PLU Outdoor Recreation: Experiencing Nature in the Pacific Northwest

Summer has treated the Pacific North West extremely well this year and seems to still be clinging on before slipping into fall. The first few weeks of school have been absolutely gorgeous giving us plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. That is why I jumped at the chance to sign up for some of this year's Outdoor Recreation trips. 

Photo: Madeleine Brekke

Outdoor recreation strives to serve students and the rest of the PLU community through providing weekend trips, educational opportunities, integrated course curriculum and on-campus programming. Trips are available to ALL students, staff and faculty and are designed to incorporate low-budget needs. Trips are guided by trained student volunteers and you can see them around campus after a great trip! Trips may include biking, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, camping, fishing, river floating, bonfires and backpacking!

Unfortunately the kayaking trip to the Puget Sound was full, but I was able to sign up for a hiking trip to one of the alpine lakes in the area with one of my roommates. It was a really beautiful day and felt so good to get off campus and into nature. The landscape in Washington reminds me a lot of the landscape at home in Norway. It looked and felt as if we were teleported back to Norway at times on the trail.

The hike was around about 7 miles round trip, 3,5 being straight up the side of the mountain, to a beautiful, clear lake. Were we had OR food and soaked up some rays. It was a nice break from homework (which happened later that night) and was a great way to end the weekend! I am looking forward to many more trips with OR before I graduate. It is a great way to see the PNW and get outside! I highly encourage all international students to participate as it creates great opportunities to meet domestic students an bond with new friends!

Mason Lake

The water was so clear!

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." 
- Eleanor Roosevelt

PLU student, Rose, pondering by the lake.

To find more info about Outdoor Recreation and the trip schedule check out their website here:
https://sites.google.com/a/plu.edu/asplu-outdoor-recreation/

Check out their Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/PLU-Outdoor-Recreation/222319567822559

The hiking group! Photo: Rose

I want to specifically thank my OR guides Reza and Francis for being awesome and keeping us all safe!

Madeleine