Solo Road Trip to Alum Rock, San Jose, CA

Country Drive
Fellow Steemians, @bigpchef here with you again. Today I am asking you to take a break from the medicated kitchen, and take a trip with me into the mountains of San Jose, California. The Diablo mountain range stretches across parts of the coast line as far south as Santa Cruz, and up north to Marin and Salinas counties. I was hoping there was some interesting information about the range that I could share with you, but after reading the entire wiki, all I could find was some information on silver mines at the foots of the range that caused mercury levels to rise in the local water. Quite unfortunate...

Albinos (I just know this isn't pc, but oh well)
There is however, a small likely hood that parts of the range in the San Jose area are inhabited with a small village of killer albinos. You will hear from the occasional local that if you drive on Hicks road after the sun has set, you need to be watchful of albino inhabitants that live in the mountainside. There is a fork in the road half way down Hicks Rd, and if you choose to go right at the fork, you encounter a village of albinos, only to never be heard from again. Don't believe me, have a read: http://backpackerverse.com/your-true-nightmare-blood-albinos-of-hicks-road/

Mind you, I have no way of confirming this, for I was not about to go down Hicks road alone and run into an albino colony of children. Have you watched, Village of The Damned, people?! Although, I am tempted and one day may ask a friend to go with for protection.

So If No Albino Encounter, Then Where Did You Go, Bigp?!
Well, i'm glad you asked. It was an absolutely beautiful day in California and I figured I need to go for a drive and smoke a doobsky somewhere high up. I decided it was road trip time. And since I am not really a fan of people, I decided to go at it alone. Nothing like some ganja and Willie Nelson while you roam the country side. So, I hopped into my performance hyrbid (Ford Fusion LOL), and hit the road Jack. Don't you come back no more no more...

Silence In Nature
There are few things in this world that give me inner peace...one is my family and friends. Another is muh ganja. And perhaps the most healing of the bunch, the silence of nature. I can literally spend hours outside in a quiet area and just listen to this amazing planet of ours. Every tree rustle, every insect buzz, every moment that is void of human creation is where I feel the soul heals itself. I have no intention of describing the beauty to you, cause if we're being honest, it's not anything that can be replicated in words. Truthfully, pictures don't even do it justice, especially mine. Still, I would like to share them with you, so that maybe you will get inspired to go give this planet of ours a listen.

As you can see, just let the pictures do the talking. No particular order, and no caption needed...

Zoroastrian Temple
While quite a ways up, I stumbled upon a/the Zoroastrian Temple, "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds". Never have I heard of a Zoroastrian temple. But from the motto on the sign, I figured it would be right up my alley. I took a drive up, even entered a gated area, but then saw a children's play area covered in the earth that had taken it's space back. Needless to say, kinda creepy. I did not snap any pictures out of respect for the temple grounds. I think they might be on to something though: In Zoroastrianism, the purpose in life is to "be among those who renew the world...to make the world progress towards perfection".- Wikipedia. It seems quite interesting, and I suggest taking a look at the Wiki for more information.

Panorama & Me
After leaving the temple, I took one more picture. This time using the panoramic setting on my iphone. Burned a doobsky on the side of the road, and simply basked in mother-nature's perfection.

P.S.
If you enjoyed the read and the pics (I apologize for their lack of expertise), please give me a follow https://steemit.com/@bigpchef Thank you all. And thank you again to the Tuck clan. Much love!!

P.P.S.
I despise selfies. This is my third selfie ever. All three have been for Steem. Two are on this post, and one is on my intro post. Not to worry though, there won't be too many to follow. Take care fellow Steemians. Till next time.

P.P.P.S.
I have no clue why I am raging in my road selfie.