Columbus, the city known for bustling streets and booming economic growth.  Surrounded by all that liveliness and urbanization, one can very easily forget about the natural world.  Where seemingly endless flora grew without a care now spans endless rows of cement and metal.  Where creatures interacted in a constant battle for survival, now creatures of a different breed interact in a battle for dominance, social competition replacing the thrill of survival.  Since moving to Columbus from a suburban area, I’ve come to miss the vast amounts of flora and fauna that once surrounded me.  Sure, OSU has its own special breed of squirrels that would gladly rough you up for some food, but I miss the little chipmunks and neighborhood cats that used to grant me their presence for a few touching moments.

I wanted to reclaim my appreciation for nature, even if I was surrounded by the city.  Even though Columbus is very much a booming urban sprawl, it has one interesting attribute that sets it apart from the rest, the Olentangy River that lazily meanders throughout and around Columbus.  I am fortunate enough to cross the Olentangy River almost every day throughout my rounds of class and love seeing how the flow of the river and which animals are present change based on the weather of that day.  I wanted to take this brief interaction one step further.  Instead of simply crossing the river, I wanted to walk along it, to experience the radiating energy of the river for a more extended period of time.

Though the weather currently doesn’t seem much in tune with long walks in nature, I thought the experience was perfect.  The cutting chill of the air and wind highlighted the softness of the leaves that fell from the trees above.  The clear sky contrasted with the deep natural tones the earth began to take on as it prepared for hibernation.  I was even able to see some animals on the way.  Little squirrels scrambled about, getting ready to bed for the winter; birds flew above in search of now ripe treats.  I felt at peace with the world again.

Now back within the shell of Columbus and specifically OSU, I can say that walking that little bit of the Olentangy River Trail was one of the best experiences I’ve had since being on campus.  The ability to step away from the stresses of college and urban life to surround oneself with nature is truly something not fully utilized and appreciated in everday life.  I hope others can find time in their day to appreciate nature, even if it is simply from the window of their dorms.  I learned that the energy of nature always thrives, even if in the confines of the city.