Ace Train Pictures

A few pictures from the ACE train.

Levi Stadium

The lumber yard totem

Under the 880 encampment

Ace Train 44: Stadium Progress and Bear, Buffalo and Giant Snowman in Pleasanton

No it wasn't a real bear, but it gave me a start all the same.  Friday I met the family in Pleasanton.  Instead of hanging around the train our, station cold for a half hour, I walked to the Jack-In-The-Box at the corner.  It was pretty dark already, and when I came upon this bear at a bank it gave me a start. 

There was a buffalo at the bank where the bear was.  Crossing the street there was a jogging trail, so I followed it.  There was a Christmas Tree vendor with a giant Frost (not Wendy's but snowman).

I followed the trail right to the restaurant and I got dinner to go.  We were headed for the temple. 

I have seen the Christmas Train in Bernal a couple times, but too slow to get pictures.  I do have a couple stadium pictures: $9ers is done except the cosmetic stuff. 
I can actually see some progress on the Earthquake Stadium.  It is amazing because for so long they seemed to be preparing the ground. There is actually a steal frame work there now. 

One last travel to work story.  At Diridon Station I make the transfer to the light rail.  You have to cross the light rail tracks with gate on either side.  A homeless person was struggling, but getting through the first gate.  So being me, I held the second gate for him.  He gave me and "F' you, I don't need your help."  So I continued on my way, and as I passed him I said, "Merry Christmas."  That got me a couple F' yous.  I guess he just wasn't in a Christmasy mood. 

Ace 32: It's Cold and update on 49er Stadium

Ace;
It has been cold.  There is ice on the window, and it is cold waiting for the train and the Light-rail.  I always look for sun, but in the morning, sometimes there is none.  This brings up a concern for those living on the streets.  In Santa Clara county this is a problem, as there are not enough shelters for everyone.  Some of the shelters do a daily lottery for beds.  But many are left along the rivers or other places looking for a place to sleep and not be too cold.  I noticed the underpass to the Alameda is crowded with people.  They have even put up some wood to try and block the wind.

sorry about the light reflection

Someone's home along Los Gatos Creek

I had some extra time so took a walk around Diridon, over to the Arena.  There was lots of noise form radio station booths, and what looked like a carnival.  It was a bus entitled Born Brave.  I guess it had something to do with the Lady Gaga Concert to be held that night.  It goes with her song “Born that Way.”  I think the message is you can behave morally any way you like as you are born that way.  I disagree with her message.  I agree we should treat all others with respect and love.  I do not agree that “we are born that way.”  We are not animals, but children of our Heavenly Father with the ability to make decisions. I walked past the arena.  That was a sight to behold.  There were numerous people dressed up to look like Lady Gaga.  There was white and purple and green and pink hair.  I hope they were wigs.  There were many people with pants with multiple slashes.  It was interesting.  My only photo was one I took from the train as we left.

The 49er stadium continues to go up.  It looks like the metal frame work is done.  They are now putting in cement blocks.  They don’t lay the cement in place, but bring it as a slab and then fit it into place. 

As for the Earthquakes Stadium I can’t see that they have done anything.  The lot is still just a vacant lot.  There is a soccer field on it.  There is also a pile of stuff, which may be the beginnings of putting material together for the arena. 

Ace Train 25: Arena Walk

There are more, but homeless people were sitting on them.

This walk is again a response to having time to kill waiting for the train.  Sometimes I can get to the by 5:00 and the train leaves at 5:35.  For this hike I get off at the San Fernando light rail station (one stop extra) and walk to the arena.  There is a strange art work at the San Fernando Station of six-legged tigers.  I hike through the neighborhood with interesting houses, to The Alameda and Guadalupe River Park.  I cross the Guadalupe River three times on way.  The park was some interesting artwork.

 I am not sure what I think of the Visitors Center.  It has lots of angles, but you have to climb up to get to the door, and it looks like it might fall over from certain views.

The Arena, (I can't bring myself to call it the HP Pavilion) is very interesting in an of itself.  From the Arena it is just a couple blocks back to the train station.  The entire walk if about a mile.  I usually take my time looking at the river and buildings.  The draw back to this walk, is I feel I might be disturbing someone's home along the river.  I see quite a few shopping carts along the way.  There seem to be plenty of homeless people in the area.