GINNA NGUYEN
Staff Writer
Her cheeks were wet, the wind blowing the cold snow around her face. His nose was turning rosy from wintry weather. Two pairs of eyes gazed out from their hooded and huddled figures across the vast canyon and saw only the silhouettes of their companions against the white curtain that was their surrounding.
While standing on the cliff’s edge and peering into the hidden abyss below, the storm lifted to reveal a beauty unfathomable to anyone at first glance. The Grand Canyon in all its glory lay spread out at their feet, beckoning for these tiny adventurers to come explore her grandeur and contemplate her depths.
That was Spring Break 2005. Spring Break 2006 is just around the corner. While many students have already organized plans to spend their week off, it is not too late to scheme up the trip of a lifetime. Destinations popular for Pepperdine students include Mexico’s beach resorts, as well as Europe and Lake Tahoe, Calif.
These are all beautiful and fun places, but there are also plenty of great options for students who cannot afford a luxury resort vacation or who seeek the relaxation that exists away from the party crowds and long lines.
Going home or visiting old friends is one option for Spring Break. Senior Leanna Copeland is headed to Chattanooga, Tenn., to visit a long-time friend.
“The best part of this trip,” she said, “is that I get to spend a week on the other side of the country and pay only airfare fees. Seriously, mooching off one of your favorite people is the way to go.”
Preparations for senior art shows and grad tests seem to be keeping several upperclassmen around campus. Art major Jenna Staples plans to spend time painting and letting the week reveal itself, with impromptu trips to coffee shops and other funky outings.
Senior Monica Rodriguez is stuck deciding between having a necessary surgery and getting away for her last Spring Break.
“My friend invited me to go on a road trip, so I may go do that.”
For students like Rodriguez, Los Angeles is the perfect trailhead for an inexpensive camping road trip. Within a six-hour driving radius lie beaches, mountains, canyons, desserts, forests, rocks and rivers enough to fill any adventure-seeking heart.
Alumna Katie Clary, class of 2005 describes her last Spring Break as “unscripted perfection.”
“What made it so wonderful is that our road trip allowed room for spontaneity. I think the trick to an incredible Spring Break is bringing in something you’ve always, always wanted to do and making that possible. Start by brainstorming with the sky as the limit and then get down to what’s realistic but always in that order.”
Clary said her trip consisted of nine days, five locations and four imaginative minds.
The majority of the trip was spent in Zion Canyon National Park located in southwest Utah. It is the historic place of inspiration for the Mormon religion, yet its grandeur is a catalyst of pure awe for all people. Zion has a plethora of activities, ranging from easy strolls along rivers and strenuous hikes up canyon peaks to big wall rock climbing and backcountry slot canyons. It is best visited during late winter, as the crowds have not yet arrived.
Although one’s tent might be pitched next to a retired couple’s RV, it simply adds to the pleasure of waking up to glowing red sunlight bouncing off the high-rising rocky fortresses and the cool breeze of a stream just a few feet away.
So how does one turn loose plans into enjoyable success? It is highly encouraged to those looking for a fun getaway to utilize these natural resources right at hand. Pick a direction on the compass and go that way!
While a trip to Cabo or Rome may cost $1,000 or more, the total cost of a road trip through the southwest United States can be under $300, depending on distance, time and number of companions. And though the cost is less, the fun is not.
For assuring a road trip’s peaceful flow, Clary recommends taking into account your traveling companions.
“The crucial element to an awesome Spring Break is obviously who you travel with. Flexibility and group cohesion here is key. I was graced with three amazing friends endowed with the creative powers to have fun no matter what we were doing. I enjoyed sitting in camp and cooking dinner as much as I enjoyed hiking.
She continued by adding, “If possible, go with friends who won’t care if you have to turn the car around because you forgot your boots. Twice.”
Alumnus Jesse Black (2004) agreed, saying that a trip is incomplete without spur-of-the-moment delights. “Because of the cold weather of our trip, we developed inside jokes that basically degenerated into a thinly disguised dare at who would take off the most clothes and when, and at what crazy locale.”
Black further recommends friendships and spontaneity as key.
“You really have to just drive somewhere, get out and do things,” he said. “The fun will create itself. If it doesn’t, then find new friends.”
Yet, while spontaneity is essential, without a basic plan of where and when one is going can lead to frustration, irritation and wasted supplies.
It is also imperative to be prepared when venturing out into the wild. The unexpected is positive to happen, such as having to kayak five miles in the rain, bloody cuts and bug bites.
Once prepared, all that is left is to roam! Find the things that are lacking in school life. Find what feeds the soul. For these four friends, it was adventure and communing with one another in nature. Here in these special places they found a little piece of the earth to call home. As famous naturalist John Muir says, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. /Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. /The winds will blow their own freshness into you.”
02-16-2006
