Just Like in the Movies. Not.

Fire escapes are fascinating such as this one on the old Pendergrass Hotel at the corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets.

At the time of the Loma Prieta Quake (in 1989), the first husband and I were living on the second floor of a three-story brownstone apartment building across from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. When the building stopped rumbling and shaking, we raced to the front door, but it was blocked by fallen bookshelves and a whole lot of books. Without any hesitation, we ran over to the window and climbed out onto the rooftop over the garages. We started to climb down the fire escape only to find that we would have to jump over 12 feet down to the sidewalk. We did not.

Until that moment, I always thought once you got to the bottom rung of a fire escape, it would automatically and smoothly deliver you to the sidewalk. Just like in the movies.  Ha!

Hopefully, the fire escape of the old Pendergrass Hotel was never used. And, if it was, what did the people do when they got to that last rung?

It's Wednesday, so I'm hanging out at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday checking other J posts. I invite you to join me by clicking here.

N as in New Place to Eat Locally

Two days. In a row, too.

That's how many times I've gone to the newly-opened Heavenly Bakery on the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets. How long has this new bakery been open? Uhm, last Thursday was its first day, I believe.

They have very nourishing foods for the soul. The apricot danish. Yum. The pecan tart. Droool. The Franchesi bread. Just heavenly!

It's so nice to see Heavenly Bakery and other new businesses opening in downtown Hollister. Now, we gotta do our part and help them keep their doors open.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter N. To check out other N posts, please click here.

The Wild Mustard Calls to Thee

"I ate a flower and two tiny leaves," said the husband. "They were hot!"

That's what happens when your ride your bicycle down a country road on a beautiful day. You just gotta stop, get off, and taste the wild mustard.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter M. To check out other M posts, please click here.

A Kooky Glimpse of Main Street

Or, maybe it's just an image taken by a kooky photographer. It's all how you look at things, no? This is the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets in downtown Hollister.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter K. To check out other K posts, please click here.

inevitably

Click on the photo for the full size.

The other day I woke up thinking that I gotta take photos of the fields at the end of Hillcrest Road. Before they are no more. One thousand plus homes will be going in and beyond what you see in the photo. Santana Ranch. The development was approved last November. Anyone know when the building will commence?

I will miss the open space.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter I. To check out other I posts, please click here.

H is for the Hillsides of Hollister

I admit it. I am biased. The hills (and mountains) of Hollister are simply beautiful, green or golden. This hillside flanks the western side of Union Road, just several miles from downtown.

Nothing like the true Hollister, California, eh?

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter H. To check out other H posts, please click here.

G is for Garbage Dump

It's not what you think. This is at the top of the John Smith Road Landfill, the local dump for San Benito County. It is possible that one of these days, way, way, waaaaaaay in the future, the landfill may be a solid mountain peak like that in the distance. Think about it.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter G. To check out other G posts, please click here.

Figuring Out the Meaning of Figures

This sign is posted at Hospital Road, where it dead ends on the eastern bank of the San Benito River. See the man and woman figures on the sign. Can you figure out what it means? Is there no holding hands from this point forward? No frolicking allowed up ahead?

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter F. To check out other F posts, please click here.

E is for Everywhere

The wild chickens in San Juan Bautista are everywhere! Doesn't matter where you go in that cute mission city. So, drive slowly. Buk, buk, buk. . . .

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter E. To check out other E posts, please click here.

Dandy, Delightful, and Delish!

Here's a dandy field of yellow mustard, near the corner of Union and Valley View Roads. A delight to the eye and nose. Also, delish to eat, sauteed in garlic, soy sauce, and olive oil. 

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter D. To check out other posts, please click here.

Cutting Across the Field

There's nothing liking than taking a shortcut across a wet field. This is near the intersection of East Park Street and Highway 25. I saw mustard plants sprouting through the grass. Shouldn't be too long before yellow flowers will be blooming here.

Take 25 is participating in ABC Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends. Today is the letter C. To check out other posts, please click here.