Showing posts with label mountains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mountains. Show all posts

Saturday, October 21, 2017

30 Days of B&W Photos

Swanson's Ridge, behind the San Benito County Historical Park and Bolado Park in Tres Pinos

 Hey 'ya! Hi 'ya! How 'ya?

Just wanted to let you know that I've given myself a 30-day challenge of posting new black and white photos of San Benito County, in general, and of Hollister, in particular. Not here on the blog though, but at the Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page, which you'll find here.

I invite you to come check out the photos.  Today is Day 2.

See 'ya!

Update: Here's the Facebook link to the 30 Days of B & W Photos. Enjoy!

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



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! 



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?

Thursday, March 3, 2016

The Diablo Range


I pedaled up Hillcrest Road on the bicycle this morning. Puff, puff. Seeing the Three Sisters and Santa Ana Mountain near the top of the road was worth the struggle. Every time.


Sunday, December 27, 2015

Looming Diablos


Don't the Diablo Mountains look like they're sitting right behind San Felipe Road rather than far in the distance? This was taken from Briggs Road, off of Bolsa, aka Highway 25.


Sunday, December 20, 2015

Santa Ana Mountain in the Mist


Recognize Santa Ana Mountain? It looks nearby in the photo but it's truly far off in the distance. I took this photo from Thomas Road, off of Southside Road.


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

A December Morning


The Three Sisters look closer than they are. I took this yesterday morning from John Smith Road near Guerra Cellars.

See you tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

The Diablo Range from Highway 25


The other afternoon, while driving back from Bolado Park, I managed to get a clear shot at Santa Ana Mountain and Three Sisters.

See you tomorrow.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Another View of Hollister


Yesterday afternoon while rocking out to the Moondance Band with friends in Dunne Park, I turned and saw this sight.  For a moment, I thought I was in a Swiss Alps village or some place like that.

That's the church on the corner of Monterey and Sixth street. The peak? Santa Ana Mountain.

See you tomorrow.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

A Few Rock Faces of the Pinnacles


See the faces in these rocks at the Pinnacles National Park. Happenstance of nature or did some people of long ago start carving the faces?  Interesting ponder, no?

Have a great Sunday. See you tomorrow.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

The Hillsides of Santa Ana Valley


Are the hills of Santa Ana Valley, which is part of the Diablo Range, technically hills or mountains? I've often wondered.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Morning After Rainfall


Yesterday marked a full day and night of rainfall. One weather caster called it a storm. Perhaps in some areas. To me, it was a delightful, gentle, steady Spring rain that gave joyful reprieve to the parched hillsides.


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

A Downtown View of Santa Ana Mountain


Here's another cool view of Santa Ana Mountain from Third Street in historical downtown Hollister. The mountain looks nearer than it really is. Though I suppose it actually is since the road near the base of the peak is about 9 miles away.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Coming Into View

  
All of a sudden, there it was—the Pinnacles towering over the Salinas Valley. The Husband and I were driving north on Highway 101. The sun was on its way to setting as we passed by the ancient volcano.

I've entered the Pinnacles National Monument, excuse me, the Pinnacles National Park, only a few times from the western side in Soledad. Even though there is no front or back sides to the Pinnacles, I think of the western entrance as the back way in. I wonder if some folks in Monterey County think the same way about the eastern entrance.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

The View from Los Viboras Road


Los Viboras Road is another country lane off Fairview Road. Near the end of Los Viboras, the road is lined on both sides with old eucalyptus trees. And, it is from there, that I took this photo earlier this year. In the distance is the mountain called Three Sisters and Santa Ana Peak.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Peeking above the Mist


That's Santa Ana Peak. Beautiful, isn't it? I caught it peeking above the mist this morning, as I was bicycling up Santa Ana Road. I can just imagine how even more gorgeous the sight must've been on Santa Ana Valley Road.


Monday, May 12, 2014

The Rock Faces of the Pinnacles


According to Cambridge Dictionaries online, the definition of rock face is "an area of vertical surface on a large rock or mountain."

To me, a rock face is a face—eyes, nose, mouth, and so on—that I see outlined in a rock. And, I see many rock faces in the Pinnacles National Park. How about you?


Friday, February 14, 2014

A Glowing Santa Ana Peak


"Come look at light on the mountains," called the Husband yesterday evening, just before the sun set.

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