After a much needed good night’s sleep we made our way to Stanford University. The first hour was a talk with an Admissions representative followed by an hour long walking tour of the campus. Hand’s down it is the most beautiful college campus I have seen. From downtown Palo Alto you drive up the long main drive which is lined with grand old Royal Palms. The main quad is in the distance with the mountains right behind the campus. The architecture is in the old spanish mission style and faithfully reproduced throughout the main part of the campus.

The school has an interesting history.  It was founded by Leland Stanford Sr.  and his wife as a memorial to their only child who passed away at the age of 16.  Stanford Sr. was a very wealthy railroad magnate.  The university sits on 8000 acres where the Stanford’s had their summer farm.  They named their farm Palo Alto which in Spanish means tall tree.  Leland Stanford Jr. University became known in short as Stanford and the surrounding town of course is now called Palo Alto.  The campus is still widely referred to by faculty and students as “the farm”.

There is no way pictures can do it justice. It is a very impressive place. We hope to make it back before leaving the area on Sunday.

I have been to a good many campuses now but have never seen as many bike riders than we did at Stanford.  I guess every student not only has a bike but rides it frequently.  There were kids on bikes everywhere.

Jackson’s school, MUS, has a former student who is an incoming freshman and nationally recognized track star. They arranged for us to meet with him. He is a really nice fellow and hopes to tryout for the Summer Olympics next time around.

MUS Alum Harrison Williams and Jackson