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Preparations
I spent a lot of time this morning planning out my routes and priting out
mini-maps. Then I rigged up a DIY map holder - one of those plastic sheet
holders weighted down with two industrial-strength magnets. They were just
right, and helped my journeys immensely.
About one o'clock, I set out on my quest. Primarily I had logged a route
that took me along Central Expressway/Alma and El Camino Real. I had about
seven landmarks to find, but as you'll see, I didn't find them all.
It was very quiet on the road, and I really enjoyed that. Sunday is a
luxury for my riding; the rest of the time I have to deal with
traffic. The bike was running a little funkily to begin with, but soon got
the hang of it and fired up the extra cylinder, then there was nothing
else to worry about. The rider's confidence was up, but not too far up; I
am no longer afraid of riding, only of setting out. There are scary
moments, and I don't mean to become complacent, but today's ride was a
sheer pleasure, and I think I did well.
Landmark #836
Landmark number 836 is the "Electronics Research Laboratory". It's
situated at the intersection of Channing and Emerson. Very easy to find,
especially since I have been here before: some time ago we visited a local
company to get some 2nd hand computer equipment they were giving away, and
that's exactly where I ended up parking - though I had no idea in advance.
I couldn't get a decent picture of me and the marker, so I took a picture
of the salient bits and pieces, and still have a tripod on my shopping
list. I did get dispensation to just send a picture of the marker, but
it's much more fun if I or the bike am in it. (And while I could have got
my bike here, it would have been illegally parked, and that won't do -
check out the red line in the background of the photograph.)
Landmark #955
There was another marker somewhere near California Avenue, as I rode
through downtown Palo Alto, but I missed it. I went left instead of
right. The road is sort of odd there, and I haven't figured it out. I can
go back, it's not like Palo Alto is going anywhere. I shrugged my
shoulders and continued.
I'm familiar with Menlo Park, because that is where I used to work when I
first moved here to California. Again, the whole character changes on a
Sunday, with the bright sunshine and lack of murderous traffic. I parked
close by, and went to wander around the railway station. With my jacket
on, I felt the warmth quite strongly, and was a bit dehyrdrated. However,
this landmark was easy to get, and there was even an opportunity to have
my picture taken with the marker. Menlo Park's station is the oldest in
the area, according to the marker, but the speckled light on the marker
will make it impossible for you to read it.
I took a picture of the nice Victorian type building as well. Again, I
could have got my bike here, but it would have been an illegal park, and I
needed to stretch my legs. I'm not going for the winning prize here, so
I'll just make sure I have enough to qualify and then enjoy myself.
Landmark #939
I had several other landmarks to visit, and found the third one - or where
it was supposed to be - fairly easily. Landmark #939 was supposed to be on
Princeton Street, but while I found that house, I could not see the
marker. Maybe it was hiding behind the truck that was parked there, but
since there was a woman sitting in it, giving me a funny look, I couldn't
very well go peering. And I didn't want to go to the back, it was a
private residence! So I'm going to see if I can't get some more
information, or I might swing by there during the week sometime and walk
about a bit. So I've been to the site, if not seen the marker.
Going Home
Next stop was a Safeway I'd just seen, for a much-needed bottle of Safeway
"sports drink" (read generic brand Gatorade). A pint of liquid disappeared
into me without a halt, as did a Kit-Kat. I was getting a bit
dehydrated. If I hadn't have had the drink, and the break, I might not
have enjoyed the ride home so much.
I was planning to go to Stanford, but my back had started to ache a
little, and I decided to go home while the going was good. I saw that
Stanford was very busy, they had a pow-wow on, and while I would like to
see a pow-wow sometime, it would be better to do it when I have boots I
can walk a distance in!
I by-passed the crowds, and turned onto Alma before the
turnoff for another landmark I was peering out for. I did, however, manage
the Oregon Expressway turnoff a little more gracefully than when I was
there last week. I was in the wrong lane to turn onto Charleston, so
I shrugged my shoulders and finished the rest of the ride home. I arrived
before real fatigue set in, and now I am waiting to see if my bid for a
purple tank bag will win on Ebay, with a deep and happy sense of
satisfaction. This was probably my best ride to date.
Epilogue
Phooey! I found there was a third landmark in Menlo Park. Oh well! I'll
have to pick it up on my way to Redwood City sometime.
Photos
Landmark Data
California Landmark #939
If you're on Alma, turn right on Emerson. It's a one way system, so just
keep on going until you reach Channing, then park somewhere. The marker is
on Channing, just around the corner. You could conceivably get a picture
of your bike with the marker, but you'd be parked illegally and it's not
worth it.
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California Landmark #955
Menlo Park Railway Station
Coming north on El Camino, I took a right on Ravenswood and a left on what
I thought was Merrill but which turned out to be Alma. Not to worry; it is
only a short walk across to the parallel street. The marker is in front of
the station, at the side with the benches and the clock tower.
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California Landmark #939
Twentieth Century Folk Art Environments
(Thematic) - Capidro
I went to the address where the marker is supposed to be, but I'm not
going to say what it is because it looks like a private residence, and
there is no marker. Looking at the Web, I think the art must have been
destroyed.
To get there, I took a right from El Camino on Middle Street, and from
there wove through the streets using a map.
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This page created 11 May 2003
Last update 30 Apr 2007
© 2003-2007 White Raven
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