Dawn Jogger 2011

The Dawn Jogger is spring training bound, staying with two classmates from Hillview School days. Her mother always told her she took swimming lessons – with Olympic bound Dick Roth, no less – at Tom’s parents’ house. And Terri’s house was the first place she ever felt like an authentic princess, what with its grand staircase, high ceilings, and many rooms. It was one of the original Atherton estate homes, and unlike many others, is still standing. Remembering those long ago but good childhood memories, she decided to do a six mile loop through neighboring town of Atherton, which she found surprisingly busy on a non-school day morning, largely due to all the construction. What she didn’t find was a good view of Terri’s old home. Like many other homes in Atherton, it’s now protected from the street by a high wall and gate. At least it was good exercise…

With the sun rising earlier and earlier every day, the Dawn Jogger is doing less and less running in the dark. There was first light when she headed up the Dish from Piers Lane this morning, although most of the herd was still curled up on the ground. But keeping with the “there’s always one” theme, a single young steer was right next to the path. She thought of him as her dawn greeter…

With the water in Lake Lagunita, the mallard ducks have returned in mass. That means that the Dawn Jogger gets greeted around sunrise with fly-ins, accompanied by much quacking. By the time she’d gotten to side of the lake nearest the dorms, it looked like someone had called a meeting. Dozens of ducks were waddling about, none in a particular hurry to move out of the way. At least until the DJ got within 10 feet when they all flew back into the water. Pairing off will now start in earnest…