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Landmark #644
The sky was grey and threatening as I set out this morning. In fact, I had
got up especially early to ride when there was no traffic, but it was
still raining when I did. Eventually it dried up, but...
I rode from the house and to the Martin Murphy historical park... a mere
mile from my home, if that. I was unable to determine whether the bike was
simply cold (it seemed not to want the choke though) or whether something
were wrong... or just user error. Either way, it cleared up from the
bucking bronco routine a bit later.
I parked in the car park, then scampered to the landmark. Using the auto
timer thingie didn't work, as the only useful place to do that was too far
away and the zoom on my camera is a little hurt. (Switch broke - I still
don't know how - but it looks like something heavy landed on my camera
:: sniff ::
)
There was a homeless gentleman sitting there giving me funny looks as I
leant against the marker in various poses, trying to find one that would
allow me to fit all the salient things in. If a person can't bring her
bike to the marker, a view of the marker, the person and the ID placard is
okay, but I don't have a tripod. At least I now know it is just about
possible to take a picture of myself...!
In-Between
Afterwards I left the little park and went to fill up with petrol, the
first time I have done this on my own in the USA (hard to believe, I
know). It was not a big deal, and yet it's another little hurdle overcome,
something else I know I can do (my mind works in very strange ways,
sometimes).
A guy tried to sell me roses, but I showed him my bike and we laughed. I
love
roses, but I have a garden full...and I can't imagine the poor flowers
surviving long on my bike.
Next stop was the post office, to keep my promise to the Grand Tour
organisers and post my application form off (they had a scanned copy
before). Then I made it back to Karen's house, where I met for a Cinco de
Mayo brunch. I spent several hours there, meeting new people, having fun,
and being variously cosseted or attacked by the six cats. Karen has a
glorious garden, and I really did have a nice time. We talked of trips and
looked at books and gazetteers of information. It did rain, but only a
little.
Landmark #800
When it was time to leave, probably just a little before three, I decided
to go and try for another landmark. I went a few miles along Sunnyvale
Saratoga road, which turns into De Anza, and made a right on
McClellan. Some way along there is a high school, and that is where the
landmark is to be found. I was hasty in my photography, though, and while
itw as intensely satisfying to feel that I was covering new ground,
dealing with more traffic than I expected, and bagging a second landmark,
I messed it up. The ID placard swung round in the wind, so can't qualify
as a game piece. I will have to go back. (But it's not the end of the
world, it will be a nice evening jaunt some day when I am too busy to
ride during the daytime).
The speed bumps in the car park were interesting to ride over. Coming home
was a little easier, though I do have difficulty sometimes seeing where
the heck the lanes are going. It was nice to be able to keep going,
with very few stop lights being red. I got a taste of "long
distance" riding, without the interruptions. It's different, and I
like it.
When I got home, I had ridden 18.6 miles, the longest ride to date. I
downloaded my pictures and here they are. :-)
Photos
Landmark Data
California Landmark #644
Home of Martin Murphy Jr.
Marker is in the Martin Murphy historical park in the corner of
California/Sunnyvale. Parking is on the California side, or you could
possible park on the street. Marker is to the left and inwards of the
little museum, between the museum and the bowling green.
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California Landmark #800
Arroyo de San Joseph Cupertino
Marker is in the car park of Monte Vista High School. If you're coming
from Sunnyvale/Saratoga, you'll make a left on McClellan. You'll pass an
elementary school and a 7/11 and know you're getting near. The school has
two entrances, you'll want the second one. It's a left turn. If you turn
into the car park and getting straight you'll see the pillar, in the
middle of the car park. Hint: come when school is out!
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This page created 04 May 2003
Last update 30 Apr 2007
© 2003-2007 White Raven
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