We began the bulk of our 20-mile ride along side the Union Pacific Trail that runs by the railroad tracks beginning from Saratoga to Cupertino where we and walkers, runners and bikers have exclusive access to unpaved roads without having to stop stop for cars. We enjoyed majestic oaks along the way. Bill took a photo of me seated in a bulldozer at the side of the trail, to add to my collection over the years riding oon roads less traveled. We then made our way through the 112 acre De Anza College in the heart of Silicon Valley, with award winning building arranged around a series of open plazas.
We then headed to Cupertino’s Don Burnett (Mary Avenue) Bike Pedestrian Bridge. We crossed over the 500-foot span cable-stayed steel bridge over the 280 freeway. Used by pedestrians and cyclists, including jogger and walkers of all ages. It is a popular placer for children to lear how to ride a bike or a scooter. Mid-span, we enjoyed a view of the valley and the old Quarry next to the Steven’s Creek Reservoir that Bill and I have frequently rode our bikes. The bridge is a social and artistic magnet that draws photographers searching for a compelling artistic photograph.
I started taking photos immediately of the metal birds atop a larger boulder at the Mary Ave/Meteor Drive entrance to the Don Burnett Bridge. After retracing our way back we stopped for lunch at Nick the Greeks in Sunnyvale. On the way home we stopped to see the famous "Bubba the Bear" on Bubb Avenue in Cupertino that was carved out of a 45-year old drought-stricken pine tree by Glen Sievert from Humboldt.
