For almost two years, I have been driving by American University three times a week, on my way to the hospital and never been on the campus. Only this year, with my One New Place project, have I stopped and explored (See Jan 25 ONP and April 3 ONP). Today, I went across Nebraska Avenue to check out the “East Campus,” which I wasn’t even sure was part of the university before today. I thought those big modern buildings might be some other organization or business. Turns out it is AU, with a slick technology building and fitness center and large parking lot (gold in this city)

In the summer I have come to enjoy exploring in the dusk hours when it is less hot, and the light is slant, and the sky deepens its blue after the white-hotness of the day. In these hours, the university was quiet and semi-abandoned, only the hint of people remained—the chairs turned toward each other in conversation, the scattered tables, the bike racks empty and waiting to be filled. This was a nice breather and a somewhat meditative time at the end of a crazy day.