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A Bunch of Firsts in June

A Happy July First to you, Dear Readers!

And, because it's July first, I'm going to tell, and show, some of the firsts that the Husband and I experienced in June. Bottom line: summer is definitely here. Whooo-hooo!

As some of you know, I do another blog called Take 25 to Hollister, which is all about where we live in California. Yup, Hollister, California. Our history and culture is not at all like the fictional Hollister, California of clothing fame. If you're interested in knowing the difference, check out this post. But, I mention the blog because our first-time experiences took place in Hollister and nearby locations. You'll also probably notice the watermark on some of my photos. Now, on with the show and tell.

Hollister Airshow


 

Have you ever seen an air show from the flight line? It's definitely a different experience from suddenly stopping on the side of the road and peering up into the sky at the planes. That's how I've seen air shows in the past. The aerobatic pilots were amazing. I don't want to learn to fly anymore, but I wouldn't mind riding along with one of them. And, when I watched the WWII fighter trainers fly by, I got emotional thinking about their roles.

I also had another first. A local online news portal left a press pass for me, so I could cover the airshow. I didn't use it though, because I'd already bought tickets. But, I should've anyway for a souvenir, huh?

If you'd like to see more airshow photos, you can check out my Facebook album. You don't need to be a Facebook member or sign on to see it.

Greenhouse Tour



For the past few years,  greenhouse growers in nearby Monterey County open their doors to the public once a year. They give tours of their operations and give visitors the opportunity to purchase their gorgeous flowers and trees. The Husband and I managed to see four of the five greenhouse companies. Breathing in all that fresh oxygen made me quite mellow. I also have an album of our greenhouse tour, if you're interested.

Mission San Juan Bautista Fiesta Opening Procession



About seven miles west of Hollister is San Juan Bautista, which is named after Mission San Juan Bautista, one of the 21 missions that Spanish padres built in California between 1769 and 1833. The church holds an annual festival in honor of St. John the Baptist.

The fiesta began after mass with a procession from the mission, around the historical San Juan Bautista plaza, down to the main street of town, through part of town, and up to the historic olive grove where the fiesta was held. This year, the procession was led by a conchero dance troupe, which held a traditional blessing ceremony next to the statue of St. John the Baptist. Want to see more photos? Check out this album.

Hollister Hills



The Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area is few miles south of Hollister. Nearly every day, trucks loaded with dirt bikes, ATVs, and other off-road vehicles head up to the park. The Husband and I have often wanted to wander there, and we finally had the chance when we learned it had a nature area for hikers. On the map, it looks like a large area, but it's not. The longest trail is a mile, more or less. As we traipsed over a few low bridges, I thought what a gorgeous walk this would be after a spring rain.

The Parade



Another annual event that we have is the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, which begins with a parade through downtown Hollister. This is the first year that I went without the Husband who was ill. It turned out he had a bad case of vertigo, which is another story. I certainly missed sitting next to him on the curb, which is truly the best view for watching parades.

Yes, I have a Facebook album of the parade. Here you go.

The Rodeo


 

Before the Husband came down with vertigo, I won free tickets to the rodeo. Whoo-hooo! We played it by ear and by the time of the rodeo, the Husband said he felt fine, though a bit wobbly, and was raring to go. And, so we saw our first rodeo ever. Yi-haw! Yup. I have an album of more photos that you can check out, if you'd like.

What a month! No wonder I feel tired. Now, it's time to go prune the tree and cut the lawn in the front yard. See ya.

Comments

  1. Susie,

    I enjoyed looking at your photos though for some reason the flower ones weren't available for viewing. I just love the texture of the flowers in the photo in this post.

    I'm getting better at taking photos with my DSLR camera. I like to experiment with the settings and look at other people's photos. A newish hobby!

    One of my son's would love to visit the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area, I'm sure. He has just bought himself a dirt bike.

    Sounds like you need a few quiet days at home after your busy month!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue! Thanks for the heads up about the link. It ought to work now. Here's the link so you don't need to go back and search for it -- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10204178672172873.1073741842.1408635164&type=1&l=e717677d8d

      I like taking photos. Click, click, click. I keep thinking I'd like a DSLR, but I like the fact that I can keep my point and click camera in my jeans pocket or purse. I use photoshop to crop, sharpen, and do other voodoo stuff on my photos. :-)

      Delete
  2. Yep, summer's here. We've had two days of full and hot sunshine!. I wonder what the season will be tomorrow. :)

    Hope all is well with the Husband.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank goodness for the coastal fog that hangs over the western ridge and that the ridge is so short that the fog rolls over into our valley. Otherwise, it would be very, very unbearable. I'm a wuss in heat.

      The Husband is doing quite well today. The vertigo exercises are wonderful.

      Delete
  3. You have been busy! Wonderful pictures just from here. Vertigo is horrible so I hope he is getting better. I am off to the Jimmy Stewart museum and Lucille Ball Museum so I will look at your pics when I return

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Did you enjoy the museums? They're the kind of museums I could get lost in happily. The Husband says, "I feel wonderful."

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  4. Wow, so much to do in your area :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There surely is. A lot more than many of us, locals, realize. This 4th of July weekend is the motorcycle rally. I can already hear bikers roaring about.

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  5. That's great Susieee! We have a rodeo and parade on Maui for the 4th of July but I missed it this year. Was buried in work. Sounds like a great month of fun. Oh, and thanks for letting me know it was a Maria Clara dress. Very cool.

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Thanks for the good cheer. :-)

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