100 Things I Like: The Gnarly Trees of SJB

Pepper trees. That's what those huge gnarly trees around San Juan Bautista are.  I like gazing at them because I like to find faces in the gnarls. There are at least two faces in that tree above.

There used to a few 150 year old pepper trees  around the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. The trees were diseased, so they got chopped. Left are just the stumps.   For more about those historic trees, check out this story by Adam Breen that was published in The Pinnacle.

The next time you're in the second largest city of San Benito County, and have the time, take a walk around town to gaze at the gnarly trees yourself. Until then, you can see a few more here.

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

100 Things I Like: The Golden Hills

To some people, the hills look brown when the green is gone. Not to me. These golden hills are across from Bolado Park.

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

100 Things I Like: The Eucalyptus Grove

On Highway 101, just south of the 156/San Juan Bautista/Hollister exit (entrance), you drive through a small eucalyptus forest. The trees are descendants of seedlings that were first planted by a farmer in 1912. Click here for an interesting tale about how these Australian trees took hold in California.

If you've ever seen the movie Vertigo by Hitchcock, you may remember a scene in which Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak are driving through this eucalyptus grove. They're driving south from San Francisco to San Juan Bautista. In real life, that would mean they missed the exit to San Juan.

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

100 Things I Like: The Murals of Hollister

A segment of the Fruited Plains Mural as seen through the fenced-in patio of Knife and Fork.

There are several beautiful murals in downtown Hollister. It's an easy and quick walk to do:

• The Farmworker mural is on the wall of the Baler Market at Third and East Streets.
• The Fourth Street mural is wrapped around the building at Fourth and San Benito Streets. Be sure to follow the mural all the way to the back of the building. 
• The Whiskey Creek mural is on the side of Whiskey Creek Saloon at East and Fifth Streets.
• The Hollister mural is on the side of the Granada Theater on Fifth Street.
• The Birth Place of the American Biker mural is on Wentz Alley, west of San Benito Street.
• The Orchard Mural is on Wentz Alley, east of  San Benito Street.
• The Fruited Plains Mural is on Brown Alley and San Benito Streets.

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

The 2011 San Benito County Fair

It's always fun wandering the county fair.  As you know, it's one of the 100 things I like about living in Hollister. Tomorrow is the final day of the fair. Click here for more details.

The Two Horsemen

Fair Fare

The Hypnotist

What did one chicken say to the other?

Food Art

The Best of Show Cake

Bustle included!

Local Bounty

It was a great day for the fair!