Let there be Light: Rocket Goes to UCLA

Story and Photos by Christine Cawley


Today Rocket and I explored a new area in the morning hours. Later in the day the temperatures went beyond 100°! UCLA, the most applied to university in the nation was our destination. "Let there be light" is their motto. 

 

UCLA is a century old. It was originally on Vermont Avenue where the Los Angeles City College now resides. Let's explore! 

Rocket loved it when we found a nice grassy area. He rolled around on the grass in front of Kerckhoff Hall. Named after a successful lumber and energy magnate who funded this student union building.

Rocket was enjoying himself while he pranced past the Fowler Museum. They explore global art and cultures. The museum is free and looked inviting!

Rocket had fun running up the stairs and then hopped up over the stair wall to enjoy more trees and grass.  

 

Rocket looks like a hip dog who he can play an acoustic guitar and sing ballads about peace and love.

 

We ended up climbing the stairs again and found another commons area, the library, and Royce Hall.  A golden retriever was finishing up her walk and came over to say good morning. 

Rocket cooled off. Who needs to use an entire fountain when there is a puddle handy!

 

We walked alongside Royce Hall, where in the 1930s one could hear Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Jimmy Dorsey's Band play. Since then the list of musical legends, performers, and U.S. presidents who have visited the hall continues to grow. It is one of America's greatest concert halls. Over one of the doors it reads, "The world is a progressively realized community of interpretation." -- Royce

 

We walked back toward the car and Rocket ran and chased squirrels. We waved good-bye to the bear statue and found the car. Now the night has arrived and it is just beginning to cool down. Etta James is playing and Rocket and I are stretched out, keeping cool.