Howdy! No Trespassing!

I don't know if the runner and "No Trespassing" sign go together. I sure like the combination.

The Southside Road Orchard Nymph

Tell me that walnut tree doesn't look like a nymph. She gave my bicycle and me a bit shade while I took a sip of water.

Branch without a Tree

I like to take photos from the car while the Husband is driving. This one was from Highway 156, heading west, as we were nearing the 101 exit. The naked hills captured my interest. So, I was quite surprised when I opened this image on the computer to see the wind in the dry grass and a branch caught in the wires above the grass. Lucky me!

A Mellow Yellow Beep-Beep

Haven't seen an old VW beetle of yore? Go by Second and San Benito Streets. You'll see quite a few bugs, as well as an occasional Carmine Ghia, in different states of repair. The yellow bug looks like it's ready to go. Hey! Who let that old Mustang in there?

It's Monday Mellow Yellows today, and that's where I'm linking up. Come check out other participants with me by clicking here.

From the Archives -- Smelling of Home

Here's more from the Take 25 to Hollister archives. . . .

Ten Smells of Hollister, California

(originally published March 1, 2009)

I have yet to sniff the Hollister California line of bottled fragrances. But, it intrigues me that some people are willing to buy and apply a smell that would make others (and themselves) think they are living a fabricated Hollister California life.

It also got me thinking about the aromas of my hometown. What could I bottle and sell as Sigh, I’m Feeling Nostalgic for the real Hollister California? These are my top 10 smells (past and present). They are not in any particular odor. Hee-hee, I couldn’t resist the pun.

1. The wild mustard that bloom in spring
2. The tons of tomatoes as they are being canned on a hot summer evening
3. Freshly-mowed grass on a Saturday morning
4. Morning fog that clings to rows upon rows of tomato plants
5. The heaps of fresh compost on Highway 25
6. Manure just laid on newly-prepared vegetable fields
7. Meat being barbequed on charcoal by next-door neighbors
8. Gas, oil, and/or burning rubber fumes of a beyond-vintage truck or car passing by
9. The livestock stalls at the county fair
10. Approaching rain

What aromas get you thinking of home?

Llamas in San Juan Bautista

Sure, everyone knows about the wild chickens roaming the streets of San Juan Bautista. But, who knows about the llamas?

Now, did I say they are live llamas?

But, there are live llamas in San Benito County. Oils of Paicines raises llamas on their ranch just north of the Pinnacles National Park. They shear the animals yearly and turn their wool into fiber which they sell.

Back to the llamas in San Juan. If you want to check them up close, here's where you'll find them.

Glancing Through a Cranny

Sitting between the Juan de Anza House and La Cosa Rosa Restaurant on Third Street in San Juan Bautista is a cute little fenced-in garden. Sometimes wild chickens like to roost there. That's what got me looking through the fence when I took this photo. I heard the chickens, but I wasn't fast enough to take a picture of them. This wooden dude, however, was going no where. He reminds me of Paul Newman.

Today is Monday Mellow Yellows, and that's where I'll be.  Come check out other mellow yellows with me by clicking here.

An Elephant of a Branch

The magnolia tree (at least that's what I think it is) in the center of O'Neill Drive is humongous. But, I had no idea its branches were so thick and enormous. I wonder when the tree was planted.

Magnolia trees are native to Southeastern United States and can grow up to 100 feet tall. California doesn't have the rainfall that the South does, so the heartiest trees in the right conditions may reach 80 feet tall.

Click here to see a full shot of the evergreen tree on O'Neill Drive, which I took last March.

You Don't See Many of These Anymore

"Look, look," I said to the Husband, as we approached the corner of San Benito and South Street. "Newspaper vending machines!"

I get excited when I see blue mailboxes, too.

I've gotten old.

Huh?

Hahahahahahaha. . . 

Yes, press that button to get across the field.

And, please don't go soooooo fast across the field!

Ah, the illusion you can create with a bit of cropping. Hahahahaha.

If you must know, this is at the corner of Highway 25 and Union Road.  :-)

Being that it's Tuesday, you can find me over at Our World Tuesday checking out other parts of the world. Click here to join me.

Rain Art

Last week, the rain created a pretty good size puddle at the corner of Fifth and Monterey. The puddle offered a cool reflection of a tree from across the street, as well as cool patterns from the rain. Do you see the face, by the way?

Robots and Reflections

Doesn't it look like the camera-spider robot is taking a photo of the building across the street? Which building, you ask? Maybe both.

The robot and several others are currently on display in the windows at ArtSpace, 240 Fifth Street (corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets). The robots were created by Paul Loughridge who builds them out of everyday trash. To see more of his awesome work, check out his Pinterest page.

Today, I'm linking up with Weekend Reflections. To see photos of amazing reflections caught by bloggers around the world, please click here.

For Sale -- One Door

If you like shopping for antiques and collectibles, then stop by San Juan Bautista, about seven miles west of Hollister. That's where this collectible -- or antique -- door is hanging.

Today is Our World Tuesday. Click here to see what bloggers around the world are sharing about their neck of the woods.

Drying Out

The other day I saw a bunch of crows hanging out in a tree around the corner from Vertigo Coffee in San Juan Bautista. The crows looked like they were trying to dry their feathers before it rained again.

By the way, Vertigo is a comfy, cozy place to hang out and sip a cup of coffee and eat some yummy croissants, pizza, and other food, rain or shine.
 

Skyscrapers in Hollister?

When I took this photo through one of the windows in the Country Rose Cafe, I did not see what looks like two skyscrapers in the distance. I just thought, "That's a cool photo of the trees and tiled roof."

I wonder what made the illusion of skyscrapers. Some kind of decal on the window, perhaps? Or, maybe, my camera caught a glance into the future high-rise campus of San Benito High School. Shades of The Twilight Zone, oh my.

After a rain . . . Mushrooms!

The past couple weeks, I've noticed mushrooms growing in the most interesting of places around town. I've seen them in the lawn at the medical complex on Sunnyslope Road. I've even seen mushrooms in the gravel in front of the new courthouse. Amazing, isn't it?

One of a Kind

Rather unique tomato, don't you think?  I wonder if it was the butt of all jokes among its peers.

These organic tomatoes waited patiently to be bought at the Pinnacle Organic Saturday Farmstand.

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.

Just Like in the Movies. Not.

Fire escapes are fascinating such as this one on the old Pendergrass Hotel at the corner of Fifth and San Benito Streets.

At the time of the Loma Prieta Quake (in 1989), the first husband and I were living on the second floor of a three-story brownstone apartment building across from Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. When the building stopped rumbling and shaking, we raced to the front door, but it was blocked by fallen bookshelves and a whole lot of books. Without any hesitation, we ran over to the window and climbed out onto the rooftop over the garages. We started to climb down the fire escape only to find that we would have to jump over 12 feet down to the sidewalk. We did not.

Until that moment, I always thought once you got to the bottom rung of a fire escape, it would automatically and smoothly deliver you to the sidewalk. Just like in the movies.  Ha!

Hopefully, the fire escape of the old Pendergrass Hotel was never used. And, if it was, what did the people do when they got to that last rung?

It's Wednesday, so I'm hanging out at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday checking other J posts. I invite you to join me by clicking here.