Heading Up to the Clouds

Yesterday was a gorgeous day to hike the Anza Trail, a mile or so south of the City of San Juan Bautista. The trail, formally known as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, is 1,200 miles long, stretching from Nogales, Arizona to the Carquinez Straits in Contra Costa, California.

The local segment of the trail used to be the Old Stage Road, on which once upon a time stage coaches ran between San Juan Bautista and Salinas. The first mile of the 4.5 trail is a rather steep climb that I wonder how often passengers had to get off the coach and walk.

Today, I'm hanging out at The Weekend in Black and White. Click here to see other black and white photos by bloggers around the world.

One of the Three Sisters

Don't let this photo fool you. The peak is further away than it looks. I took this from the north end of Santa Ana Valley Road when I was bicycling around the valley a couple weeks ago.

BBQ, Bread, and Honey

Where can you buy some of the best locally-made BBQ, European-style breads, and honey from San Benito County bees?

"Ooo-ooo, I know, I know," she said, waving her arms in the air.

Head for that empty lot on the west side of Highway 25, just before you reach Bertuccio's, which is near the corner of Union Road. Every Friday afternoon,  that lot is occupied by Mansmith's BBQ,  Suncoast Organic Farm Bakery,  and Bray Apiaries. All of the foodstuffs are mighty delicious.

Hmmmm, what's for dinner?

Rain! Yaaaaaay, Rain!

The sound of rain in the streets, the drain pipes, the roof, and all over is a very welcoming sound and sight for us who are experiencing a severe drought. And, it's really splashing and dripping and splattering with happy gusto right now.

I thought it was just fog out there so when I finally looked out the window this morning, voila, wet sidewalk. I quickly went out the front door to get the newspaper and, of course, to take photos of the rain.

Thank you, Great Spirit of the Universe!

Can you see the rain drops?

Took Wing

One definition of to take wing is to become joyful.  Perhaps, these ocean birds flying over the Asilomar State Marine Reserve may not be able to smile, but I like to think their spirits wore joyful smiles. I know that's how I felt as the Husband and I took wing and wandered around Monterey yesterday.