On the Road

School’s out, and Stanford’s peripatetic professoriat is ready for adventure. We sampled some of the outward-bound faculty and found there is life beyond the library and the lab.

Pedal Power

David Kennedy and Steve Haber, both professors of history, are spending a week cycling 485 miles in a bike race across Iowa.

Kennedy is bringing along “lots of liniment.” Haber is pondering his “capacity to get myself into impossible situations–like agreeing to ride across Iowa with David Kennedy.” They’re both looking forward to the finish line on the banks of the Mississippi.

Up in the Whirlybird

Well, maybe by fall quarter. Check out Brian Cantwell, associate chair of aero/astro engineering, as he hovers over Palo Alto airport, continuing his helicopter flying lessons.

“Autorotation can be a little bit nerve-racking,” he admits. “You’re looking down at the ground as it comes up toward you and you feel like a leaf falling. But I think it’s a lot of fun.”

The Reef Beyond Belief

Robert Dunbar, professor of geological and environmental sciences, is studying El Ni