Sometimes the Dawn Jogger just has to say “enough.” Today was one of those days when she started early and ended late, at least by her standards. Along the way she was coast side to visit friends at Duarte’s Tavern which mandated a stop at the nearby Perscadero marshland. And that’s about it for now…
The Dawn Jogger awoke to another gray morning but she’d already committed in her head to do the five-plus mile Baylands circuit, which shows off best on a sparkling blue day with its subtle, layered colors. The grayness now bothering the pelicans, who were clumped in groups of dozen in a number of places around the slough. Just enough action to get a photo…
The Dawn Jogger remembers quite well her friend Bill Gomez talking about the wonderful spider webs that look like parachutes when he guided her and InMenlo colleague Scott on a tour of Jasper Ridge. But what she can’t remember is the name of the particular spider and the name of its web, which were everywhere this morning on her Friday outing to Arastradero Preserve. They are particularly noticeable in the early morning sunlight, which allows them to take on a somewhat spectacular glow. She’s once again admitting that she’s easily amused…
The Dawn Jogger knew instantly that this not just another re-sodding of Roble Field. The chain link fence and portable construction trailers made that clear. A quick web search upon her return home revealed that the Field would soon house the West Campus Recreation Center, similar to the facility at the far eastern edge of the campus – and both funded by John Arrillaga.
That is all well and good, but there are a ton of memories tied to that Field, even for a non-alum like the DJ. It was across the Field that the DJs ran three days a week with loyal dog Cassie at their side. It was on the Field that Cassie romped with a group of dog friends who were similarly on an early morning outing. It all brought more a smile than a tear…
It’s not enough that a “space ship” (the new performing arts center currently under construction) has landed on the Stanford campus. The Dawn Jogger noticed this morning that Hoover Tower has taken on a launching pad look with it’s scaffolding. The whole dawn scene looked a bit other worldly given the ground fog settled just above the dry lake bed of Lake Lagunita. And yes, today, she actually saw the sun come up. Now she’s hoping some sun shine on her poor beleaguered Giants. Off to the yard for a day game today…
“Why” is the question the Dawn Jogger asked this morning under bright blue skies (finally). These Santa Barbara Daisies had been planted adjacent to the sidewalk in front of the First Baptist Church. But why did someone go the trouble of labeling them? There not special or rare. Nothing else in the church’s garden is marked. So why?…
The Dawn Jogger has done sufficient amount of complaining for day after day grey mornings this summer where she’s witnessed few real sunrises. This morning it went from bad to worse. With the overcast, it was actually dark when she got up for her Monday Big Dish run. And even after making her way across the Stanford campus when the sun had come up, it was still so dense she could hardly see the Big Dish itself even about 100 yards or so. It was still good to pump her way up the hill…
Only two days ago the Dawn Jogger was bemoaning the mundane sights of Menlo in comparison with the delights of Manhattan. Nothing mundane today. Upon witnessing a curious sight, the DJ had to ask herself, “What do you do when a turkey crosses your path?” The obvious answer is track it down and get photographic proof. Because how many people would believe her when she told them, “I was walking across the Stanford campus today when a hen turkey passed in front of me.” The sighting took place just west of Roble Field near the Carnegie Institute/Dept. of Plant Biology. We’re wondering if the new and returning students are aware they share the campus with a turkey (or two)…
The Dawn Jogger was up before sunrise this morning (now that sunrise is so “late”) in anticipation of a big day that starred grandson James, who was baptized by Trinity Church rector the Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillette. He was dressed in a traditional “gown” that was worn not only by big sister Grace but by his father and grandfather. He made nary a peep when the water washed over his head and the chrism oil was painted on his forehead (pictured) and alo interacted happily with those assembled for the lunch following the ceremony (when he wasn’t napping). Just a happy 16 pound three month old with furrowed brow like big sis…
It’s not that Menlo Park is an unpleasant town. But the juxtaposition from a morning jaunt around the Central Park reservoir to today’s neighborhood run was stark. It didn’t help that skies were their usual, for this summer, grey. And about the only interesting sight, which was very interesting, was a homeowner’s plea for moms and dads dropping off their kids at school to not park in front of their gate – which was also noted by a “no parking” city sign. Now on to a day of catch up…
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Dawn Jogger 2011 