San Ramon Valley High School - Kernel Yearbook (Danville, CA)

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V i-up I xi Q ESSAY Once last summer, at the close of a scorching day, three friends and I saddled horses and set off across the parched valley for the shadowed hills beyond. Before us, the sky was aflame with sunsetgl the atmosphere was moved by a comforting breeze. I sensed a pleasant thrill as our horses pull- ed at their reins and lengthened into a fast run. After standing all day in the shade of the barn patiently switching flies, they were eager for exercise. It seemed as if we were racing to cap- ture some of that golden glory of the sunset be- fore it melted away. - By the time we started up the first incline of the ridge dusk had settled. The last beams of the sun had faded behind the hills, and the few puffs of clouds that hung in the sky were lined with silver. The ascent grew steeper and more difficult as we climbed. The trail twisted and turned among live-oaks, elms, and madrone treesg it struggled through grease-wood and wild blackberry under growths, and stumbled dizzily around rocky ledges. We were forced to keep constantly alert, with eyes to the front to dodge successfully the snarl of overhanging limbs, escape the grasp of clutching vines, and touch of poison oak. Occasionally we halted our horses in an open stretch of trail and surveyed the way over which we had come. The brush-fringed hills on the oppo- site side of the valley had released a huge lop- sided moon that slowly surnounted the heavensg Danville blinked tiny yellow eyes at us, and chains of lights were drawn swiftly along the thread-like highway. The surrounding trees cast grotesque shadows across the grassy the scurry of a woodrat in a clump of dry brush nearby, caused the horses to perk their ears.

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SAN RAMON VALLEY Ten scouts had left their native east To explore a land to them unknowng Many hardships they had braved To seek for friends and kin, a heme. One by one they staked their homesites Here and there throughout the west Till one alone, with hopes unanswered, Still continued with his quest. Long months later, evening found himg On a hill, still sunlight shown. In the west a golden gateway In the east, a mountain lone. Travel worn was he and weary Lenging for the peace of night. His gaze lighted, interest quiekened, As fulfillment met his sight. Low hills rippling all about him Met a valley emerald set His patience was rewarded In God's own land his hopes were met. Prize Poem Willise Main

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I7 W After awhile we urged our horses on again and finally reached the summit of the ridge, about fifty feet from the bear tree ---a natural re- production of that symbol found on our state flag, and a landmark well-known to this community. San Ramon Valley, lying far below, was measur ed off into light and dark blotches of gray---the orchards, vineyards, tomato patches, and hay fields, e The stiff white steeple of the little Danville church stood out clearly in the moon- light. It silently watched with pastoral dignity, the every movement of the town. Low hills rolled back from the valley and bowed before Mt. Diablo. We continued along the edge of the ridge for some timeg then we dipped into a small sheltered hollow which the moon failed to light. There we had to depend chiefly upon the sureness of our ' horses, for the trail was rough and not clearly distinguishable. Emerging, the trail led giddilv across a narrow strip of ground that dropped abruptly away about a hundred feet on one side, and sloped sharply on the others. At last we came to a flat open spot from which we could survey the land to the north. Far in the distance could be seen the watery straits which separate Martinez and Bcniciag beyond, the indistinct outline of Mt. St. Helena. A million tiny lights betrayed the where abouts of Martinez, Bay Point and Concord, while a group of silver, squatty tanks indicated the position of Avon. Prize Essay Vivian Kraft