If any of you are like me, being cooped up in your room or house multiple days probably sounded great at the beginning of March. You could live in your bed and eat anytime you wanted to; it was going to be paradise. But as you kept spending more of your time indoors and saw the numbers of cases going up, you realized that you were going to be stuck in a bubble for longer than you expected. Then came the daily walks so you could take a break from seeing the same four walls all day. It can feel the same way here at Andrews University, but that does not have to be the case. Here are a few suggestions for getting outside during nice late-summer weather.
A great place to go when you need a break from the campus is the St. Joseph Beach. Just a 20-minute drive from Berrien Springs, you can arrive at Lake Michigan and the city of St. Joseph. While it’s still warm, it’s a great place to swim and sit in the sun (and to work on the tan you missed getting this summer). A sophomore here at Andrews, Crystal Collins (sophomore, major), said “What I like most about the beach are the beautiful sunsets. Despite the pandemic, I can still enjoy the view with my mask on.”
For those who are limited in their transportation, taking a walk to our campus dairy is a great way to vary your normal scenery. Even though the dairy was shut down recently, all the animals are still living there. You can see goats, cows, and even peacocks. “The goats are really loveable and they’ll walk right up to you so you can pet them,” says Casey Gultom (junior, aviation).
This one is also for those who may be limited to biking or walking places: walking to the downtown area of Berrien Springs. This is for those who want a little bit longer of a walk or bike ride or just desperate enough for something else to eat The trek may seem long, but the result is worth it. You can go to the local Asian stores like Mabuhay and pick up some boba and lumpia or visit the local Korean store and get ramen.
The weeks before fall and the unbearable winter are fleeting, so now is the time to take advantage of the sun and the 75-degree weather. Be safe, stay healthy, and let’s enjoy our time at Andrews this year.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.