Sunday, March 22, 2009

Sightseeing at Stanford University, Part 1

Stanford University
Palo Alto, California

I had said that I'd like to share more pictures and information about Stanford University. The reason the university has suddenly become important at Willow's Cottage is because Son #2 has accepted an offer to pursue his PhD in Anthroplogy at Stanford! He will be migrating north to the San Francisco Bay area in August. I think we will be making the trip along California's Highway 101 often. We will learn to recognize this view as the marker of 'almost there!'

Main Entrance, Palm Drive
The Oval
(as seen for the first time through Willow's car window)
The Oval is a (very) large grassy area in front of the Main Quad, surrounded by the one way street lined with parked cars.
As you drive around the Oval and reach the far end, you see the main entrance and Quad on your right.

The main entrance to the university faces the Quad, and the Memorial Chapel is directly in front of you beyond the entrance arches.

Stanford Memorial Church stands at the center of the campus, and is the University's architectural crown jewel. It was one of the earliest, and is still among the most prominent, interdenominational churches in the West. Jane Stanford built the church as a memorial to her husband, Leland. Together, Senator and Mrs. Stanford had constructed the University as a memorial to their son, Leland, Jr.

(information courtesy of the official Stanford University website)





The church was not open the day we were on campus, so we will be looking forward to seeing the inside of the church on a future visit. August? September? October?



There are so many interesting educational and architectural sights at Stanford. I'm looking forward to sharing the Hoover Tower, Green Library, the sculptural gardens and a really cool clock tower with you!

But I'm sure this will be my favorite sight.

22 comments:

Mama Mia said...

Ohhhh I can't wait to visit and see it for myself! My family is just SO COOL! :o)

Mama Mia said...

P.S. Love your new banner and the picture of the stained glass Cross. So beautiful!

Caroline said...

There's almost a "European" feel to the campus, don't you think. You're making me think that we need to make a pilgrimage up that way again. My husband drywalled the houses of a couple of Stanford professor when we lived up there years ago.

(LOL) I'm from a family of four kids, and my dad has a different version of your "not knowing which one to take back." He used to say that they would have had five, but he'd read that every fifth child born in the world wa Chinese, and he thought that that fifth child migh feel weird in our Scandinavian family. (almost sounds racist, as I write this, but he meant no disrepect to the Chinese) Anyway, I'm excited about having another nephew...just glad it's not me:)

JoAnn said...

How wonderful about your son!

Your lovely photos reminded me of how much I miss the Bay area....I was actually born at Stanford Medical Center, LOL!

JoAnn said...

Also, Happy Belated Birthday!!

david mcmahon said...

What a great looking seat of learning. The high school I went to was a bit like that - with a view of the second-highest mountain range in the world.

ellen b. said...

Love the photos Willow! Fabulous. That church looks so cool. I hope you get to see it soon :0)
Boy do I need to walk after all this food I'm stuffing my face with!!

Brenda said...

Really nice pictures. I hope you enjoy all of your visits.

Jane said...

Beautiful photos Willow, the architectural detail is amazing. Jane x

Claudia Bugh said...

How thrilling for all of you! It's a beautiful campus and he couldn't be in a better program. It's also a wonderful to place to visit!

Knitting Linguist said...

Ooh! Congratulations to your son -- what a fabulous place to get his Ph.D.! :)

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

I love all the blue glass in that church window - I'm sure you do too. I can't help wondering if our Swiss visitors and you were visiting Stanford at the same time - wouldn't that be something?

ArneA said...

When I think of Stanford I go back to 1997 when I was listed for a combined simultaneous Kidney and Heart transplantation. Stanford had on the Internet documented that 5 out of 10 was successful, so my chance to survive and live had increased from nil (due to severe heart and kidney failure) to 50/50.
If they can we can said my doctors and started for planning and training. 12 months later they made history here in Norway and I am still alive. Till now we are five of five living here in my country. What is the rate at Stanford?

Merisi said...

Congratulations to you and your son - a true achievement! :-)

Congratulations also on your spot on David's POD Award!

Deb said...

Life is good. Thanks for sharing the wonderful news of your son - and the pictures add so much to the post. I love being on University campuses - there is something exciting about being around all that learning!

Anonymous said...

How come I had no idea it is so beautiful before this post? Congrats on your boy and on POTD mention!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Stunning photos!!!! Stanford is such a wonderful place! Congrats to your son...and to you, for your mention in David's POTD!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Congratulations to your son Willow! What a wonderful accomplishment for him, and you must be so proud.

Stanford U is so beautiful.

roxie said...

Love the perspective shot down the cloister. And with sunshine, no less. You really scored!

Bethany said...

I missed this post!! I'm so excited for him!!! That's great! I love that area too. Congrats on the great news!!

Barbara said...

Caught up with you and see I missed your birthday. Well belated Happy Returns anyhow.
That has to be your son on your favourite photo on this trip that I enjnoyed with you. he looks like you.

Anonymous said...

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church of batman

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