Mid-Campus Grotto

Speaking of stopping to notice what is around you, has anyone ever noticed the mini pond next to the bell tower?  It is right behind Stanley Coulter, and is surrounded by an array of lovely shrubs and flowers that range in lots of different colors and sizes.  The first time I discovered it was last year, and I was taken completely by surprise.  It is in a quaint little location, and is actually almost completely hidden by all the plants in the spring and summer months.  One day I got bored and I decided to go check the area out and see what it was all about.  

First of all, there are little stone ledges and steps to sit on, as well as nooks and crannies that allow you to sit and escape into your own little world.  When you are in the encircled area you get this strange feeling like everyone walking by can see you and is watching you.  It is so out in the open, yet in reality most people don't even know it is there.  The pond has a fountain in the middle, but for some reason is turned off most of the time (this is a mystery to me, and I really want to know why sometimes it's off for no reason).  If there are other people there when you visit, don't plan on making new friends anytime soon.  It's not that people are standoffish or unfriendly, it's just that every one that I have ever seen there has been studying/doing homework, reading a book, listening to music, etc.  It is kind of like a secret haven of relaxation in the middle of an otherwise (at times) chaotic campus. 

The one downfall of the mid-campus grotto is that in the winter, it's not one of the most relaxing places to be.  Other than the frequent frigid temperatures that Indiana is notorious for, in the wintertime the otherwise beautiful little pond becomes a vision of death and depression.  All the water is drained, the flora has died, and no one wants to go near the sad little patch of hard stone ground.  It is at this time that you can not even begin to picture the beauty and loveliness that it was just a few months earlier.  

But in the warm months, this place is a truly alluring and calming getaway from all the stress and hectic deadlines that college students have to meet.  We are really lucky to have a place on campus that can allow us to enjoy the great scenery (and squirrels) that our awesome alma mater has to offer.  I strongly suggest you go check it out and spend time there now because within a month or two it will be otherwise out of commission for quite some time.  If you are looking for a new place to just relax, this is definitely it.