Showing posts with label Gabilan Mountains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gabilan Mountains. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Glancing Back on Hwy 156


The Gabilan Range looks good in the car's side mirror, too, as the Husband and I drive west on Highway 156, towards Highway 101.

Enjoy the sunny, but slightly chilly, days. The weather guys forecast clear skies for at least a week.


Monday, February 6, 2017

There's Fremont Peak!


For the past two years I've wanted to take a picture of Fremont Peak from the Fremont Peak Marker, aka California Historical Landmark #181, on Muckelemi Street. My attempts have been foiled by clouds or smog, until last week.

Do you see Fremont Peak up there in the background? You can't miss the pointy 2,799 feet high mountain and the TV tower to the left of the peak. What I like about this shot is the historical marker points an arrow to Fremont Peak, saying it's 11 miles away.

Here are two more shots of Fremont Peak that I took that same day.

From Highway 129 (aka Ohlone Kallentaruk Highway) in the Pajaro Valley

From San Juan Highway



Saturday, December 10, 2016

I Spy . . . a Jolly Big Red Rig


I spy with my little eye a happy-looking big red truck driving east on Highway 156.

This I spied as I waited in the car at the corner of Union and Mitchell Roads while the Husband bought honey from the local Honey Guy.  


Friday, November 18, 2016

I Spy . . . Green Hills!


I spy with my little eye a band of sunlight on the flanks of the Gabilan Mountains.  That was this past Wednesday as the Husband and I drove east on Highway 156 through San Juan Valley. Notice how green the hillsides are becoming again. Whooo-hooo! 



Friday, October 21, 2016

I Spy . . . New Hiking Trails!


I spy with my little eye a new place in Hollister with trails for hiking, horses, and bicycles. Whooo-hooo!

The place is called Mudstone Ranch, which is part of the Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area. Not to worry. This section of the park is dedicated to non motorized activities, meaning you won't come across any dirt bikes, ATVs, or other motorized vehicles.

Having opened this summer, Mudstone Ranch is located on Cienega Road, a couple miles north of the main entrance to the Hollister Hills SVRA. If you're traveling from the north on Cienega Road, you'll find Mudstone Ranch soon after seeing the Hollister Hills Barn.

Happy trails to you.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Soaring Above Hollister


Last Friday, the Husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary by soaring high above our fair city. Yup. Through Groupon.com, we purchased discounted tickets for scenic sailplane rides with the Bay Area Glider Rides/Hollister Soaring Center, located at the Hollister Airport. The local outfit has been offering scenic rides, soaring lessons, and glider towing services at the airport since 1993. About four or five years ago, it was purchased by Bill and Sharon, who are originally from Vermont.


Bay Area Glider Rides is the only operation in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas to offer glider rides to the public. Depending on the ride, you soar over 4,500 to 6,000 feet. Two of the scenic rides fly around San Benito County, while the third soars above Monterey Bay.


The sailplanes can accommodate two passengers, but the Husband and I purchased individual rides. The weight limit is 328 pounds for passengers, which uhm the Husband and I exceed. That was fine, more room in the back to sit.


For the Husband's trip, the sailplane was towed to the west, where Pilot Bill and the Husband glided above Fremont's Peak. I was interested in seeing what it looked like above the Diablo range, so that's where Pilot Bill took me.


Here's how ditsy I can be: I thought that the Central Valley starts immediately behind the Diablo Mountains. So, I was very surprised to see a narrow valley beneath the eastern side of Santa Ana Mountain, and that there were a couple other ridges beyond that valley.


Pilot Bill and Jake, one of the Bay Area Glider Ride employees, said it was a clear day for soaring. One of the best days in a long while. From the sailplane, Pilot Bill and I saw the San Luis Reservoir. I thought I could see the Sierras.


Another thing I didn't realize is how near we really are to the ocean. The Husband says that Hollister is about 23 miles from Monterey Bay as the crow flies. Caw, caw. 


Would I soar again?

Is Hollister the county seat of San Benito County?

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

A Tropical Vibe


Close my eyes for a second. Feel the sun's warmth on my body. I can almost believe I'm in Hawaii, rather than traveling along Union Road looking towards the Gabilan Range. Sweet Aloha!


Thursday, March 17, 2016

A Reflection of the Gabilans


I spied this reflection of the Gabilan Range while the Husband and I drove through the San Juan Valley after a very nice rainy day.

See you tomorrow.


Monday, March 7, 2016

Enjoying the View on Valley View Road


When I'm riding the bicycle, I like to stop on that stretch of Valley View Road where there's an unobstructed view of the Gabilan Mountains. Seeing the wild mustard and other wildflowers in the large empty field during our "green" months is a joy, too.

The property is up for sale for development of housing.  So, let's enjoy the view while we can.


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

The West View from Hospital Road


Not until I looked at this photo, did I notice that water is flowing in the San Benito River. Look at the bottom left hand corner of the picture. Sweet!


Thursday, December 17, 2015

Sparkle, Sparkle in San Juan Valley


At first glance, it looked like a lake. After all we did have a good rain the previously day, but, it was merely the sun's reflection on plastic tarps.

See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Pietra Santa


This is tasting room for the Pietra Santa Winery in the Cienega Valley above Hollister. I always forget how beautiful and magical it is up by the winery.

Pietra Santa is Italian for Sacred Stone. The sacred stone in this case is the amazing soil from which grape vines and olive trees grow to produce crops for award winning wines and olive oils. To learn more about Pietra Santa, check out its website or Facebook page.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Red Barn on Fairview Road


This fading red barn is near the south end of Fairview Road, just past Maranatha Drive. In the distance is the Gabilan range.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Local Corn Fields


That's the Gabilan Range in the distance. Where am I? Looking at the corn fields on Fallon Road.


Saturday, June 6, 2015

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.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

The View from Seventh & West Streets


The Gabilan Range stands to the south and west of Hollister. When I'm downtown, I don't think of it being there because of the trees and the buildings being in the way. Then all of a sudden I get a peek of the mountains. Wow!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Fremont Peak in Clear Sight


I had no idea that Fremont Peak can be seen so clearly from Mission San Juan Bautista. It's no wonder Mexican Commandante General José Castro was infuriated when he looked up there and saw the American flag and makeshift fort that U.S. Army Captain John Fremont and his men put up for three days in March 1845.

Originally known as Gavilan Peak, the landmark became Fremont Peak State Park in 1934. It's open year round for day use from 8 a.m. to half-an-hour after sunset. Overnight camping is available.

The views are gorgeous from up there. You can see over to the Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz coast line.

If you're into seeing the night skies, check out the free public viewings offered by the Fremont Peak Observatory Association on selected Saturdays, usually from Spring through early Fall.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Wildflowers on the Anza Trail


Yesterday, the Husband and I walked a bit of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (pshew, that's a mouthful) in San Juan Bautista.  Butterflies and grasshoppers escorted us throughout the walk, bees serenaded us, and wildflowers greeted us as well. The flowers showed up in all sorts of places along the trail.




Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Rising Mist in San Juan Valley


It's Wordless Wednesday. Click here to check out other posts with me.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Overlooking the Gabilan Range


The Husband and I climbed up the tallest hill in the old mission city of San Juan Bautista yesterday to catch a wonderful view of the rainy day.

Today is The Weekend in Black and White. Click here to check out other b&w photos by bloggers around the world.

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