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

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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

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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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'true' S INVERNESS In Marin County, basking placidly on the edge of a little bay, there is a summer resort. The Swiss-Italien fishermen are it's year-round inhabitants, each day, during the winter, their sturdy little crafts set out for the deeper waters of the ocean and chug home at dusk with full nets. With the coming of May, however, the two grocery stores, e candy shop, ond Q filling station emerge from their dormsncy and open for business. The fishermen hang out their WBoats for Hiren signs and the summer season is in full swing. But even these transformations do not alter the completely contented atmosphere of the village. Behind the town is a forest. In this sylvan retreat, the silence is almost awe inspiring. It is so intense, that a single bird note or the rustle of some other denizen of the wood, rings out sharply. Even the gurgle of the brook is muffled. The leaf mold is thick and moist under foot, and here end there are carpets of blue for- get-me-nots and maiden hair. Spider webs cling to the berry bushes, and the sun, penetrating the thick over head foilage, transforms them into little, silvery rainbows. Up on the Hmeseu are the homes of the summer residents. They are all modest, with bright flower gardens, and wide porches, commending e view of the bay. ' Down on the beech, the out-going tide leaves fascinating little shell fish, end one can lie ' lezy for hours in the warm sun. Then in September when the winds from the ocean become chilly, the summer residents put the storm shutters on their cottages, lock their 4'