Onward and Forward Through 2012

Whoo-hoo! 2012! Here we are heading north on Union Road, crossing the bridge.

Salud! to you, dear Take 25 Readers. May we each forge confidently forward through another year.

Happy New Year! ~ Su-sieee! Mac

100 Things I Like: Southside Road

Southside Road is one of the back roads that run from Hollister to Tres Pinos. It kinda runs parallel, albeit meanderingly, to Highway 25. It's a more pleasant car or bicycle ride than the highway, that's for sure.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: Lone Tree Road

Lone Tree Road in the spring.

Pedaling my bicycle up and down the whole length of Lone Tree Road is definitely on my bucket list. What a satisfying ride that will be.  Until I get myself in shape, I shall happily take the jaunt by car.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: Frazier Lake Road

The husband and I often take Frazier Lake Road back from Gilroy so we can enjoy the countryside even more unhurriedly. As you can see, it's a great road to catch the sunset, and, I bet, a sunrise.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: Cienega Road

One of the great things about living in Hollister is that it doesn't take long to drive to the middle of nothing but hills, trees, total nature. Funny thing about Cienega Road is that time seems to go slower driving from south to north, then north to south.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: Agricultural Machinery

A bunch of birds running en masse down Cienega Road?

No, a tractor.

Just as cool to imagine or to see slowly making its way.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: The View from Cienega Road

This is looking northwesterly from the high point on Cienega Road. Until this moment, as I'm looking at the photo, I realize that way down yonder beyond the hill tops (mountain tops?) is more than just San Juan Valley.  Here's how the view looks during the Spring.


For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: Lights and Shadows at Sunset

That glowing stop sign? It's reflecting the sun's light as it begins to set over the hills. You're looking at the southwest corner of the intersection at Shore Road and San Felipe Road, also known as Dunnville Corners.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: Pedaling About

I'm pedaling east on McCloskey Road.
Slowly, but surely.

Hollister is a great place to ride your bicycle. You can go up and down hills as far away as you want. Or, just pedal into and around town to do errands. The husband and I like to do both. We haven't done much lately, and I miss it.

If you're into cycling, check out the Condor Classic on October 22. There are several rides, from 10 miles to 100 miles, starting from San Benito High School. This is its third year.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: The San Benito River

San Benito River on Southside Road, below Tres Pinos, in February.

The San Benito River starts at San Benito Mountain, the highest peak in the Diablo range in our county. The river runs northwesterly, for about 109 miles, to its end at Chittenden Pass (southeast of San Juan Bautista). It used to be that kids would swim in the river during the hot summer days. Today, no visible water runs through it, except for during the rainy months.

Here are some interesting pages about San Benito River to check out.

The Pajaro River Watershed—San Benito Part I
The Mighty San Benito
Pleistocene Lake San Benito

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link. 

Taco Truck on the Go

"Stop!"

It was a good thing no one was behind us when I requested the husband to stop suddenly just as he turned onto Prescott Road from whatever road we were on as we wandered through San Juan Valley.

The taco truck was too cute not to take a photo of it.

San Juan Grade Road

"Where does this road go?" asked the husband, as we kept straight rather than turn left towards the Anza Trail in San Juan Bautista.

"We've driven this before. It comes out on Highway 101 by the eucalyptus grove," I answered.

"I don't remember driving this," he said.

"We have," I said.

I was wrong, and so was the husband. We had driven it before. Just last year, in fact. It was the back road to Salinas. We didn't recognize it, I suppose, because of how green the hills were. It was so worth the drive forth and back on it that late afternoon.

Another View from Cienega Road

This is the view as you travel north on Cienega Road towards Highway 25.  See the trees at the foot of the mountain? That's Paicines Ranch. They sell great tasting grass-fed beef.

For a view at the other end of Cienega Road, click here.

Looking Down From Cienega Road

One of my favorite back roads to take in San Benito County is Cienega Road. It doesn't matter what time of year. The road is now part of the Wine Trail. So, be careful out there.