The first hints of green can be seen reaching through the leaves and the crocus is coming out of its hiding place in order to feel the warm rays of the spring sun. The small purple flower has been waiting for this time to come, its bulb sheltered beneath the surface, hiding from the snow and harsh temperatures. But something has changed: the world above doesn’t seem as unforgiving.

Like the crocus we too are once again able to emerge from our hiding places and bloom. The outdoors during spring constantly reminds us of what life is like without the burden of the snow and cold. The forgotten smell of warm earth is the ground’s way of saying “I missed you” as it too thaws from the winter. The birds are glad to see you as well, singing in a happy chorus which hasn’t been heard in ages. The new warm weather allows us to be free.

Free from the heavy clothes that have kept us warm, free from the indoor spaces in which we found shelter; we are now free to explore. There are many ways to explore the land around us during the spring, from walking on newly uncovered trails to paddling a freshly thawed river, still cold to the touch.

This past Monday a group of five students who had had enough of spending every night confined to their rooms ventured to the Kip Trail, spending the night in a lean-to just over a mile from campus.

The group made a fire and cooked dinner as the swollen river whispered to them in the distance. Their fireside conversations lasted into the night. As the last glowing embers of the fire burnt out, a beaver slapped its tail in the distance. The campers drifted off to sleep happy that they were once again able to spend the night out in the fresh air.

As we go about our lives during these last five weeks on campus it is important to remember how much our area has to offer. Numerous trails beg to be explored. Soon the canoe shack will open its doors, reminding us of the wonders that the Little and Grasse Rivers have to offer.

As the snow melts away the Adirondacks will become more and more accessible and the days to explore them will grow in length. Like the crocus, this time of the year we must go outside in order to bloom.

Keep an eye out for Outing Club trips such as the Kip Trail trip depicted in this story as they as the weather allows us to run them more frequently.