Nature Category
Stone Arches and Dripping Icicles: Backpacking Adventures
Feb. 12, 2015—This past weekend, I channeled my inner nature-child, joining WilSkills for a backpacking trip. We went to the Big South Fork Recreation Area in Oneida, Tennessee, where we hiked past waterfalls, precariously melting icicles, rock shelters, and stone arches sculpted by thousands of years of erosion.
A Not-Quite-Winter Wonderland
Nov. 17, 2014—I’ve been at Vanderbilt for just over three months now, and some pretty cool things have happened. I made some great friends, learned a lot from my awesome classes, and even saw Bill Nye. But all of that pales in comparison to what happened today. Yes, lovely Inside Dores readers. Today, it snowed. I had...
Go Outside
Nov. 16, 2014—In an effort to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the season, I’ve been on three separate service trips over the past few weekends. The first was through the Outdoor Rec Center, and the second was with the environmental student org, SPEAR. Trail Maintenance & Rock-Climbing This was a half-day of trail-maintenance followed by...
Retreat Weekend
Oct. 28, 2014—This past weekend I spent Friday evening through Sunday afternoon as a staff member for the Nashville Awakening Retreat at Camp Marymount, a camp ground that’s just a quick drive headed south along West End. I have participated in this retreat every single semester since I went on it my first semester as a retreated and...
Passport to Nashville Weekend
Oct. 27, 2014—At the beginning of this month I was very, very busy. With it being midterm season AND Homecoming week my weekdays were packed with lots of time spent studying, finishing projects, planning birthday surprises for friends, seeing Bill Nye the Science Guy (Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!) and going to Commodore Quake. This meant carefully...
After Midterms, A Relaxing Break
Oct. 19, 2014—Fall break couldn’t have come any sooner. After about ten days of study study test study cram test paper study test (a.k.a. midterm week), I packed a few clothes in a duffel and drove three hours east to Ocoee, TN with friends. We spent Wednesday night in a pastoral setting, and then found a camping...
A Night in the Wild
Oct. 8, 2014—Over the weekend, I got together with 7 other guys and we went camping in Tennessee’s very own Percy Priest Lake. We knew we wanted to go camping. Then one of us mentioned a spot that he had gone once where there was both cliff jumping and canoeing involved. We were immediately sold. Fast forward...
Southern Things That Seem Scary (But Actually Aren’t)
Sep. 28, 2014—For many of us, coming to the South is like visiting a completely different world. But take it from a California kid: it's not as scary as you might think. Actually, it's kind of amazing.
So Nashville: Full Moon Pickin’ Party
Sep. 8, 2014—The finest bluegrass in all the land is found under the full moon. Yes indeed, a pure Tennessee treasure is the Pickin' Party, held in the summer moonlight at the Percy Warner Park.
After WilSkills
Aug. 27, 2014—The outdoor recreation experience at Vanderbilt goes beyond WilSkills. Read more for a list of all the cheap/free ways to get involved and get outside!