The Tourist Weekend

Our weekend tour with Devin was essentially a day exploring Berkeley and a day exploring San Francisco. Sunny, lots of walking, plenty of spontaneous exploring.

Berkeley is much as I had imagined--urban, but lots of shades of bygone decades. The campus is lovely--the only regret was spring break had just begun so most of the buildings were closed but just wandering, looking & reading was great. I obviously had not read up enough before arriving as I was pleasantly surprised at the age & beauty of the campus. Many newsworthy & movie moments faded in & out as we wandered. We leisurely saw the campus--hiked up the hill to the national labs for Devin's tour (they have one of the best views available anywhere!) and then walked to the waterfront--catching the farmer's market and lots of great architecture & plant life in between (and many wild turkeys!).

In San Francisco we walked the Embarcadero, waterfront from the Ferry Terminal to Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square & the Maritime National Park; back up over the hill past Lombard St. (crookedest street), through parts of Russian Hill, the Italian district & Chinatown to Union Square. Lots of history along the way, including City Lights bookstore--and such a lovely day that just about every kind of boat was out on the water. We were appropriately awed by the myriad of displays of carved ivory--especially huge tusks--in Chinatown windows. It seems so decadent, but strangely awesome, too.

Union Square flowers--the flora was great entertainment

the Maritime Museum in San Francisco

sculpture on Berkeley campus

one of my favorite Berkeley campus buildings

Lots of good food & ale (it was, after all, vacation!)--good talks, great laughs. We even took in The Hurtlocker one night--would highly recommend it. No question why Kathryn Bigelow got best director--and Jeremy Renner is superb.

A Tour into Science Land

We had a wonderful--if not whirlwind visit to Berkeley. Devin was a worthy tour guide of both the area & also his work world. In keeping with our norm of public transit only, the Bay area is an easy accomplishment. Aside from aging (therefore noisier) trains, BART is great--and our feet got a great springtime workout as well! Good food, good sights, great company--thanks, Devin!

I don't pretend to understand more than just the basic ideas that Devin is addressing in his internship--but I can attest to the complexity, challenge & specialization of the world he's immersed in for this five months. Wow--in the light-spectrum laser world, he is working on--and measuring with--concepts that had hardly been guessed at when I was a science student are just business as usual. I know that in the world of time frames Devin deals with, decades ago is ancient history, but from here it seems like giant strides in a brief time!

The other thing that struck me was that his 'lab world' has gone from cavernous rooms and mechanisms (at the linear accelerator) to miniature fields of complex optics & lens--yet both dealing with particles, waves, and spans of time that are smaller than one can hardly conceive of. There does seem to be a certain level of faith involved, but also a great deal of certainty & confidence as to the road ahead. Through it all, Devin is quite unassuming and patient & with a grin and a shrug lets you know 'it's no big deal'--to him, that is! What an experience! And what a great place to be right now. (More about the tourista stuff next post.)

One of the experimental set-ups in the lab

The insert box that comes with parts ordered by hardworking interns!

(Know your customer!)

Devin in his office (there's a commanding view out that window!)

California Sunshine

We're off for a fun-filled four days in Berkeley with intern-son! Good thing we have a little distraction from this now less-filled house (even Cassie is looking for Milo...).

Can't believe that three weeks have sauntered by without posting. Some excuses--although not great ones. Will catch up more upon return.

Meanwhile here was the outcome of day two on my friend's longarm machine. I've just finished day three before we run out of town--and I can definitely say: I'm hooked! (Jim & I gotta win the lottery!)

• Houses are blocks I won at a guild meeting many, many years ago. It went on it's way as a community quilt this week.
• Yellow & pink (terrible color in the photo--it's a soft yellow) is really quite fresh, kind of French appearance.
• Abstract crossed blocks are ones I won at the fall retreat. Actually have it finished to take to spring retreat at the end of the month!

(Making progress on those UFO's...)

More soon with travel news--and hopefully a less heavy heart.

Farewell...

In Memoriam

Milo

1992-2010

Thanks, buddy!