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.

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Signs of San Juan Bautista

About seven miles west of Hollister is the second biggest city in San Benito County -- San Juan Bautista. In 2013, the U.S. Census estimated its population to be 1,922.  It's a quaint town to wander around, especially if you're into exploring California history. The city was named after Mission San Juan Bautista, the fifteenth in the chain of 21 missions that the Spanish Franciscan friars built between San Diego and Sonoma.

The grounds of Carl Martin Luck Memorial Library and the adjoining Carl Martin Luck Museum and Carl Martin Luck Memorial Park were donated to the city by Francisca Luck, the daughter of Mr. Carl Martin Luck, when she passed away in 1974. She stipulated in her will that the property be used for a library, museum, and park complex in honor of the memory of her father, who operated a gas station there. Today, the renovated gas station is the museum. 

Every holiday season for the past 30-some years, the city puts up its beautifully hand painted wooden icons along Third Street, the city's main street. Restored in 2010 by local artists, the icons honor the saints for which the California missions were named.

Along with its history, San Juan Bautista offers visitors a richness in art and theater -- El Teatro Campesiño is based here, as well as a variety of shops and restaurants to enjoy. To start your exploration, check out this online guide of San Juan Bautista.

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The Historic Path Below Old Mission San Juan Bautista

Below Old Mission San Juan Bautista is a short and easy walking path that overlooks the San Andreas Fault. We've been having some good rocking and rolling lately, by the way. Small healthy earthquakes in the threes and fours on the Richter magnitude scale to ease the tension of the fault. So, I hope.

Okay, back to the path which is actually a segment of the original El Camino Real that ran between the 21 California missions, from San Diego to Sonoma. You can access the path either by the stairs next to the mission or from the south at the end of Franklin Street. The path swings behind the mission and up to First Street by Casa Maria. Unfortunately, you are only allowed to walk part way on the path.

It's worth the venture, considering that you'd be briefly walking on the historic El Camino Real alongside the amazing San Andreas Fault as well as seeing some gorgeous views of San Juan Valley.

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!

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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.

A Beautiful Day for a Lot of Something

Hooking up with Skywatch Friday

Today is going to be hopping around San Benito County.  These are just a few of the events:

The Red Ribbon 5K is going on right now in Historical Downtown Hollister. Participants are running a 3.1 mile in the shape of an H.  Post-run festivities continue until 12:30 p.m.

The Cole Canyon Farm , a certified organic nursery in Aromas, is holding an Open Greenhouse Sale to the public, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's located at 1495 Cole Road. 

The San Juan Bautista Historical Society is holding an open house from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Carl M. Luck Memorial Park in San Juan Bautista. The celebration includes a presentation of the Digital San Juan Bautista Project (hundreds of old photos of the City and its residents), used book sale, silent auction, and BBQ, among other activities. This is a free event, open to the public.

The Second Annual San Benito Olive Festival, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, at Bolado Park in Tres Pinos, about 8 miles south of Hollister on Highway 25. The gourmet celebration features several celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, live bands, restaurant fare, artisanal food sampling, wine and craft beer tasting, and much, much more.  Tickets are still available at the gate.

Heading Up to the Clouds

Yesterday was a gorgeous day to hike the Anza Trail, a mile or so south of the City of San Juan Bautista. The trail, formally known as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, is 1,200 miles long, stretching from Nogales, Arizona to the Carquinez Straits in Contra Costa, California.

The local segment of the trail used to be the Old Stage Road, on which once upon a time stage coaches ran between San Juan Bautista and Salinas. The first mile of the 4.5 trail is a rather steep climb that I wonder how often passengers had to get off the coach and walk.

Today, I'm hanging out at The Weekend in Black and White. Click here to see other black and white photos by bloggers around the world.

Popol Vuh: Heart of Heaven

Over the next two weekends, El Teatro Campesiño, of San Juan Bautista, will offer free outdoor performances of Popol Vuh: Heart of Heaven in San Juan Bautista and Hollister. This original play is based on the sacred creation book, Popol Vuh, of the Mayans. It uses large-scale puppets, pageantry, and live music to tell the story of how the creators formed the  universe and earth. The play is narrated in English, Spanish, and Qu'iche Mayan. For a detailed description of the play, please click here.

On August 30, August 31, and September 1, at 3 PM,  Popol Vuh: Heart of Heaven, will be performed at the San Juan Soccer Field in San Juan Bautista. On September 6 and 7, at 3 PM, it will be presented at Dunne Park in Hollister. 

Remember, it's free! And, it's perfect for children of all ages. Be sure to bring your hats, water, and chairs.

San Juan Bautista Antique and Collectibles Fair

Tomorrow, August 10, 2014, will be the 50th annual Antique and Collectibles Fair in San Juan Bautista. Sellers from all over will offer antiques, collectibles, and memorabilia that were produced before 1975. The event will run from 8 AM to 4 PM. Admission will be free.

Steve Yvaska, antiques appraiser and San Jose Mercury columnist of "The Seasoned Collector" will offer free appraisals from 10 AM to 2 PM in front of the Union Bank Building, at Third and Mariposa Streets. Folks may bring one or two items for him to evaluate.

The outdoor Antique and Collectibles Fair, a fundraising event, is sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista.

Hysterical San Juan Bautista

This sign in San Juan Bautista always cracks me up. But, I wouldn't be surprised if something did happen on that particular spot on Third Street.

How About Those Chickens in San Juan Bautista

Have a great day!

The Procession

Yesterday, the Old Mission San Juan Bautista Fiesta began with a procession from the church to the historic olive grounds next to the mission. This year, it was lead by the the  Grupo Nauhcampa, a conchero dance group from Gilroy.

At the end of the mass, the dancers lined the center aisle and, dancing backwards, moved their way down the aisle and out the church. They danced to the statue of St. John the Baptist in front of the church where they performed a ceremonial blessing to the four directions. From there, the dancers, Father Jim, and some parishioners weaved their way around the plaza and down to Third Street and through part of San Juan Bautista and up to the olive grounds.

To see  photos of the procession and the fiesta, head over to  this Take 25 to Hollister album on Facebook.

2014 Old Mission San Juan Bautista Fiesta

The statue of John the Baptist was created by Sculptor Thomas Marsh.

Today, the Mission San Juan Bautista congregation is having its annual celebration to honor St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the old mission, and its 202nd anniversary.

The fiesta runs from 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free to everyone.

The celebration begins with a procession led by the  Grupo Nauhcampa at 11 AM to the historic olive grove, on the north side of the Mission, where the fiesta is held. They lead another procession at 1 PM.

Live entertainment is provided by the Mariachi Juvenil Alma de Mexico and the Nu-Horizon Band. The traditional chicken barbecue lunch plate, with sides of chili beans, salad and French bread, is available for purchase at $8/plate.

For further details, check out the article by Ernest Franco in the Out and About Magazine.

The View through a Cemetery Gate

This is a view of San Juan Valley through the cemetery gate on the east side of Mission San Juan Bautista. More than 4,000 Native Americans and Spanish settlers and priests are buried in the mission cemetery.

The Anza House in San Juan Bautista

The Anza House, or the Casa Juan de Anza, is one of the oldest buildings in the Third Street Historic District of San Juan Bautista. It was designated a Registered National Historical Landmark in 1970. The sign says it was built in 1799, but, according to this National Park Service article, the building was constructed in 1834.  Jose Tiburcio Castro, a Mexican official, built it for his residence.

Still, there could be truth in the sign. I've got it on my list to find out the story. I'm also curious as to how the building became known as the Anza House. Anyone know?

5/28 update: According to the research done by the current owner of the Anza House, the original construction date is 1799. Read the owner's comment below for more details. Thank you!

If Injured Plants Had a Say

I don't get why people have to carve out messages on trees, cactuses, and other plants. Do you? Plants are living creatures, too, just like us, humans. After all, they perform an essential role in our ability to live everyday.

This particular tree is on Fourth Street in San Juan Bautista. It actually looks like its hurt, sad, and a bit angry. If it had a say in the matter, would it agree to have been carved? Would it retaliate by sending word to all the trees and plants to stop making oxygen for those persons who maimed it?

Happy Mother's Day!

San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

Coming Up: Flower Tours in San Benito County

April showers bring May flowers. Okay, we didn't get many April showers this year, but there are still many May flowers to behold. And, over the next two weekends, a couple of flower rambles are available for your pleasure.

May 12 in Aromas

Featuring Artists in the Gardens is the theme of the Aromas Country Garden Tour this Saturday, May 10, in Aromas, about 17 miles west of Hollister.  Sponsored by the Aromas Hills Artisans and the Arts Council for Monterey Council, this annual event will run from 10 AM to 4 PM. Participants will be able to take a self-guided tour through ten gardens, including cottage gardens. Master gardeners will be available to answer questions. In addition, artists will be showing and selling their paintings, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, and other art works along the garden paths.

Tickets are $15 each or $25 for 2 persons.  Tickets are $10 for seniors, who are 65 years or older, and members of  the Aromas Hills Artisans. Both tickets and tour maps will be available on May 12 at the Aromas Community Grange on the corner of Rose and Bardue.  

For for information, visit the Aromas Hill Artisans web site or read Aromas Country Garden Tour 2014 at the Times Publishing Group web site.

May 17 in San Juan Bautista

Did you know that San Juan Bautista has many heritage roses, some of which were planted in the mid-19th century?

The opportunity to learn about the heritage roses at the San Juan Bautista District Cemetery will be available on Saturday, May 17 when the San Juan Bautista Heritage Rose Group offers a free Heritage Rose Tour and Propagation Workshop.  Leading the walking tour will be Jill Perry, the Curator of the Collection at the Heritage Rose Garden in San Jose. Also on hand to assist her will be Jeri Jennings, the National Convener for the Heritage Roses Group.

The tour will include collecting rose cuttings for a propagation workshop to be held at the historic Marentis House on 45 Monterey Street.

The tour will start at noon at the bottom of the cemetery at 70 Monterey Street. The propagation workshop at the Marentis House will be from 1:30 to 3 PM.

Participants are requested to bring a hat, water, pencil, and paper. If interested, participants can also bring clippers and gloves. For more information or to sign up for the tour, email Wanda at wguibert (at) gmail (dot) com or call her at 831-623-1672. Preregistration for the tour is not required. 

Field of Kale, at Near Dusk

The Husband and I ventured over to the First Friday Art Walk in San Juan Bautista yesterday afternoon. At the Mission Gallery, we listened to artist Micah Schwaberow describe the traditional Japanese moku-hanga woodblock technique that he used for his woodblock prints. He showed us the various woodblocks he carved for China Cove, Morning Light and the stages on paper of getting the colors, lighting, depth, and all that he wants to have in his print. The work is precise, complicated, and, I thought, very exciting.

Listening to the artist and viewing at his work and those of other artists were quite overwhelming to our senses. The idea to visit all of the galleries went out the window. We could always come back on the next art walk or just another day. After all, San Juan is only several miles away.

Well, okay, we did go into one more gallery, the Rare Light Gallery. Wow! Wow! Wow! said the Husband and me as we walked over the threshold and were struck with awe at the extra-large prints of amazing photos by owner Larry Gerbrandt. I love how he captured the wonder of light in his photos. Check out, for example,  his online gallery featuring San Juan Bautista.

Mr. Gerbrandt told me that the best time to take photos is at dawn and dusk. He said that he doesn't shoot between 10 and 4. Silly me. I told him how photos I took on a slightly overcast day looked great. He shook his head. By the time we left the gallery, I had a new mantra, not between 10 and 4.

So, of course, on the way home on Highway 156, I leaned out the window and took photos. And, yes, the Husband drove.

Finding Fortune in San Juan Bautista

This sign welcomes folks to Bella Dona, A Visionary Vintage Shop, on Polk Street in San Juan Bautista. Cool message, huh? I look forward to checking out the shop the next time I'm in San Juan. According to its Facebook page, Bella Dona is a retail co-operative, and this Sunday (5/4) it's holding a Vintage Market.

By the way, here are a few other events happening in San Juan Bautista today and this weekend. Lots of joy to be found at each one.

• May 2: First Friday Art Walk, 4 to 7 PM
• May 3: Living History Day, 11 AM to 4 PM
• May 3 to 4: 30th Annual California Indian Market and World Peace Festival, 10 AM to 7 PM
• May 4: California Airedale Terrier Club Spring Walk, 10 AM to noon