a while back, brendan and i were browsing around the web looking at silly top ten lists of natural wonders of the world, mysterious locales, and whatnot. one of the unusual locations that we read about was lake berryessa, which just so happens to be two hours north of where we live. it’s a reservoir formed by the monticello dam and is the water source for the region. but most notably, it is the site of an enormous spillway, referred to as “the glory hole.” it’s basically a giant drain that prevents the lake from overflowing. so we headed out to check out this mysterious glory hole.
after driving along windy roads for what seemed like forever, we found the monticello dam! unfortunately for us, the water level was so low that spillway wasn’t draining water like we had hoped. it was just a really big cement hole. but here are some pictures of what it looks like when it’s actually doing what it was designed to do. i don’t know that we’ll go back because it’s not a particularly interesting locale, but it was a fun weekend adventure! and we snapped a few photos to remember that we were there.
coat: asos trench coat
dress: asos broderie anglaise dress
tights: tabio 110 denier tights
shoes: vintage cut out oxfords
glasses: karen walker
49 comments
Oh, I've seen those online, too! Hahah, I love looking through "mysterious" or "out of the ordinary" places, and I've always wanted to visit one of these. They look so scary though…
Love your coat! I neeeeed a yellow coat in my life.
u look absolutely precious!
i feel like i should go in the search for an interesting place :)
Beautiful pictures! I'll have to look up those places…sounds fun.
Ooh that looks so scary (when it's actually draining). Lovely dress and coat!
So cute, i love the coat and the dress!!
http://bighairandbikinis.blogspot.com/
What a cute coat! Love the color.
Finding new places and making daytrips are always fun – even if the conquest is more entertaining then the actual destination.
This was a very funny post! And I dare say that hole was glorious indeed.
This is such an adorable outfit. Your dress is lovely, and I love the collar x
Oh! I love the picture of you twirling! So pretty : )
The dress is so cute! And I'm actually quite terrified of spillholes. My boyfriend has shown me pictures of one he saw in Spain, I was freaking out.
Also, I love those mysterious places/freaky stuff lists. I have the Roadside America and Weird US books. Love that stuff!
Sunshine + Your cheerful yellow jacket. Great combo. I agree with Michelle, more yellow for us all!
I love that outfit so so so much! That dress is so cute!
Georgie
xx
http://styleprincessdiaries.blogspot.com
Cool! I grew up in the small town of Winters, a few miles from Lake Berryessa. I've been to the 'glory hole' many times. Fun to see you there on your blog!
oh my goodness… those google images are breathtaking! you're super cute dress ain't so bad either :)
for shits and giggles i took a tour of an abandoned prison in moundsville, west virginia. inmates had cut "glory holes" into the dividing walls between the cells.
i can't enough of that yellow coat. it looks great with everything.
Beautiful photos! I love the setting, and the whole outfit. Especially that dress. So cute!
That dress is so cute! Too bad it's sold out in my size
Man, I've actually been there! Happy memories of an amazing time in California. It was gorgeous there though I didn't know the full story. I must look back at pics to see if the glory hole was being all, well, glorious while I was there. Fingers crossed I might get back to California this year…
Lake Berryessa is one of those places that I kind of want to visit, but I'm really scared of, because it's the location of one of the Zodiac murders. Which I'm really, really fascinated by, and also totally frightened of.
That is the most divine, perfect dress ever though! Ahh, I need to have more lacey things!
kater: i totally forgot to mention the zodiac killer reference. probably because i secretly didn't want to mention it because it's totally creepy! that whole area is definitely sparsely populated. yikes!
bethany: yes, i am well aware of the other meaning… i'm like a kid taking delight in the opportunity to mention "glory holes" as often as possible, haha!
I love searching for mysterious places, preferably abandoned castles and factory's!
Too bad the water level was too low, looks pretty nice.
Love yr dress!
X
I love the silhouette on that dress! I need more full skirted, feminine dresses.
What a fun coat! So cute!
Ah, I melt whenever I see a peter pan collar. So adorable!
lovely coat. nice colour.
Nesha,
http://thebuttonowl.co.uk/
lovely pictures – the dress is very neat, and with the coat, it's the perfect combination!
The color of your trench is so cute. And bahahah, is it childish of me to have laughed when I read "glory hole?"
xo Sherrie
I love the photo of you spinning!!
Yay for random day trips! :)
That's a really cool idea for a day trip! It looks kinda freaky when it's actually draining though.
I feel in love with that dres when I saw it on asos, you look great in it! The coat goes with it really well.
You're such a darling in that outfit! great shots, lovely dress and beautiful youu! :)
hearts,
Melai of Style and Soul
Those pictures of you jumping are absolutely adorable. Pretty dress!
x
your jacket, with that dress, could not be any more perfectly paired. love this entire look.
-brittney
http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com
Your coat is just beautiful!
xoxo,
colormenana.blogspot.com
I've been thinking of getting that dress but they don't have it in my size at the moment. It's great to see it on a 'real person' as its hard to know what it will be like when looking at it on the website.
Thanks for making up my mind :)
Stephanie May
Absolutely gorgeous pictures!! I love this coat, and your dress is adorable!! Great jumping pictures.
xo,
Kirstin Marie
It looks so nice and warm there. Very dreamy (minus the glory hole!!) I love the pop of colour from your yellow coat!
Shy
Love your coat!
StylePicks
http://stylepicks.blogspot.com
The third picture is of course dreamy and stunning, and I love the coat !
See U !
Love the jumping shots.
I've seen your dress at asos and It actually in my wishlist, I've been wanting to get them but it's not worth it right now because our temp is still below zero!!!
The place still look pretty, at least your shots does mkes it look pretty!! loving the outfit too
<3
http://reserveradefashion.blogspot.com
looks like a fun adventure! I am enjoying the bright yellow of your trench during such a dreary winter!
Emily//TheLesserPanda
So am I really immature for giggling madly about the fact it's called a "glory hole"? There's gotta be a better way to say that.
I love your yellow coat! It works so nicely with your hair :)
Sophi
the yellow coat is very nice and all these pics are great!
http://www.abitoffashion.com
Gorgeous coat, really stands out. Scenery looks amazing.Reminds me of the lake district in England !
Marisa :)
I freaking LOVE that dress. Your jumping shots are super cute. I've never been to the reservoir there but it might be nice to visit after a big rain.
XOXO
Hello! I am Michael TheMonkey! Lets be friends! Follow me on http://travelwithmichael.blogspot.com/
Oh my gosh, that is so interesting! The photos where it's actually draining are crazy awesome! :)
Cute outfit. I love 3rd last photo.
Those Google images of the hole are insane. Looks like a bath draining!