Enterprise Road

Enterprise Road is a short country lane on the south side of Airline Highway (aka Highway 25). It runs from Airline Highway to Southside Road. It kinda parallels the highway. When you're bicycling from east to west on Enterprise Road, you get a sweet coast down the hill after the houses. Wheeeeeeee!

Moments to Love about Hollister

Nova Alinca, the last participants in the annual Portuguese Festival parade, came to a halt in front of the Old Courthouse on Fifth Street. The other parade participants had stopped before them. The band members turned to face the American flag and prepared their instruments to play.

"Oh say can you see. . . ." 

The doors of the Methodist Church opened. A few members came out. Upon hearing the national anthem, they stood respectfully at attention. When the song was finished, they went back in and closed the doors. The parade continued onward to Sacred Heart Church.

It's moments like these that remind me why I like living in Hollister. 

Mustard in June

I hadn't been down Enterprise Road for awhile so I was surprised to see so much yellow. I don't think of orchards carpeted with yellow mustard in June. That's more of a Spring thing after a good rain.

Here's the photo before I played around with it in Photoshop.

I'm participating in Nature Footstep's Digital Art Meme today. To check out other participants or to take part, please click here.

A Giraffe of a Bike

One of the bicycles that Off the Chain Bikes displays could be described as a giraffe of a bike. What do you think?

Sometimes the independent bicycle shop takes part in the local parades. Here's a cyclist riding that giraffe of a bike at last year's San Benito County Horse Show and Rodeo Parade.

By the way, this year's parade will be Thursday, June 25, 2015, in Downtown Hollister. Maybe the giraffe of a bike will be in it again.

I'm hooking up with Our World Tuesday. Come check out other participants from around the world with me.

The "Whale Park" in Hollister

Valley View Park, also known as the Whale Park, has a lot going on for it these days. The once-upon-a-time grand park in Hollister is now grander with the help of $150,000 that the Hollister City Council approved back in February. Yowza!

Wally Whale, Junior has been vastly updated. I believe it now has eyes and a companion that looks like Nemo in the movie Finding Nemo. Most of all, Wally Jr. is surrounded by blue concrete and has a water spray feature in which kids can play on hot days from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The park also has new playground equipment and more places to sit. Maybe it's an illusion, but the park looks like it offers more shade. So, everyone enjoy the park.

It is located at the southeast end of Valley View Road. If you're visiting or don't live in that part of Hollister, the quickest way to get there is via Highway 25 (Airline Highway). Turn left at Enterprise Road and drive two or three blocks. As you round the corner, there she blows: The $150,000 Whale Park!

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.

Looking Up from San Benito Street

This is an interestingly quirky, but pretty, view, don't you think? I'm standing near Wentz Alley, across from the biker mural. If you look at the right hand bottom corner of the photo, you can see a tiny bit of the mural.

The View from Seventh & West Streets

The Gabilan Range stands to the south and west of Hollister. When I'm downtown, I don't think of it being there because of the trees and the buildings being in the way. Then all of a sudden I get a peek of the mountains. Wow!

The View from the 3rd Base Burger Bar Patio

The Husband and I had breakfast at the 3rd Base Burger Bar after watching the Portuguese Festival parade this past Sunday morning. Yup, the beer and burger joint serves breakfast on the weekends.

It was perfect weather for eating out on the patio. As I first looked out at San Benito Street, I was reminded of Union Street in San Francisco. No. I wasn't drinking a beer or Bloody Mary.

2015 Festa do Espirito Santo Parade

Last Sunday, the Husband and I headed down to Dunne Park to watch the start of the annual Portuguese Festival parade. It's one of the prettiest parades in Hollister.

Every year, the Portuguese American community of Hollister holds the Festa Do Espirito Santo, or Feast of the Holy Spirit, on Pentacost Sunday to celebrate a longtime cultural tradition.

The two-day event honors Queen Isabella of the 14th century who helped the starving poor in the Azores Islands against the wishes of her husband.  She gave her crown to the church so that it could buy food for the people.

The local Portuguese American community held its annual festival this weekend at its S.D.E.S. (Socieda do Divino Espirito Santo) Hall on Seventh Street. Saturday night was the crowning of  the "Big Queen" (high school student) and "Little Queen" (elementary school student) and their royal courts, who will represent the community at Portuguese American festivities throughout the year.

The "Big Queen" and "Little Queen" and their courts lead the traditional parade on Sunday morning. They were joined by royal courts from Portuguese American communities in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Monterey, and other cities.

The parade started at the S.D.E.S. Hall, and made its way up Seventh Street to San Benito Street Street, where the parade marched to Sixth Street and then down to Sacred Heart Church. After attending a mass, the community went back to the hall to enjoy a traditional meal of Portuguese beef and cabbage soup.

To see more parade photos, check out the album at Take 25 to Hollister Facebook page.

I've linked up to Our World Tuesday. Come check out other participants from around the world with me.

A Day To Remember

Memorial Day

by Helen Leah Reed

(From Memorial Day and Other Verse, 1917)

        No warrior he, a village lad,
                needing nor words nor other prod
        To point his duty; he was glad
                to tread the path his fathers trod.
        Week days he worked in wood and field;
                with homely joys he decked his life;
        The sword of hate he would not wield,
                nor take a part in cankering strife.
        On Sunday in the little choir
                he sang of Peace and brotherly love,
        And as his thoughts soared higher and higher,
                they reached unmeasured heights above.

        A cry for Freedom rent the Land -
                "Our Country calls, come, come, 'tis War;
        Together let us firmly stand;"
                he answered, though his heart beat sore
        At leaving home, and kin, and one
                in whose fond eyes too late he read
        That life for her had but begun
                with the farewells he sadly said.

        A half a century has passed -
                and more - since all those myriads fell;
        For he was one of those who cast
                sweet life into a Battle's hell.
        The village has become a town,
                brick buildings the old graveyard gird;
        Of him who fought not for renown,
                no one now hears a spoken word,
        But on the Monument his name
                in gold is lettered with the rest.
        Without a sordid thought of fame
                he to his Country gave his best.

        Strew flowers, then, Memorial Day
                for him, for all who for us fought.
        With speech and music honors pay;
                teach what our brave defenders taught.
        And now our sons are setting out;
                the call for Right rings to the sky,
        "Our Country! Freedom!" hear them shout,
                re-echoing their Grandsires' cry.

The Hillsides of Santa Ana Valley

Are the hills of Santa Ana Valley, which is part of the Diablo Range, technically hills or mountains? I've often wondered.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Who else can't pass by the prickly pear cacti in the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park without taking photos of one or more of them?

Driving Highway 156

A slow-moving tractor on Highway 156 is an annoyance when you're in a hurry. But, that's no reason to dangerously tailgate the tractor or the car. It's best to decrease speed (both your car and yourself), breathe in deeply, and enjoy the rural surroundings until it's safe to go around the tractor. If you're running late, pull over when you can and call your destination. If you're not late, why get yourself mad or upset?

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!

San Juan Valley

This is a close up of farm tunnels in San Juan Valley. I took the photo from Mission San Juan Bautista. In the far distance are the Diablo Mountains.

Here's the original photo:

I'm participating in Nature Footstep's Digital Art Meme today. To check out other participants or to take part, please click here.

2015 Hollister Certified Farmers' Market

The farmers' market in Downtown Hollister is open every Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. until September 30. Whooo-hooo! 

The market is on San Benito Street, between Fourth and Seventh Streets. So, from around noon to 8 p.m or so, you'll need to find another way through Downtown Hollister. Truly no big deal for fresh vegetables, fruit, and meats; or for baked goods, prepared food, prepackaged foods, and food cooked on the spot; or for such other items as fresh flowers, plants, clothing, jewelry, and crafts. There are also information booths for products, businesses, and nonprofit groups.

The farmers market again features live music from local talents as well as culinary demonstrations. New this year is the First Wednesday Art Nights, hosted by the San Benito County Arts Council. In the works is wine tasting, also on the first Wednesday of the month. 

For more information about the Hollister Certified Farmers' Market, check out its webpage at the Downtown Hollister Association or the market's Facebook page.

Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I'm linking up. Click here to visit other participants from around the world. 

A Cute, Big Honey Bee

The San Benito Gold Honey Bee was holding court at last week's Downtown Hollister Certified Farmers Market.

I'm hooking up with Monday Mellow Yellows today. Check out other participants by clicking here.

A Late Afternoon Stroll at the Old Mission

At first glance, it looks like the once-upon-a-time Franciscan monk Junipero Serra is actually taking a late afternoon walk through the rose garden at Mission San Juan Bautista.

M&M Plant Sales Garden Mart

Are you looking for a local independent nursery that sells drought tolerant plants?

Then, M&M Plant Sales Garden Mart is the place to go.

The nursery has two locations. Its main location is 410 Spring Grove Road, off of Fairview Road. In Downtown Hollister, the nursery is on 190 San San Benito Street, at the foot of Park Hill. If you're driving north on San Benito Street, it's easy to miss the entrance.  No problem. Just turn left at First Street, then left onto the gravel lot to the nursery.

The main site is open from Monday to Friday. The downtown spot is open on weekends. It's also open during the week, but I can't recall which days. Visit the nursery's website or Facebook page for more details.

Sun Coast Organic Farm Bakery

After a yummy lunch with friends at the 19th Hole Booze and Food in Tres Pinos, the Husband and I decided to take a leisurely drive back to Hollister via Southside Road. It had rained a little bit that morning, so life was refreshingly grand. How grand? By the time we reached the bridge by Thomas Road, I wanted some ice cream. But, neither of us felt like driving to San Juan Bautista.

As we crossed over the bridge, I remembered that Sun Coast Organic Farm made gelato. Whoo-hooo! Within a minute or so, we saw Sun Coast's sign and turned into the driveway. The bakery was open. Again, Whooo-hoo! 

We bought a pint each of handcrafted lemon gelato and blueberry gelato, which we ate at home while watching a Netflix movie. (I tell you it was a perfect afternoon). The lemon gelato had the perfect marriage of tart and sweet in each spoon full. Wowza! The blueberry gelato was delicious, too, with what I thought was a hint of cinnamon.

The bakery sells all sorts of handcrafted breads, rolls, cookies, and other sweet and savory treats. Their racks were nearly sold out. They do their own milling of organic grains, by the way. It's worth the drive to purchase the artisanal goodies. They also sell cups of coffee, so you can sit and enjoy some of your treats, as well as the scenery, on their cute patio.

The Sun Coast Organic Farm Bakery is open on Fridays, from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The gorgeous—and humorous—view from the bakery's patio.

Fremont Peak in Clear Sight

I had no idea that Fremont Peak can be seen so clearly from Mission San Juan Bautista. It's no wonder Mexican Commandante General José Castro was infuriated when he looked up there and saw the American flag and makeshift fort that U.S. Army Captain John Fremont and his men put up for three days in March 1845.

Originally known as Gavilan Peak, the landmark became Fremont Peak State Park in 1934. It's open year round for day use from 8 a.m. to half-an-hour after sunset. Overnight camping is available.

The views are gorgeous from up there. You can see over to the Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz coast line.

If you're into seeing the night skies, check out the free public viewings offered by the Fremont Peak Observatory Association on selected Saturdays, usually from Spring through early Fall.

Morning

I took this photo from John Smith Road. That's the Diablo Range in the near distance. I can't recall what steps I did in Photoshop to get this transformed image. I wanted to pop out the dried grass and barbed wire, and as I was doing that the lighting on the mountains became apparent. So, I decided to spotlight that area.

Here's the original image:

Today, I'm participating in Nature Footstep's Digital Art Meme. To check out other participants or to take part, please click here.

John Smith Road

Back road, country road. Same thing, isn't it?

This one is John Smith Road heading into Santa Ana Valley. I enjoy wandering this road, which starts at Fairview Road and goes past the landfill. Pedaling the bicycle is even better. When you get to the end of the road, you can either turn left to cruise through the small valley or turn right to head towards Quien Sabe Road, which takes you to Tres Pinos.

Today, I'm hanging out at Our World Tuesday. Come join me. Click here to visit other participants from around the globe.

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.