual Lights On Celebration this coming Saturday, November 29.

To learn more about the day and evening festivities, including the Lights On Parade, click on the poster below. Or, click here.

I've joined other bloggers at Our World Tuesday. Click here to check out what's going in other parts of the world.

Skyscrapers in Hollister?

When I took this photo through one of the windows in the Country Rose Cafe, I did not see what looks like two skyscrapers in the distance. I just thought, "That's a cool photo of the trees and tiled roof."

I wonder what made the illusion of skyscrapers. Some kind of decal on the window, perhaps? Or, maybe, my camera caught a glance into the future high-rise campus of San Benito High School. Shades of The Twilight Zone, oh my.

After a rain . . . Mushrooms!

The past couple weeks, I've noticed mushrooms growing in the most interesting of places around town. I've seen them in the lawn at the medical complex on Sunnyslope Road. I've even seen mushrooms in the gravel in front of the new courthouse. Amazing, isn't it?

A Mooooooo-ving View

"Moooove along," said this cow on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. "There's nothing to see here."

I took the photo anyway. Ha!

Come check out other black and white photos from bloggers around the world. Click here to go to The Weekend in Black and White.

Looking at the Sky on Hillcrest Road

We've been having some rainy days the past two weeks Yaaay! The days following the rainy ones are often gorgeous, as you can see in the reflection of this puddle on Hillcrest Road.

Skywatch Friday is the meme for today. Come check out how the sky looks in other parts of the world by clicking here.

Sweaty Shirts?

This sign in the Hollister Cleaners window cracks me up. I haven't had any need for dry cleaning service in a long while, but if the Husband's shirts ever get drenched in stinky sweat, I'll be sure to try this business.

Today, I'm linking up at the meme Signs, Signs. Come check out other interesting signs in the world by clicking here.

A Setting for Sitting

My favorite setting for sitting in downtown Hollister is the new county courthouse on Fourth Street. The beautifully landscaped grounds is like a little park. And, the benches, as well as the red chairs at the red tables, are comfortable seats.

The other morning, the Husband and I hung out there while we waited for our car to be fixed at a shop a few blocks away. It was quite pleasant, sitting on what's becoming "our" bench, reading and watching the cars and foot traffic go by. I'm looking forward to when the trees get bigger.

Today the letter is S at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. That's where I'll be checking out posts of other bloggers from around the world. Click here to join me.

Cows and Horses

On Sunday, the Husband and I hiked up to the one-mile post on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. Eventually, we'll get strong enough again to reach the bench at the crest of the mountain, which is about another two miles. It was a great hike. The cows and horses were out that day. The cows looked to be enjoying the view as much as us.

Today is Our World Tuesday. That's where I'm hanging out, checking out posts by bloggers from around the world. Come join me by clicking here.

Good Morning, Tigers!

Nearly every school day, around 8 a.m., I hear the starting bell ring at Sunnyslope School and, a few seconds later, the noise of the PA system. A cheerful voice (I presume the principal) comes on and says, "Good Morning, Tigers!" When the weather is just right, I can also hear the announcements and  the daily joke, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by one of the Tigers. I love it!

Sunnyslope School is where I went to fourth and fifth grades in the ancient days. We had no school mascot. But, we did have more running and play space. Today, a lot of the open school yard and field that we played in are covered with buildings full of classrooms.

Yesterday, when the Husband and I walked by the school, we noticed the colorful murals hanging on the outside walls. Many of them look like the work of the Tigers. And, yes, I wish we could've painted outdoor murals back then.

 

Today, I'm linking up with Monday Mural hosted by Oakland Daily Photo. To see other murals from other parts of the world, please click here.

One of a Kind

Rather unique tomato, don't you think?  I wonder if it was the butt of all jokes among its peers.

These organic tomatoes waited patiently to be bought at the Pinnacle Organic Saturday Farmstand.

Stopping at Casa de Fruta

Casa de Fruta is a pit stop haven for drivers, including the men and women who operate those big rig trucks and trailers. Originally opened in 1908 as a fruit stand, Casa de Fruta is located on California Highway 152, several miles northeast of Hollister.

The fruit stand is still there, which sells fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts, dried fruits, jars of olives, bottles of hot sauce, pickled vegetables, and much, much more.  But, if you're hungry for a hot meal or a piece of pie,  head over to Casa de Restaurant. Just want to snack on candy and such, then try Casa de Sweets. Or, if you're not the designated driver, you might consider sampling Casa de Fruta's own wines at  Casa de Wine. The kids can have fun riding the Casa de Carousel and the Casa de Choo Choo, or pan for gold at the Casa de Sluice. If you need a place to rest your head, you can get a room at Casa de Fruta's Peacock Inn or a space at the RV Park.

The Casa de Fruta grounds is a good size, so you can get in a decent stretch if you walk from the fruit stand to the RV Park and back. And, if you walk by the trees on the east side of the choo-choo tracks, you can check out vintage tractors and other farm equipment. 

Oh, yeah, there is a gas station at Casa de Fruta, in which you'll find Casa de Burrito inside.

Today, I'm hooking up with The Weekend in Black and White. To see other B&W photos by bloggers around the world, please click here.

A Beautiful Day for Something

In this case, the something for someone was jumping out of an airplane last Sunday morning.

Nearly every weekend, you can see professional and novice skydivers float down under colorful parachutes above Tres Pinos.  It's cool to see. It's also awesome to be one of them. If you're interested, check out Skydive Hollister, which operates out of the Hollister Airport.

Today's link-up is with Skywatch Friday. Come along and view the skies in other parts of the world by clicking here.

The Wiry Dragon of Hollister

Well, there are actually two wiry red dragons in downtown Hollister. Both fearsome, but friendly, metal creatures sit atop Cheung Sheng, the restaurant at the corner of Sixth and East Streets. 

Rural. Rustic. And, Red.

This gorgeous scene is from the intersection of Bolado and Southside Roads, just below Tres Pinos.

I'm hooking up with Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Today's letter (I bet you guessed correctly) is R. To check out other R posts, please click here.

Changes

Downtown Hollister has been hopping the past few months. New businesses are springing up as well as old businesses are revamping themselves or moving locations.

Opening at 730A San Benito Street will be Forno, a pizza restaurant. Yes, the same Forno that sold pizza at the Hollister Farmers Market. Currently, the owners are remodeling the store front where Conchita's Bakery used to be.  As for the bakery, it moved to 710B San Benito Street, at the corner of Seventh Street.

Heading Home on Fourth Street

Fourth Street Bridge

I like it when the Husband drives because I can take photos out the car windows. And, that's what I did a week ago Saturday, as we drove back into Hollister via Fourth Street. Enjoy the sights.

Mi Ranchito Market

Gateway Palms Apartments

Lupita's Supermarket

Coming into central Downtown Hollister

Today's meme is Sundays in My City, hosted by Unknown Mami. And, that's where I'm heading. Come join me by clicking here.

On Top of Park Hill

That's Santa Ana Peak in the distance. Quite a different look from this angle on top of Park Hill in downtown Hollister.

I'm hooking up at The Weekend in Black and White, hosted by Dragonstar. Click here to check out other monochrome photos by bloggers around the world.

Another Time and Place

The Husband and I both agree that stepping into some alleys in Hollister is like going to another time and place. This is Briggs Alley, between Powell and West streets. Take out that modern lamp post, the covered car, and the electric wires from the scene; voila, early 20th century, perhaps.