The Diablo Range

I pedaled up Hillcrest Road on the bicycle this morning. Puff, puff. Seeing the Three Sisters and Santa Ana Mountain near the top of the road was worth the struggle. Every time.

Walking in Downtown Hollister

Downtown Hollister is a great town to walk. So many possibilities. Walk up and down the main street, side streets, and alleys. Venture into the residential area beyond South Street or to the west of San Benito Street. Climb up Park Hill and enjoy the view.

If you'd like something a bit more organized, check out these round-trip walks designed by the Downtown Hollister Association. You can download a copy of its brochure describing the walks here. I've summarized the walks below, providing links to past posts on Take 25 to Hollister that give you some background on the subject matter of many of the walks.

• Sacred Heart Walk, a one-mile stroll, begins at Dunne Park where Sacred Heart Church originally was located.
•  Downtown Shop Walk, 1.2 miles, allows you to see and visit all the shops and businesses in downtown Hollister.
• Historic District Walk is 1.3 miles long, covering the Downtown Hollister Historic District. 
• Fault to Fault Walk is a 1.3 mile walk along the Calaveras Fault.
• Vista Park Hill Walk, 1.5 miles, takes you up to Park Hill, the highest point in Downtown Hollister. 
• East of Eden Walk is 2.2 miles of some John Steinbeck history and movie settings for the East of Eden movie.
• Hazel Hawkins Walk, 2.3 miles, starts at the original Hazel Hawkins Hospital and goes to the IOOF Cemetery on Buena Vista Road.

Have fun walking through downtown Hollister!

Artichokes of Hollister

Artichokes grow in Hollister?

I always thought artichokes grew in foggy, sandy areas, so it still surprises me whenever I see the artichoke fields around here. Workers were harvesting the artichokes in the fields along Union Road this morning. One of them mentioned that Bertuccio's Market on Airline Highway (aka Highway 25), near Union Road, will be selling some of the artichokes.  Yaay! Beats driving all the way to Castroville for fresh artichokes.

Being Spontaneous

The last time the Husband and I were in downtown Hollister, we suddenly decided to pop into the Fifth Street entrance of the old Elks Lodge building, climb the three flours to the top, and walk down the other side of the building to exit on San Benito Street.

It's been awhile since we young old fogeys climbed more than one flight of stairs. Puff, puff, puff.

Alas, we couldn't complete our spontaneous plan. The glass doors at the top floor were locked. Oh well. The floor tiles up there are gorgeous as you can see.

By the way, we took the elevator down. Yup, an elevator, one of the few elevators in Hollister. Giggle.

How Tall, the Wild Mustard

In some fields, the wild mustard is rather tall. It almost reaches the sun.

Okay, I exaggerate. Although, I'm sure I could stand in a field of yellow mustard plants and you wouldn't be able to see me.  I love the sight and smell of wild mustard. It also tastes mighty good with garlic and soy sauce. Have I said that before?

Enjoying Twilight

Sometimes I want a red traffic light to take its time when there's an amazing light show at twilight.  I took this photo at intersection of the The Alameda and Highway 156 in San Juan Bautista, which I enhanced with the art filters in Photoshop. The Husband and I were on our way home to Hollister, after stopping for a glass of Brewery Twenty-Five's Many Moons Stout at Vertigo Coffee.  The cafe now offers craft beers on tap. Whooo-hooo!

Rock!

The things that catch your eye when you're driving a windy road. For instance, up on Lone Tree Road the other day, I saw this huge rock on a hillside. It was quite handsome standing near the top in the late afternoon sunlight.

I wonder how the huge rock got there and if it used to sit among boulder mates. From what I could see, the big guy is surrounded by smaller rocks, which reminded me of a sheepdog tending its flock.

It was a foggy day. . .

Kinda spooky, huh?

I wonder if the branches may be bearing blossoms now. I took this photo out the car window as the Husband was slowing for the stop sign at the corner of San Benito Street and Union Road.

Stop and See!

On the southwest corner of Fourth and East Streets are two fun shops. One is Bill's Bullpen that has the latest sports cards, comic books, sports memorabilia, and other sweet stuff. Next door is San Benito Glass that offers glass repair and installation, as well as a wide array of antiques for sale.

Stop and see for yourself when you're in downtown Hollister.

Coconut Moons Stout

Last September, I drank a locally handcrafted beer that was deliciously the best in my book. (I wrote about the beer here.) Made by Brewery Twenty Five, I didn't think they could top their Many Moons Stout. Ha!

One month ago (January 23), at Running Rooster, the Husband and I drank what I consider the best handcrafted beer I've tasted thus far. Coconut Moons Stout, which is also made by Brewery Twenty Five. Mmmmmmmm.  We paired the beer with a slice of rich thick chocolate cake. A sip of beer, a bite of cake. Repeat. Repeat. Again, repeat. Yummmmmmmmm. 

Day Dreaming

This stairway to no where is by the mural on San Benito Street, which is next to The Garden Mart and across from Burger Factory.  Can anyone else imagine Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Jimmy Cagney, or Savion Glover doing a grand tap dance routine up and down these steps? Giggle.

A Southeasterly View of Hollister

This past January, I took this photo from Park Hill. Can you tell where San Benito Street is? See those tall white buildings on the right in the distance? That's Hazel Hawkins Hospital.

Saturday in the Park

Got kids or grandkids? Fun is waiting for them and you on top of Park Hill.

A few weeks ago, the Husband and I wandered around the playground equipment that was recently installed. It was very tempting to test everything out. Okay, we did bang out a few beats on the plastic drums. They sounded like real drums! Giggle.

Want to know some cool history about Park Hill, besides old fogeys telling you that when they were kids they rolled down the hill on cardboard? Check out Vista Park Hill. What's in a Name? by Robin Pollard at Benitolink.

I Like My Coffee Black

Have you read about the study that states people who drink black coffee are more likely to be psychotic?

Yeah, right. I'm with this writer who says the study is bunk. And, if it is true? Not to worry about me going all off. I don't drink coffee everyday anymore. When I do want a now-and-then cup of delicious, rich black coffee, I head over to Vertigo in San Juan Bautista.

Did you know that Vertigo now carries pastries from El Nopal Bakery of Hollister?  Yummmmmm.

Afternoon Reflections

The Husband and I were driving north on West Street when I noticed the trees' reflections in the windows of the San Benito County Administration Building. Do you think trees preen before their reflections like many of us humans do? Giggle. 

A Look at the Diablos from Downtown

I'm always surprised when I see the mountains from Fourth Street in Downtown Hollister, especially when the mountain sides are green. Joyful!

Back Live at Take 25 to Hollister

Hello Dear Readers!

Hope you've been enjoying the great weather—both the bright, sunny days and the wonderful wet ones.

I almost didn't want to come back today. I even wrote a new message to continue enjoying the archives for a week or so. But, then, I started playing with some of the photos I took recently. Giggle. That's all it took to get me going.

Today's photo, rendered in the Photoshop filters, is of the hillside near the Union Road and Highway 156 intersection. Uhmmmm. I love the sight of yellow mustard. See you tomorrow.

-- Su-sieee! Mac

Digging into the Archives: Day 46

From August 27, 2015:
Up Close — The Five Palms

I'm taking a break from blogging. Until February 16, 2016, I'll be posting photos from my archive. I will continue to post links of interest and occasional new photos daily at the Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page.

Digging into the Archives: Day 45

From December 17, 2014:
Rising Mist in San Juan Valley

I'm taking a break from blogging. Until February 16, 2016, I'll be posting photos from my archive. I will continue to post links of interest and occasional new photos daily at the Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page.

Digging into the Archives: Day 44

From July 23, 2013:
Indian Canyon Storytelling and Indigenous Gathering

I'm taking a break from blogging. Until February 16, 2016, I'll be posting photos from my archive. I will continue to post links of interest and occasional new photos daily at the Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page.