Last Sunday (on the eve of finals week), Lauren, Jared, and I decided to go on a walk around Stanford. It had been grey and windy for much of the day, but that didn't stop these intrepid explorers from braving the elements of gloom and wandering out into the great unknown around Cantor Arts Center.
We all wore black coats.
First stop: Mausoleum. It's a widely known fact that there are two sets of sphinxes at the Mausoleum-- a crude, "heathen" set in the back, and much more sophisticated set in the front. Both are terrifying in their own ways.
We all wore black coats.
First stop: Mausoleum. It's a widely known fact that there are two sets of sphinxes at the Mausoleum-- a crude, "heathen" set in the back, and much more sophisticated set in the front. Both are terrifying in their own ways.
Second stop: The Cactus Garden! Years ago, a friend and I decided it might be a good idea to pick cactus fruit from the garden. Turns out, that's a sure way to get cactus needles on your hands, arms, and whatever other parts of your body or clothing come in contact with the cactus. This time, Jared located a discarded piece of cactus fruit on the ground which we all bravely tried: tasted like cucumber.
Third stop: The back of Cantor, which had a lot of fences around it. Some were toppled over, so we couldn't really tell if it was off limits or not. Jared was once kicked off the roof of a Hogi Yogi when trying to report a crime, and it didn't go on his permanent record, so we decided we weren't too concerned about whether or not we were breaking any trespassing laws. All we found, however, were stairs that led to a locked door and more modern art. Oh, and more fences.
Fourth stop: Stone River by Andy Goldsworthy. Built from Stanford buildings destroyed in the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes, it's a cross between ancient civilization and the Great Wall of China. Jared made a decent attempt to walk across it (he made it probably 10 or so feet?) Lauren made it about 2 feet. And, constrained by my bulky boots, I just stood back and cheered (pressured) them on. Unfortunately, some of the stones are loose, so it's probably a very bad idea to attempt walking the 320 feet.
Third stop: The back of Cantor, which had a lot of fences around it. Some were toppled over, so we couldn't really tell if it was off limits or not. Jared was once kicked off the roof of a Hogi Yogi when trying to report a crime, and it didn't go on his permanent record, so we decided we weren't too concerned about whether or not we were breaking any trespassing laws. All we found, however, were stairs that led to a locked door and more modern art. Oh, and more fences.
Fourth stop: Stone River by Andy Goldsworthy. Built from Stanford buildings destroyed in the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes, it's a cross between ancient civilization and the Great Wall of China. Jared made a decent attempt to walk across it (he made it probably 10 or so feet?) Lauren made it about 2 feet. And, constrained by my bulky boots, I just stood back and cheered (pressured) them on. Unfortunately, some of the stones are loose, so it's probably a very bad idea to attempt walking the 320 feet.
Fifth stop: My apartment: where we realized that one of Lauren's fingers was frostbitten (well, just very, very white), where we had tea in odd cups (i.e. a jar that once held peaches), where I accidentally ruined my tea by adding 3 teaspoons too many of sugar, where we watched Lana del Rey music videos, and where we congratulated each other on making it back alive.
I befriend a sphinx at the Mausoleum (who refused to look at the camera)
Jrd & Lrn "pose naturally" at the Cactus Garden
Caught in a labyrinth of modern art and shelter
Wondering if this piece of modern art is climb-able (it wasn't)
Ruins of a recent civilization: we had to google the location of this one in the cold
