WELSH RUGBY SCARF 2012 ... a travel log in pictures.

**Alan H** · 25th January 12, 07:43 PM

From there, the Scarf wanted to go back outside, as he'd seen a few of the Rodin sculptures that the museum has in the Cantor Center Rodin Garden....well, I couldn't say NO, could I?

First stop OF COURSE is "The Gates of Hell", which the scarf confided in me, was equivalent to being taken around, against his will by a guy wearing a kilt with both white hose on .. AND a flat cap!

I'm SUCH an Art Lebowski...

So after getting a good tongue-lashing from the scarf on my boorish ways, we continued on; me - properly chastised!

**Alan H** · 25th January 12, 08:16 PM

All this Art was making me woozy, so it was time for a rest. We headed for a shady spot...

This little photo tour suggests that Stanford is all about Art Exhibits and grandiose buildings, but that's not true, Tucked away in little corners are places like this...

The Bamboo Garden between Swain Chemistry and Mudd Science Building. I walk through here whenever I go to the gym.

Or this lovely little nook, not far from Memorial Church, in the Quad. I used to come here now and then when I worked in another building on campus.

Stanford is criss-crossed by little paths that wind through the trees, especially in the Arboretum, the several hundred acres set aside by Leland Stanford, Sr. and fiercly protected by Jane Stanford after his death.

**Alan H** · 25th January 12, 08:39 PM

After walking through the trees, and up to the Quad, it was time to show off Stanfords Most famous landmark...Memorial Church. The frescoes on the front are just spectacular, and inside the church is the closest I've been to a European cathedral, outside of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Sometimes when I need quiet, I just go to "Mem Chu" for a bit of time to sit.....but again, the inside is for another day.

Memorial Church

An artsy view of the Quad, with Hoover Tower in the background...darn the shadow of that tree!

...and a view down an outer Quad hallway, this one is right past the English Department.

**Alan H** · 25th January 12, 08:49 PM

Honest truth was that at this point, the batteries were shot on my camera, so it was a quick trip to the Bookstore for me! I walked fast up towards White Plaza, and the fountain with the sculpture in it that probably has a a real name, but that generations of Stanford students have called "The Claw". Every year before the Big Game with Cal, the Stanford Band puts on a show in White Plaza, which culminates with a teddy bear getting impaled on the very top of the sculpture....

Here's a more "touristy" view of the Claw from the steps of the bookstore, looking across to the newly revamped Old Union.

Now that I had my batteries, I noticed on the clocktower that time had run it's course. It was high time to get back to work. However, on the way, I decided to snap pictures of the two buildings I USED to work at, when I first started posting here at X Marks the Scot...

Here is Meyer Library, home of the Academic Computing and Residential Computing departments. My office was on the second floor. It was here that I went through "First Kilt Stress and Angst"

---and finally..... a view of the really gorgeous old front entrance to Green Library, the main undergraduate library, with Hoover Tower in the background...

**Alan H** · 25th January 12, 08:56 PM

That concludes the Welsh Rugby Scarfs tour of duty at Stanford University, the Beckman Center and the Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine. He'll be packaged up to head off on a new journey, tomorrow or Friday.

A clue to where the scarf is going?

I can't send the kilt to none udder
than that lanky and mean, old tough mudder!
You need a clue to lean on?
It's the state of Lindsey Vonn
though SHE's cute...this guy'll just make you shudder!

Cheers, Alan H!

**Derek** · 26th January 12, 12:08 AM

Simply wow, wow, wow, Alan! What a fantastic set of pics. And the scarf made loads of new friends as well. Brill.
Thanks for taking the time out my friend and doing what you did. Glad you had fun.
I'm still trying to work out who the next host is from you clue ...
Take care
Iechyd Da

Derek.

**Downunder Kilt** · 26th January 12, 12:53 AM

The person mentioned in the clue was born in Minnesota, so I guess that's her State. Do any of the members on the list live there?

**LitTrog** · 26th January 12, 05:41 AM

Again, great job with the scarf, Alan. I had no idea Stanford was such a beautiful campus--probably because the skule has addmition standerrds. Thanks for the window into your world!

Originally Posted by Alan H

I can't send the kilt to none udder
than that lanky and mean, old tough mudder!
You need a clue to lean on?
It's the state of Lindsey Vonn
though SHE's cute...this guy'll just make you shudder!

Cheers, Alan H!

Nice composition. Lindsey Vonn? She IS cute!

**LitTrog** · 3rd February 12, 05:10 PM

The 10 inches of snow we just received in Denver apparently is too much for life to operate normally, so on my day off I waited, and waited, and waited for the Welsh rugby scarf. One week and not even a phone call from that little bugger.

Knowing that today must be the day, I prepared an honorary meal: the Feast of the Six Celtic Nations:

We begin with our beverage, Guinness...

and follow it up with some Welsh rarebit...

Next, a scotch egg, Macallan style...

Our entree, a steaming pile of Isle of Manwich...

And veggies? I prepared a corn wall

and some Brittany spears, which I found to be immature and tasteless...

Sadly, the scarf never arrived. I shall gorge myself on the fruit of my people and look for it tomorrow.

Cheers!