San Benito

From Santa Barbara we continued up the coast to Paicines, California (around twelve miles south of Hollister on highway 25).  Our campground, Thousand Trails – San Benito – is located four miles off the main road in a nice wooded area surrounded by grape vines and other agricultural endeavors.  San Benito has a small 50 amp. area where we found a site.  Verizon products worked really well here, but AT&T did not.  Many forms of wildlife roam through the park including deer, a variety of birds (saw a large owl and a bat right at dusk), and even a bobcat.  This is a nice park to sit, collect your thoughts, hike, or watch the world go by.  There are huge sycamore trees around the property, some of which have developed interesting characteristics (see pictures below).  On the negative side, they did not deliver our paper … a privilege of VIP membership (we had to go to the country Store to fetch it), the grass was a bit high, and the park looked a bit old and tired.  We would give this park a seven “7” and would probably return.

Vineyards outside of the RV Park

Vineyards are abundant in the area

Deer graze in the park

One of many ancient Sycamore Trees

Some of the Trees are hallow on one side

Odd tree formations

Our campsite amongst the trees

Fortunately, during our stay the San Benito Rodeo and Horseman Show was going on at the county fairgrounds in Tres Pinos (located about halfway between Paicines and Hollister).  The event turned out to be one of the best of its kind we have seen.  In addition to the usual rodeo events (saddle bronc, bare back bronc, barrel racing, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, bull riding) there were a number of really interesting local events including ribbon racing (two youngsters race a course on horseback while holding a ribbon between them), cattle cutting (three horsemen/women cut out three numbered calves from a herd while being timed), horsemanship, best boy’s and girl’s working outfit, wild horse race (where a wild horse had to be saddled and ridden a certain distance – very dangerous) and, of course, the kid’s sheep riding event.  For our English friends, Dave and Issy, who also happened to be in this park, this was their first rodeo experience.  Here are a few pictures of the rodeo.

The grand parade to start the rodeo

Saddle Bronc Contest ... This guy lost

Start them young!  Two & Three year olds on bucking sheep

The best part of Bull riding is when they fly off!

Dave & Issy enjoy the rodeo

Speaking of Dave and Issy, we enjoyed three meals together at San Benito, two hosted by them and one by us.  Dave fixed a really nice Cajun meatloaf one night and brought back his winning curry recipe on another.  We hosted a very nice evening of fondue (a two hour meal … you can’t eat fondue quickly).  The meal was serene as we listened to the quiet chiming of our dragon wind chime.

New Dragon windchime

Kim, Lynda, Issy, & Dave ...  Good Friends ... Great Food!

Until next time … keep doing what you love!