Artichokes of Hollister

Artichokes grow in Hollister?

I always thought artichokes grew in foggy, sandy areas, so it still surprises me whenever I see the artichoke fields around here. Workers were harvesting the artichokes in the fields along Union Road this morning. One of them mentioned that Bertuccio's Market on Airline Highway (aka Highway 25), near Union Road, will be selling some of the artichokes.  Yaay! Beats driving all the way to Castroville for fresh artichokes.

Being Spontaneous

The last time the Husband and I were in downtown Hollister, we suddenly decided to pop into the Fifth Street entrance of the old Elks Lodge building, climb the three flours to the top, and walk down the other side of the building to exit on San Benito Street.

It's been awhile since we young old fogeys climbed more than one flight of stairs. Puff, puff, puff.

Alas, we couldn't complete our spontaneous plan. The glass doors at the top floor were locked. Oh well. The floor tiles up there are gorgeous as you can see.

By the way, we took the elevator down. Yup, an elevator, one of the few elevators in Hollister. Giggle.

How Tall, the Wild Mustard

In some fields, the wild mustard is rather tall. It almost reaches the sun.

Okay, I exaggerate. Although, I'm sure I could stand in a field of yellow mustard plants and you wouldn't be able to see me.  I love the sight and smell of wild mustard. It also tastes mighty good with garlic and soy sauce. Have I said that before?

Enjoying Twilight

Sometimes I want a red traffic light to take its time when there's an amazing light show at twilight.  I took this photo at intersection of the The Alameda and Highway 156 in San Juan Bautista, which I enhanced with the art filters in Photoshop. The Husband and I were on our way home to Hollister, after stopping for a glass of Brewery Twenty-Five's Many Moons Stout at Vertigo Coffee.  The cafe now offers craft beers on tap. Whooo-hooo!

Rock!

The things that catch your eye when you're driving a windy road. For instance, up on Lone Tree Road the other day, I saw this huge rock on a hillside. It was quite handsome standing near the top in the late afternoon sunlight.

I wonder how the huge rock got there and if it used to sit among boulder mates. From what I could see, the big guy is surrounded by smaller rocks, which reminded me of a sheepdog tending its flock.