Raindrops on treetops and whiskers on chipmunks. Bright colored leaves and watching stumbling drunks. Staying up late and finding out what the sunrise brings. These are a few of my favorite things.
As a freshman at Ohio University, I have been exposed to many landmarks, behaviors and people that belong uniquely to Athens. Fortunately for me, my favorites don't have a price tag attached.
I can play Frisbee at midnight on East Green, people watch Uptown from the statue on College Green, listen to bands and comedians at The Front Room and play cards with my friends just about anywhere with a flat surface (and some places that don't) all without spending a dime.
But if I had to narrow it down to just one thing that I loved about Athens, it would be sitting at the top of the terrace stairs leading to Bryan Hall and soaking in the view.
In October, the terrace steps are surrounded with trees laden with golden and orange leaves, and the Ridges loom in the distance peaking out through a forest of autumn hues. I would sit there in the afternoon and study, interrupted only occasionally by students heading to class or a particularly bold squirrel.
In winter, my favorite times to sit on the terrace steps are when it is snowing at night. The lampposts' soft lights give East Green a luminescent quality. The whole campus seems to glow, and the silence is only permeated by my own breathing. The occasional headlight on Route 33 in the distance is the only sign of movement. It's perfect for when the dorms become stifling, or you need to sort out your thoughts. There's something incredibly comfortable about letting snowflakes stay on my nose and eyelashes.
During the spring, it's an excellent place to catch some shade away from the lawns crowded with half-clothed sunbathers. The birds are out in force, and it's easy to catch a cardinal or blue jay flying out of the flowering trees.
Most people avoid taking the stairs but not me. When the roommate annoys, when the stress hits, when I'm feeling sad, I simply climb to my favorite place, and then I don't feel so bad. ' Nicole Franz, freshman journalism major and Post copy editor
Court Street at 2:05 a.m. is amazing. Where else can you see puke
broken glass drunk people petting horses and girls in stilettos getting stuck in the bricks all within 20 feet?' Janet Nester, senior journalism major and a Post contributing editor
I like the fact that there is a very diverse community here people with different interests
pastimes and professional areas of pursuit. And people are tolerant of that G? You really hear some great conversations.' Provost Kathy Krendl
My favorite thing about Athens is the diversity. People are always coming or going
and you get to know a lot of different people
especially at church.' Barb Dingle, 1976 OU alumna and Athens resident
Strouds Run at 4:30 a.m. I was on the rowing team
and that's when we had practice G? The silence of it
when you're in the boat
the swishing of the water and the clicks of the oars and the locks ' that's the best part.' Liz Schnabel, alumna who is continuing to take classes at OU
The isolation. If only because it makes the people here have nothing to do so they have no choice but to bond. The town feels that much more unique and like home since there's nothing else around.' Ryan Lynch, sophomore mechanical engineering major
What I love about Athens is the fact that it's a town with a sense of humor. It's the picture of a classic college down
and driving down Palmer on a Friday night and seeing the random signs and things in people's windows proves just that. It's a town made up of college kids
and with that comes a certain colorful character.' Patrick Norman, junior, telecommunications major
The music scene here is really unique. There are excellent musicians in multiple genres
