On Top of Park Hill

That's Santa Ana Peak in the distance. Quite a different look from this angle on top of Park Hill in downtown Hollister.

I'm hooking up at The Weekend in Black and White, hosted by Dragonstar. Click here to check out other monochrome photos by bloggers around the world.

Another Time and Place

The Husband and I both agree that stepping into some alleys in Hollister is like going to another time and place. This is Briggs Alley, between Powell and West streets. Take out that modern lamp post, the covered car, and the electric wires from the scene; voila, early 20th century, perhaps.

A Sign Thou Shouldst Heed

I sighted this sign at the site of the original Hazel Hawkins Hospital on Monterey Street in historical downtown Hollister.

I'm hooking up at Signs, Signs today. Come check out signs from other parts of the world by clicking here.

Q is for Quite Quaintly

Here's a look of another bit of quaintness that the Husband and I experienced as we walked along Monterey Street the other day in historical downtown Hollister. If you'd like to see a quaint contrast, check out yesterday's post.

Today is Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Check out what other bloggers have posted about the featured letter Q by clicking here.

Huge, Old Gorgeous Trees

The trees in front of the old Hazel Hawkins Hospital are sooooo big, I couldn't fit them in the photo. Well, I could've stepped back a couple more feet or put the camera setting on panorama. Maybe next time the Husband and I walk this way on Monterey Street in historical downtown Hollister.

We have no idea what kind of trees they are. The Husband thinks they're more than a 100 years old. Perhaps they were planted at the same time the former hospital was built, which would've been around 1907.

Today is Our World Tuesday. Come check out what other bloggers around the world are posting by clicking here.  See you tomorrow.

Sacred Heart Church Steeple

This view of the Sacred Heart Church steeple is from Briggs Alley (near Line Street). I wonder if the church still rings the bells. Anyone know?

Happy Halloween!

Mwa-ha-ha-haaaa!

Seeing the Halloween decorations in front yards is making walking a treat lately.  I also enjoy the Halloween decor in some of the shops and businesses around town.

And, the jack-o-lanterns! Wowza!

I spied the scariest sight the other day when I was driving into my neighborhood.  Some folks had already put up their Christmas decorations! Shudder. 

Today, I'm linking up at Our World Tuesday. Come check out what's going on in other parts of the world by clicking here. 

Happy Halloween! Mwa-ha-ha-haaaa!

Tree Sculpture

Wow!

This amazing tree trunk is just one of the wonderful sights to see while walking around the downtown neighborhood.

Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast

Yesterday, I wrote about my childhood buddy and I eating lunch at the Country Rose Cafe. Today, come with us as we toured the Joshua Inn Bed and Breakfast at 712 West Street, across from Dunne Park.

The tour was a sweet happenstance. As we approached the B&B, we wondered if we could take a peek inside. Maybe step into the hallway and crane our necks to see into the parlor and the dining area. So, we knocked at the door and what do you know, it was answered by the lovely Trish Harvey, who, with her husband Steve, owns the beautiful inn. Busy as she was, she graciously showed us both the insides and outsides of their beautiful inn.

The B&B has five themed rooms. Their names give you an idea of the decor—French Quarters, Pennsylvania Station, Captains Quarters, Savannah Beach, and The Kuschel Suite (which means cuddle in German). Check out the Joshua Inn's webpage for photos of the cute rooms.

Both my buddy and I have been curious about this classic Queen Anne house ever since we were teenagers many years ago. The house was built around 1902 for Judson Hamilton who owned the harness and saddle shop in Hollister. Perhaps the architect designed the newels of the stairs to reflect Hamilton's occupation. Don't you think the details remind you of a saddle?

Every now and then I see photos at the B&B's Facebook page of the yummy breakfasts that they make for guests. Trish says they don't have the proper license to offer breakfasts to the public. Take a look yourself at the photos.  Here's the link. Try not to drool too much.

Along with being a B&B, the Harveys have space available for meetings, tea parties, family reunions, and other private and business events. I can imagine an afternoon class reunion there.

For more information about the Joshua Inn Bed and Breakfast, check out the Harveys' website.

One more photo before I go. This is one of my favorite spots in the inn—a cozy window seat on the second floor.

The View from Valley View Road

The views are spectacular from Valley View Road. This is the last unobstructed view, which is between Sunset Drive and Union Road. That, too, will be no more as plans go forward to construct a housing development on that expanse of land.

On the positive side, the view looking up on Valley View Road is gorgeous no matter what is in the way.

Today is Skywatch Friday. To see what the changing sky is like in other parts of the world, please click here.

Another Pretty View of Hollister

The clouds did their best to gather to give us rain in Hollister yesterday. Hopefully, rain will fall soon.

I took this photo at the corner of Sunnyslope and Memorial, looking north on Memorial. We live in a very beautiful area, don't you agree?

A Sunday Stroll

One great thing about the deep morning fog we've been having lately is that as the fog heads back west, it cleans out some of the smog, leaving us with a beautiful blue sky for part of the day.

I took this photo at the corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets on a stroll through downtown last Sunday with the Husband and an out-of-town friend after lunch at La Villa de Jerez. Part of our walk included stops at Bill's Bullpen Baseball Cards & Comics and San Benito Bene. Does it sound like I'm name dropping? Good. Just want to let you know that a few shops are open in downtown Hollister on a Sunday afternoon.
  
Today, I'm participating in Skywatch Friday. To see photos from bloggers all over the world, please click here. 

California Poppies

A few days ago, I saw my first golden poppies of the year. They seem to bloom earlier with each new year. Or, maybe I'm taking the time to notice things more. It's nice to know that California poppies are drought tolerant plants.

Happy Houses of Hollister

Of course, you can see the big, fantastic grin. Could it be smiling because of what it sees reflecting in the windows across the street?

Ah, the things you might see as you wander down Monterey Street in downtown Hollister. 

Autumn in Hollister

The rustle of leaves as the wind rushes through them. 

 Colorful falling leaves. Fallen leaves. 

The cracking sound of dry leaves as we walk on them. 

Yup. 

Color It Beautiful

This is looking west on Fifth Street. We've got a very cute town, don't you think?

The View from 5th & San Benito series
Click here if you want an answer to "Huh. Series?"

It is a Bunny!

Once upon a time, sweet and not-so-sweet bunny rabbits hopped, scrambled, and roamed the hill sides -- and later fields and orchards -- of Hollister. Then came the flow of cement and the growth of neighborhoods upon it. The bunnies eventually disappeared, moving onward to the beyond, both in the sky and to other lands.

But, hark! Frozen in space and time in one of the neighborhoods is this bunny rabbit.

Always Ready to Go!

This little helper stands guard on Sunset Drive, near the Mabie Skilled Nursing Facility. I have to say, it has a cuteness to it in a quirky and geeky way. Did anyone else think it resembled Jerry Lewis in "The Nutty Professor"?

'Twas another sight I saw on a walk the Husband and I took the other day. In case you missed the other two, you can click here and here.

Up There on the Roof

This angle of the ER building at Hazel Hawkins Hospital always intrigues me. Anyone else get reminded of science fiction movies of the future?

Notice the orange windsock. Helicopters land up there on the roof. I don't think they land on the round overhang, but sometimes I wonder. Being that our community is in a somewhat remote location, I am glad the hospital has a heliport.

Neighborhood Art

The artist was a young teenage girl, who glanced at us briefly from her new creation in progress. Her father was very proud of her talent and skills, as he smiled broadly first at his daughter and then at us while we appreciated her sidewalk art.