Bob's Yellow Bird
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Yesterday, August 24, 2002, we took a drive up to
the top of Mount Hamilton where the Lick Observatory is located. It is 52 miles
up there from our home and the road is narrow, winding, and pretty steep as you
near the top. Although the day was not as clear as it could be it was still a
nice drive and very peaceful up there. And, there is no traffic at all!
This is the main entrance to the observatory. It was built in the 1870's and still is in perfect condition. |
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This is the view looking southwest toward South
San Jose and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
They have several telescopes up there and you can see one of the smaller domes on the next mountain top. The elevation at the top where I took this picture from is a little over 4,000 feet. It is the second highest peak in the Bay Area after Mount Diablo. I have a trip up there planned for a day when the weather is crystal clear. |
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This is the dome covering the biggest of the
telescopes.
It looks like a flying saucer landed on top of the building. I bet some of the astronomers who frequent this place would love that to happen. People live up here and although it is quite remote it sure is peaceful. They get snow in the winter, too. |
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These flags looked so nice blowing in the wind I just had to take a picture of them. Actually, they were blowing in the other direction but I flipped the picture so the writing wouldn't be backwards. |
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This gives you some idea of how rugged the terrain
is here. The canyon or ravine below is very deep and very steep.
Except for the road to the top and the buildings there this country is pure wilderness. |
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Here my wife/co-pilot/navigator is enjoying the
serenity of the patio garden behind the main building. Not only is it pretty and
well-kept, but it's really peaceful.
A person could spend the whole day just hanging out and relaxing up here. But you better bring something to eat and drink as there are no tourist concessions. They do have a bathroom you can use provided the building isn't locked. |
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This is another shot of the big telescope dome as
seen from the patio garden.
I believe it is the largest of the domes on the mountain and can be seen for miles around. Before my neighbor's trees got too big I could see it from my deck. |
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This rotunda is in the patio garden and houses a
bust of The Reverend Laurentine Hamilton, for whom the mountain is named. I
hadn't noticed the similarity to the telescope domes until I saw this
picture.
The observatory itself is named after one James Lick. |
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Another shot of the patio garden with my better half still enjoying it. The garden isn't very large but it makes up for its size in beauty. |
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This shot was taken looking northeast from behind
the main building. You can see a few more telescope domes as well as some of the
other buildings on the site.
The observatory is owned by The University of California and there are quite a few buildings up here, including dormitories for students, houses for those who are here semi-permanently, a dining hall and various other facilities. |
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No Thunderbird trip would be complete without some
pictures of the car.
Here Ol' Yeller rests in the shade of a pine tree waiting to take us home. |
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A good woman, a good car, a peaceful mountain top,
and pine trees in their natural habitat.
These are a few of my favorite things. |
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Finishing up a cup of coffee before heading home.
I just bought a big thermos bottle and some sipping cups that morning and they came in so handy I wonder why I didn't think of it sooner. |
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