Now that all my boxes have finally been unpacked, my posters painstakingly hung on the walls and my dresser drawers filled, it's time to relax and enjoy precious time with my friends before the barrage of meetings and assignments begin.
This is one of my favorite times of the year – I'm settled in, but classes aren't too tough yet, and we are lucky enough to share the last glimpse of summer weather with our college companions.
During my freshman year, the camp college experience was full of mentor activities and getting-to-know-you games, while sophomore year's first few weeks were an exhausting and stressful time of mold and living at The Inn at DePauw. This year was my first true camp college, and I loved it.
Because I live a stone's throw away from Chicago, while in Greencastle, I have always vocalized my disdain for the rural lifestyle. I miss famous museums, skyscrapers, giant shopping centers and all things urban. But I think I have now come to realize the benefits of a small town environment.
Though I can't just ‘hop the train' or wander a metropolitan landscape, there are so many entertainment options within a small radius here at DePauw.
This past weekend I went boating on Raccoon Lake for the first time, and it was unbelievably fun. The weather was perfect, the company was lovely and it was relatively inexpensive – if you can gather a group of 12, a pontoon costs $14 per person for four hours, including gas and tax.
I've also recently heard of Turkey Run, a park with a river where you can kayak, canoe or just float in a tube (with a helpful cooler tube for your refreshments). Something else I've always wanted to try is the famous rope swing. Hopefully I'll get to test that out soon!
If you love the outdoors but prefer scenery in lieu of swimming, Cataract Falls is very close, and is a really beautiful place. Even just a stroll through DePauw's Nature Park is an adventure, with a million winding paths and lots of picnic potential. You can even do as a friend and I did last week, and follow the train tracks through some interesting areas and – surprise! We ended up at the Monon Restaurant.
If you need more structured activities, I've heard that apple picking is popular, and with an orchard in Mooresville, it's close enough to make into a fun day trip and be back by dinner. I'm also currently planning on paintballing soon, on a field that's only ten minutes away (across the road from the Humane Society of Putnam County). I've even found that perusing items at Goodwill and Rescued Treasures can be just as fruitful as my favorite thrift stores at home.
While I used to think there was nothing to do, I now know that I was very wrong. Greencastle is full of surprises. Whatever you may choose to do, it's so important to really live this time up and enjoy yourself. Your workload will never be this small again.
— Bremer is a junior from Clarendon Hills, Ill., majoring in communications. opinion@thedepauw.com