The Box on Mt. Umunhum

The Box on Mt. Umunhum
The Box on Mt. Umunhum

All cleaned up. Can not go inside still, but you can touch it now. It’s no longer behind all of the barrier fencing that had been up for quite a while. Same great views of the valley and a new paint job for the box.

San Jose view from above

Lick Observatory

From up on Mt. Hamilton, you can see a lot. Hard to see in my photo, I know. However, the left of the photo above shows San Jose and at right of middle shows San Francisco amongst much more. Its easier to see in person and so I highly recommend visiting. Drive safely and slowly as the road to the top is winding, includes many rocks and dirt patches, and is a favorite for impressive bicyclists to conquer.

Lick Observatory
Lick Observatory

South San Jose is in the right of this photo above and Monterey is in the center in the distance.

Lick Observatory

And when you are ready to go inside the Lick Observatory from atop Mt. Hamilton, you can see this gigantic telescope from 1888, among other modern telescopes at the observatory.

Reservoir and Drought

Here is Uvas Reservoir now, during our drought. The water is usually much higher.

Uvas Reservoir

Still, that is better than it was five months ago before we had even modest rain amounts. Here is the same spot in October below.

Uvas Reservoir

Below is another part of Uvas reservoir now, during our drought.

Uvas Reservoir

You have to go a ways down to get to the water. Still, that is better than it was in October as seen below.

Uvas Reservoir

It is amazing how many gallons of water that difference represents at just one of many reservoirs we have. I look forward to comparing these photos to future wet and dry years. Interestingly, when it is wet, or wetter, dry, or drier, there always seems to be people out here finding some form of recreation. I didn’t capture it in photos but there are at least 20 people around me as I took these photos on both dates fishing, walking, relaxing, and taking photos.