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.

Fun with a Flip Phone

They say the best camera is the one you have with you. Sometimes that means a flip phone’s camera. Here are a few photos captured on a flip phone recently.

Fun with a Flip Phone
A light in the historical Hayes Mansion in San Jose.
Fun with a Flip Phone
A plant’s shadow on a car door at night that my youngest liked. Photo taken by my youngest.
Fun with a Flip Phone
Neat vine found in the south of the county, south of San Jose.
Fun with a Flip Phone
Plants seen in a fish aquarium.

Babe’s Mufflers

Babe's Mufflers

This giant Babe has been greeting people on The Alameda in San Jose since before I was born and I can remember him offering his muffler services in all his giantness since I was a child. He’s held up pretty well. This photo looks like a forced perspective visual illusion. I assure you, however, Babe is just huge and the man walking with a dog is perfectly normal and probably not named Gulliver.