Hello, and welcome to the woods! I'm Lauren, a '27 from Munger, Michigan. On campus, I enjoy writing sports for The Dartmouth, going on as many DOC trips as I can, and being an active member of a few political groups. I also love Woccoming, doing the crossword, and hanging out with my friends in FFB.
This weekend, I had the chance to visit Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire. I went on a trip led by three members of Flora and Fauna, a sub-club of the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC), with a group of eight other students. Flora and Fauna focuses on connecting students with the nature that surrounds them, and this trip was particularly centered around birding and exploring the tidepools and salt marshes in the area.
We left from behind Robinson Hall at 7:00 AM on Sunday, and headed two hours southeast to the coastline. On the van trip to Rye, the group spent time getting to know each other, working on schoolwork, and catching up on sleep!
When we arrived at Odiorne Point, the leaders of the group spent a few minutes passing out binoculars and field guides to everyone on the trip. Then, they went over a few birds and other creatures we could expect to see during our trip and taught us how to identify them.
During our trip, we spotted many birds. I personally saw a few loons, a woodpecker, and several sparrows. We also saw a cardinal, which was exciting for a member of our trip who grew up in California and had never seen one before!
I've previously visited the Atlantic Ocean, but only in Florida. It was amazing to see another beautiful aspect of New Hampshire, the state I now call home. I also appreciated the opportunity to connect with other students who are just as passionate about the outdoors as I am. It's incredibly fun to see other people get excited about birds, bugs, and other creatures like I do!
After a while spent exploring the beach, we headed across the road to look at the salt marsh pond system. I had never seen this type of ecosystem before, so I enjoyed using my binoculars to scope out my surroundings.
For lunch, we enjoyed hummus, salami, and cheese on bread along with snack peppers and carrots. I love getting to know new people over a meal, so this was one of my favorite moments of the trip. Although I love FoCo (Class of 1953 Commons, our dining hall), it's nice to get a break and eat a meal outdoors!
Our lunch spread!
After leaving Odiorne Point State Park, we headed to Trader Joe's in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for a fun stop before returning to Hanover. I stocked up on tea and fall-themed snacks, which I can't wait to share with my friends here. I also bought a bouquet of tulips to brighten up my dorm room!
Since going on this trip, I have felt rejuvenated and excited to be back in Hanover. When you take time away from campus, you realize how lucky you are to be in such an amazing place. I hope to go on several other DOC trips during my time at Dartmouth, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a quick break from campus, or just a fun experience
It's easy to forget how easy it is to access walking trails during the hustle of a Dartmouth term. As graduation nears, I am reminded of how special it is to step off campus and enjoy quiet moments in nature.
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