As the weather continues to warm up students become restless with anticipation for summer vacation. As a college student with graduation right around the corner, this restlessness has been amplified in the last couple weeks. Senioritis began months ago for my roommates and me resulting in diminishing motivation to study. To calm our excitement for graduation and summer fun, we incorporate fresh air into our anti-stress regimen.
Being dedicated students and fitness enthusiasts, we often combine our studying with exercise. All winter we have been stuck inside studying on ellipticals, treadmills, and stationary bikes, feeling like hamsters. As the snow began to melt we became excited for our self-mapped four-mile course that includes the Mississippi Riverwalk in Dubuque, Iowa. On a recent run, we decided to take in nature at its fullest.
As we started down Loras Boulevard, we took note of plants and attempted to name and categorize them using our knowledge from last semester’s course in Plant Biology. A right on Bluff Street and left onto 3rd Street took us past the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. “That’s where I work!” I exclaimed with pride for my position as a 1 Mississippi intern and excitement for working at such a great place.
We then reached the Riverwalk and slowed our pace to take in the beauty of the Mississippi. The green banks and fresh air quickly refreshed our information-overloaded brains. The sight of ducks initiated quiz questions from our Evolutionary Ecology class about optimal foraging theory and the importance of biodiversity.
“Half way done” we reminded ourselves as we neared the end of the Riverwalk. We weave back through downtown and allowed ourselves to walk up Loras Boulevard (a miserably large hill) as a cool down, continuing the discussion about topics introduced in Evolutionary Ecology.
Our adventure concluded with a glass of water on our front porch swing from which we are able to see the River. Feeling relaxed and refreshed, I began to wonder what our world will look like in the future. I hoped that my future children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the River as I do. I hoped that they will also have opportunities to take in the splendor of the Mighty Mississippi.
