For the Explore series, Exploring Cornell, I finally had an excuse to leave my dorm and take in the warm Sun that we were granted with so late in the semester. I visited sites that most students likely see on their way to class (on a normal day) like the Mcgraw tower and Hollister Hall. While at these sites I realized that I never usually get the chance to embrace the beautiful scenery that Cornell actually has. When outside, I usually either rushing to get to my destination because I’m on a time crunch or I’m too busy stressing about an upcoming exam. This was a great opportunity for me to embrace my surroundings and take a break from stressing about my academics.

Surprisingly enough, I had never been to Fall Creek Gorge. It was such a nice day out, and I felt happy to be outside in the elements. Parts of the slope were very steep but I felt like I got a good workout in. It was such an odd experience walking to the bottom and looking up at the suspension bridge that I have walked over before. Even though I was still on Cornell’s campus, it was so quiet and still. I felt like I was far away from campus which is refreshing from the constant hustle and bustle on campus. I believe that nature is healing, as well as doing exercise, so spending half the day outside walking this trail was very fulfilling. Sitting and watching the water flow, and listening to the sounds of nature is something invaluable.

Just a short walk away from the main waterfall

It’s been a year and a half of walking across the bridge overlooking Cascadilla gorge but not until recently had I actually gone down the trail to the gorge itself. I don’t know what I expected but it definitely was nothing like the walk around Beebe Lake. The trail as a whole had a lot more stairs: it was maybe three flights of winding, cracked-stone sterps before evening out into a flat (but still not a path you’d want to take your eyes off from while walking). I went pretty close to sunset but there were still a few small groups taking pictures near the first thrid of the trail. I really underestimated how tiring the walk would be but it was really fun! It’s like, you see the pictures of the gorges everywhere but once you get there in person it’s like, huh, this is a real place? Even though the trail itself is right next to collegetown it felt like a completely different place. Even if the walk is a bit uneven and really keeps you on your toes I still recommend it a lot just as a place to take a break and explore for a while, even if only for half an hour.

This weekend I tour a walking tour of the Botanical Gardens. I had been there a few times for class and enjoyed getting the chance to just walk around the gardens for fun. My favorite garden is the winter garden because when it gets colder there is actually a lot of color there and it is a nice little burst of color in the white snow! I am planning on taking the time to go for walks and potentially more walking tours more often!

Herb Garden

Flower Garden

Winter Garden