The Outlook at the Gorge
A thin trail crawling through the middle of the woods, leaves and twigs crunching
underneath your feet. the wind biting your face. strange sounds echoing in the dis
tance. No, this is not a scene from The Blair Witch Project. It is the path that leads to
my all-time favorite nature spot at Behrend: the Gorge.
I still recall the exhilarating view the first time I took that final step on the trail. That
one step unexpectedly led me to the edge of the cliff, also referred to as "The Oulook."
The magnificent drop off, the green blanket of trees below, the long stream that creeps
though the valley, the mist that hangs over the tree-tops, the mysterious air of depth,
the faded blue horizon and the adrenaline rushing through my mind. Definitely breath
taking!!
This is one spot at I3ehrend that provides a mixture of mystery, fear, serenity, and
adventure. Whether in the middle of the scorching sun of the summer, or in the horri
fying winds of winter. the beauty never ceases to captivate one's eye. So, take a book;
take a pillow; take a friend; throw a pebble. Whatever you do, I can guarantee the thrill
that the Outlook will provide. Being a nature lover, I revel in the beauty of the Gorge,
especially of the Outlook. Just make sure you don't take one too many steps on
that trail...
Living in the "hoonies, - I discovered stargazing at a relatively young age. Regardless of the problem. all I had to do as look upward
a boundless sea of stars to realize how small the matter really was. Stargazing has been a saving grace throughout my life so far.
I viewed coming to Behrend as a stepping stone into my future, but more concretely as a smooth transition to liniversit:, Park within the
next year or so. No matter where I go, I will always have the stars to "guide" me, or at least to calm me. That is, unless the lights from
campus are glaring in my eyes! Pretty and beneficial as they are, the lights along the walkways of campus hinder a decent vie \‘ of the sky
However, there is a satisfactory path around this obstacle, and it is to be found behind the Otto Behrend Science Building. There are no
lights on the small section of land where the observatory is located, and the glow of the other campus lights is at a minimum. This is a
decent place to set up a telescope and explore space, or to just look up at the sparkling beyond and wonder (wander?) aimlessly.
Because I often use the night's sky to set myself back in my place, the land around the observatory is my fa orite site on campus.
Heavenly Devil's Backbone
By Erin McCarty
I follow the upward rambling path through the forest,
making the short but arduous journey to my destination.
The thick cover of trees gives way to a grassy clearing. I'm
almost there. I carefully make my way along the cliff edge,
taking care not to get too close.
And then I see it. It's a narrow cliff-top clearing, a com
bination of hard grey rock and pale green grass. From this
unique vantage point, I can see for miles around. If I'm
feeling especially brave. 1 may bend over and peek down
at the creek rushing through the gorge. Looking up into the
vast expanse of purplish pink sky, I think I catch a fleeting
glimpse of a hawk preparing to begin his nightly prowl.
They call this spot Devil's Backbone, and a look over the
edge easily reveals why. More than one student has lost his
footing and succumbed to the icy grip of death below. Still,
in spite of the dangers—or maybe in part because of them—
I come here and feel invig o rated. Abundant life surrounds
me, and I fall to my knees in gratitude...as soon as I'm safe
back in the woods!
by Rehab Elzeney
By the Observatory
Erin's Tree
at the Gorge
by Erin Henninger
I was worried that my favorite spot on campus
would only be conducive to fair weather, hut my
tree at the lookout of the Wintergreen Gorge came
through and proved to have an even more spectacu
lar vista with the snow.
The best way for students to get a full apprecia
tion of my tree is for them to take a good long walk,
or for the more determined, a good long run, through
the beautiful trails that run parallel to the Gorge on
the western side of campus.
It is virtually impossible to get lost hack there
because the trails are so well worn. So there are no
excuses for avoiding this awesome part of our cam
pus.
The lookout point lies behind the parking lots of
Ohio Hall. My tree is on the left, just at the edge of
the slope. Like nature's Lazy Boy. the roots and trunk
form a perfect recliner. You'll save yourself a trip to
counseling and advising if you just conic out here
and unwind by watching, listening, and breathing
in the serenity.
Look at the fall foliage, watch the birds practice
for migration, breathe in the cool air, and clear your
mind. Oh yeah, and watch your step.
By Leanne Acklin
First Floor of the Library
By Chantel Gray
I am a college student. I am a commuter. When
I'm trying to study, it gets a little noisy around the
house sometimes! Instead of losing my sanity and
tearing the phone out of the wall, I go to the library.
The first floor of the library is my favorite spot on
campus, because it is where I go to study. I know
that if Igo there, I will get my work done. I am
easily distracted while trying to study, so the library
is a good place where I won't have any distractions.
I would recommend the library to anyone who, like
myself, is easily distracted and cannot find another
quiet spot otherwise. At least there, you won't lose
your sanity!
This Week's Issue Credits
Photos of Rehab Elzeney, Erin McCarty, and
Doug Smith by Erin Henninger.
Photos of Chantel Gray and Jessi Dearolf by
Keenan Hansen.
Photo of Angela Majoris by Tim Denial.
Photo of Erin Henninger by Rehab Elzeney.
Last Week's Issue Credits
Photos of Karl Benacci, Adam Costa, Kristin
Grudowski, Katie Przepyszny, and Becky
Weindorf by Nicole Greene.
Photos of Jermaine Hardy, Raechel Kiska,
and Rob Wynne by Keenan Hansen.
Photo of Christine Kleck by Erin Henninger.
by Jennifer Primerano
What has a carpet, four desks, a small couch and remains quiet? Yep, you guessed it...the second floor study lounge
of Niagara Hall
A few weeks ago, I had a big psychology test to study for on a Sunday night. My dorm room was invaded by tons of
people saying "hi" after returning from weekends at home and eagerly volunteering details which I didn't have any
time to hear. I had only been to the library once, and since it was a cold night, I didn't feel the urge to put on my coat
and take the long walk down the hill. Also, I was in a bummy mood, modeling my cozy sweatpants and warm socks.
I needed a comfortable place to study and memorize the intricate parts of the ear and eye that 1 would be tested on the
next day.
That's when it happened! I asked a friend of mine if there was a study lounge somewhere in the building, and she
directed me to the second floor room. The room was empty, so luckily, no one would distract me from my Psycholog'
hook. I quickly made myself comfortable on the two-seat couch and threw my brother my bookbag down beside me.
Finally, I was ready to begin!
Occasionally, however, the girls in the adjacent room were quite loud, causing me to peek up from my notes every
once in a while. I learned to block them out, or sometimes, I actually found myself laughing at some of the comments
I overheard. Everyone needs a bit of humor when a stressful time approaches! That was the only drawback I discov
ered in the second floor study lounge.
. .
- _
I spent a few hours curled up on that couch, and no one else opened the door, except the RA on duty just checking
things out as usual. Needless to say, I took the test the next day and got an A! That second floor study lounge in
Niagara Hall is now my favorite place on campus!
Of all the little nooks on campus, my favorite place to go is the Almy study lounge.
The ironic thing about my favorite place is that I am not a residence of the Almy Hall, so
I must be escorted to relax in my favorite spot. Whenever Raechel calls me to study
with her, Daniel, and I scurry around to find my books and I sprint up to Almy as
fast as I can to take advantage of my limited, supervised study session.
What could possibly be so great about a study lounge? Well, this lounge is fully
equipped with comfortable office chairs, an oval table for all to gather around, and a dry
erase board, which is hidden in the cabinet on the wall. Not only does the dry erase
board prove to be useful for math or chemistry problems, it is perfect for intense games
of Pictionary during short study breaks.
I must say though, even with the wonderful atmosphere that the Almy study lounge
provides, I still do not like to study, but at least here I can sit and savor my surroundings.
I recommend the Almy study lounge to anyone who needs a new place to concentrate.
Niagara Study Lounge
Almy Study Lounge
by Jessi Dearolf
The Creek through
the Gorge
The hike down may be a challenge, but it's
well worth it. The slow moving water is the
only sound that can be heard, which makes
this spot a wonderful place to enjoy the peace
of nature. The stresses of college life, the con
stant contact with people, and the many prob
lems that everyone has at one point or another
all seem easier to deal with when enjoying
this serene spot. The trails down (if they are
trails at all) are not always easy, but that makes
the journey there so much more invigorating.
The gorge is like a swallowed world, with the
many demands of life lying far above. The
creek can be as useful for celebrating a good
day and a love for life as it is for washing
away tears that no one else will ever need to
by Angela Majoris