There won't be a lot of pretty pictures in this blog entry, since five of the seven places we visited began with the words "Parking Structure." We knew this day was coming for a while, and I'd say we were both dreading it, but also looking forward to how weird it would be. "What did you do today? Well, I ran to all the parking structures on the Stanford campus."
First, though, was the Palo Alto Train Station & Transit Center. It seems like a dirty trick that this is even on the map at all, as it only fits in a little inset in the upper left corner. I'm pretty sure this is the furthest place on the map, and, as we were running, we pondered what other places could be in a map inset. What if, for some reason, they listed SLAC in an inset? Or San Francisco? Or the overseas Stanford campus in Florence?
We ran back up Palm Drive to Parking & Transportation Services, which Ira knew because it is where he gets his parking permits, I guess. It is sort of behind Maples Pavilion, and we couldn't touch the door because a gate was closed. We certainly saw the sign, though.
We then ran to Parking Structure 1, which is sort of between the hospital and the Rodin Sculpture Garden. We'd run through it several times. Our self-imposed rules for this silly adventure have been that we have to see a sign identifying the building and then touch a door, if at all possible. Sometimes, this isn't possible. There may not be a sign, but then we run all the way around the building looking for one. And, sometimes we can't get to the door, due to construction, a gate, or, once, a guard dog. I was a bit worried about how these rules would play out for the parking structures. Would there be a sign that said "Parking Structure 1"? Yes, there always was such a sign. So, readers, you can sleep easy. We always touched a sign and a part of the structure itself.
Next, was, duh, Parking Structure 2, which is on Panama Street sort of at the back of the new Roble Gym. Nothing really of note here, so I'll share the anecdote that I apparently have a hole in my pocket, so my iPhone fell out twice during the run. There was no damage though, and I don't even have a case. I've never had a case in the several years I've had an iPhone, and I didn't even need one today. I probably should fix the hole in my pocket, though.
If you thought we'd go to Parking Structure 3 next, well, you'd be wrong, since there is no Parking Structure 3! Ha ha! Gotcha! A quick internet search says that it used to be by the hospital, and is now totally replaced by all the construction. So, guess what was next? Correct: Parking Structure 4. It is the totally underground parking structure right as you drive up to the front of the hospital. Aesthetically, this is the clear winner of the "best parking structure" category. Very well though out, and no doubt very expensive, with some very nice greenery on top. Kudos to whoever planned this!
On to Parking Structure 5, which is across from the intramural fields. It is a big, multi-story structure, and we had a brief conversation about how it isn't really that close to anything, and how it fits in with the commendable effort Stanford has made to move all the parking lots to the outskirts of the campus. Oh, and for some reason, this sign was in Roman numerals, and said "Parking Structure V."
Our final stop was Parking Structure 6, which is kind of cheating, since it is underneath Wilbur Field, which is where we start and end each run. Ira sort of forgot that we had a final destination, and he initially forgot to touch the building – there's a few buildings with elevators that take you to the underground garage.
I should also mention that, for some reason, Ira had difficulty stepping off curbs on this run. Three or four times he stepped off a curb oddly and I was worried he might hurt his ankle. Along with me dropping my phone, we apparently had some issues today.
Distance: 6.5 miles (128.1 miles total)
First, though, was the Palo Alto Train Station & Transit Center. It seems like a dirty trick that this is even on the map at all, as it only fits in a little inset in the upper left corner. I'm pretty sure this is the furthest place on the map, and, as we were running, we pondered what other places could be in a map inset. What if, for some reason, they listed SLAC in an inset? Or San Francisco? Or the overseas Stanford campus in Florence?
We ran back up Palm Drive to Parking & Transportation Services, which Ira knew because it is where he gets his parking permits, I guess. It is sort of behind Maples Pavilion, and we couldn't touch the door because a gate was closed. We certainly saw the sign, though.
We then ran to Parking Structure 1, which is sort of between the hospital and the Rodin Sculpture Garden. We'd run through it several times. Our self-imposed rules for this silly adventure have been that we have to see a sign identifying the building and then touch a door, if at all possible. Sometimes, this isn't possible. There may not be a sign, but then we run all the way around the building looking for one. And, sometimes we can't get to the door, due to construction, a gate, or, once, a guard dog. I was a bit worried about how these rules would play out for the parking structures. Would there be a sign that said "Parking Structure 1"? Yes, there always was such a sign. So, readers, you can sleep easy. We always touched a sign and a part of the structure itself.
Next, was, duh, Parking Structure 2, which is on Panama Street sort of at the back of the new Roble Gym. Nothing really of note here, so I'll share the anecdote that I apparently have a hole in my pocket, so my iPhone fell out twice during the run. There was no damage though, and I don't even have a case. I've never had a case in the several years I've had an iPhone, and I didn't even need one today. I probably should fix the hole in my pocket, though.
If you thought we'd go to Parking Structure 3 next, well, you'd be wrong, since there is no Parking Structure 3! Ha ha! Gotcha! A quick internet search says that it used to be by the hospital, and is now totally replaced by all the construction. So, guess what was next? Correct: Parking Structure 4. It is the totally underground parking structure right as you drive up to the front of the hospital. Aesthetically, this is the clear winner of the "best parking structure" category. Very well though out, and no doubt very expensive, with some very nice greenery on top. Kudos to whoever planned this!
On to Parking Structure 5, which is across from the intramural fields. It is a big, multi-story structure, and we had a brief conversation about how it isn't really that close to anything, and how it fits in with the commendable effort Stanford has made to move all the parking lots to the outskirts of the campus. Oh, and for some reason, this sign was in Roman numerals, and said "Parking Structure V."
Our final stop was Parking Structure 6, which is kind of cheating, since it is underneath Wilbur Field, which is where we start and end each run. Ira sort of forgot that we had a final destination, and he initially forgot to touch the building – there's a few buildings with elevators that take you to the underground garage.
I should also mention that, for some reason, Ira had difficulty stepping off curbs on this run. Three or four times he stepped off a curb oddly and I was worried he might hurt his ankle. Along with me dropping my phone, we apparently had some issues today.
Distance: 6.5 miles (128.1 miles total)
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