The Other Clock Tower

Clock tower in Hollister?

I immediately think of the 106-year old clock tower on the corner of Fourth and San Benito Streets. But, that may not be the one that someone is seeking, especially if a person is looking for the pet store, car wash, or ale house that's by the clock tower.

Yup. That clock tower in the picture, which is in the Clocktower Plaza on McCray Street, near Meridian Street.

The Rock-Eating Monster

The Husband says this huge monstrous system grinds up gravel. I've never gone by it when it's working. Be kinda cool to see the monster in action. It's near McCray Street, south of Hillcrest Road.

More Photos of San Juan Bautista

This past week I've been posting photos of San Juan Bautista, the second biggest city in San Benito County. The biggest? Hollister, of course.

Here are a few more random look-sees around this grand old town of San Juan.

Premium Sweets

Marich premium chocolates at San Benito Bene.

Chocolate espresso beans. Yum.

Dark chocolate chipotle almonds. Yum.

Chocolate blueberries. Yum.

Triple chocolate toffee. Yum.

All these delicious chocolates are made locally by Marich Premium Chocolates. Aren't we lucky? To check out their other chocolates and confections online, click here.

You can purchase Marich chocolates at their facility on 2101 Bert Drive, near Fallon Road, during the week. Call first for their hours. They're also available at some stores throughout San Benito County. San Benito Bene, for example, has a counter full of various Marich products.

Vertigo's Pizza

The pizza at Vertigo Coffee in San Juan Bautista is totally yummylicious. I love that the pizzas are baked in an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven on Vertigo's patio, and that I can drink the best fresh-roasted coffee around or a local brew while waiting.

For more about Vertigo Coffee, check out this article in Monterey Bay Edible. Scroll down to the piece titled "Café Culture".

Friday BBQ

If it's Friday, then Mansmith's BBQ is in town. You can't miss their truck in the Bertuccio's lot on Airline Highway (aka Highway 25). The lot is on west side of the highway, near Union Road.

Mansmith's hours are 12 to 7 p.m on Friday only. According to their web site, tri-tip sandwiches are available at noon. Barbecue chicken, pork ribs, and tri-tip, along with beans and garlic bread are ready at 2:30 p.m.  If you want to order online to pick up later, click here.

Beers and Garlic Fries

Garlic fries go great with beer at Running Rooster, at the corner of San Benito and South Streets. The restaurant has so many great choices on tap that the Husband and I sometimes like to get a beer sampler. Yup.

Rain?

The other day, the Husband and I pedaled our bicycles by the tomato cannery. I felt very tiny droplets fall on me. I looked up. Ah! Tomato mist. The droplets even tasted a bit tomato-y.

Gas, P.U.

The high cost of gas, that's what's P.U.! It's summer so, of course, prices are climbing again. Today, the lowest prices range from $3.27 to $3.69. Heaven only knows what it shall be tomorrow.

It was a treat to see a few vintage gas pumps in San Benito Tire Pros & Automotive  on Nash Road the other day, which once upon a time was a gas station.

Ah, the old days when you pulled into a gas station and someone immediately came out to pump the gas, check the level of the brake fluid, and wash your front and back windows. And, if you asked, he would check the air in your tires. All that service whether you were there for a full or partial tank of gasoline.

Today I'm participating in Our World Tuesday. If you'd like to join or check out posts by other participants, click here.

Wine grapes

Wine grapes at Leal Vineyards, off of Fairview Road

In 2013, wine grapes made the top 10 crops grown in San Benito County, according to the annual crop report. The local vineyards produced 15,733 tons of wine grapes on 3,885 acres. The combined gross value of their wine grape production was $21,771,500.

Vineyards are growing all over the county, on widespread acreage as well as on small estates. Click here for a list of local vineyards—and wineries.

Drying Apricots

Tray after tray of organic Blenheim apricots dry in the sun at The Farm/ Bertuccio's Market on Airline Highway (aka Highway 25).  The aroma of the drying apricots was delightful.

Summer Morning

It's another beautiful morning in Hollister. This is a view from Union Road above The Farm/Bertuccio's Market.

The Attitude of a Reflected Image

Check out the reflection of the Veterans' Building in the windows of the Attitudes & Images Salon on San Benito Street. You might say that the reflected image has a pretty cool attitude.

The T-Rex on San Felipe Road

The T-Rex, as well as his companions, have been held at bay with let us hope very strong chains along San Felipe Road. Brrrrrrrrooooooowwwwwllllllll! 

They are the Swank Farms' dinosaurs. Come October, they will be resting in the corn maze awaiting the humans. Brrrrrrrrooooooowwwwwllllllll!

Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I'm parking myself today. Click here to check out other participants from around the world.

A Giraffe of a Bike

One of the bicycles that Off the Chain Bikes displays could be described as a giraffe of a bike. What do you think?

Sometimes the independent bicycle shop takes part in the local parades. Here's a cyclist riding that giraffe of a bike at last year's San Benito County Horse Show and Rodeo Parade.

By the way, this year's parade will be Thursday, June 25, 2015, in Downtown Hollister. Maybe the giraffe of a bike will be in it again.

I'm hooking up with Our World Tuesday. Come check out other participants from around the world with me.

The View from the 3rd Base Burger Bar Patio

The Husband and I had breakfast at the 3rd Base Burger Bar after watching the Portuguese Festival parade this past Sunday morning. Yup, the beer and burger joint serves breakfast on the weekends.

It was perfect weather for eating out on the patio. As I first looked out at San Benito Street, I was reminded of Union Street in San Francisco. No. I wasn't drinking a beer or Bloody Mary.

2015 Hollister Certified Farmers' Market

The farmers' market in Downtown Hollister is open every Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. until September 30. Whooo-hooo! 

The market is on San Benito Street, between Fourth and Seventh Streets. So, from around noon to 8 p.m or so, you'll need to find another way through Downtown Hollister. Truly no big deal for fresh vegetables, fruit, and meats; or for baked goods, prepared food, prepackaged foods, and food cooked on the spot; or for such other items as fresh flowers, plants, clothing, jewelry, and crafts. There are also information booths for products, businesses, and nonprofit groups.

The farmers market again features live music from local talents as well as culinary demonstrations. New this year is the First Wednesday Art Nights, hosted by the San Benito County Arts Council. In the works is wine tasting, also on the first Wednesday of the month. 

For more information about the Hollister Certified Farmers' Market, check out its webpage at the Downtown Hollister Association or the market's Facebook page.

Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I'm linking up. Click here to visit other participants from around the world. 

A Cute, Big Honey Bee

The San Benito Gold Honey Bee was holding court at last week's Downtown Hollister Certified Farmers Market.

I'm hooking up with Monday Mellow Yellows today. Check out other participants by clicking here.

M&M Plant Sales Garden Mart

Are you looking for a local independent nursery that sells drought tolerant plants?

Then, M&M Plant Sales Garden Mart is the place to go.

The nursery has two locations. Its main location is 410 Spring Grove Road, off of Fairview Road. In Downtown Hollister, the nursery is on 190 San San Benito Street, at the foot of Park Hill. If you're driving north on San Benito Street, it's easy to miss the entrance.  No problem. Just turn left at First Street, then left onto the gravel lot to the nursery.

The main site is open from Monday to Friday. The downtown spot is open on weekends. It's also open during the week, but I can't recall which days. Visit the nursery's website or Facebook page for more details.

Sun Coast Organic Farm Bakery

After a yummy lunch with friends at the 19th Hole Booze and Food in Tres Pinos, the Husband and I decided to take a leisurely drive back to Hollister via Southside Road. It had rained a little bit that morning, so life was refreshingly grand. How grand? By the time we reached the bridge by Thomas Road, I wanted some ice cream. But, neither of us felt like driving to San Juan Bautista.

As we crossed over the bridge, I remembered that Sun Coast Organic Farm made gelato. Whoo-hooo! Within a minute or so, we saw Sun Coast's sign and turned into the driveway. The bakery was open. Again, Whooo-hoo! 

We bought a pint each of handcrafted lemon gelato and blueberry gelato, which we ate at home while watching a Netflix movie. (I tell you it was a perfect afternoon). The lemon gelato had the perfect marriage of tart and sweet in each spoon full. Wowza! The blueberry gelato was delicious, too, with what I thought was a hint of cinnamon.

The bakery sells all sorts of handcrafted breads, rolls, cookies, and other sweet and savory treats. Their racks were nearly sold out. They do their own milling of organic grains, by the way. It's worth the drive to purchase the artisanal goodies. They also sell cups of coffee, so you can sit and enjoy some of your treats, as well as the scenery, on their cute patio.

The Sun Coast Organic Farm Bakery is open on Fridays, from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The gorgeous—and humorous—view from the bakery's patio.