Week 4, Blog 3 (Freewrite)

Life at BYU: four treacherous steps to campus.

The walk to campus from Glenwood in the winter is a trek made by only the bravest of souls. I've divided the journey into four main parts, each boasting its own dangers. We'll start out in the warmth of the apartment building, bundled from head to foot with all necessary attire: shoes (these can't be the simple slip-ons so many girls brave their walks to school in—you'll find out why soon enough), jacket, coat, (the double layer is always necessary), gloves, scarf (this is optional), and a hat or hood (never ok to go without; snow falls in Utah at any given time).

1 Heading out into the cold, the first section of our journey begins. This section includes waiting at the stoplight at University Avenue, crossing the street, and walking south toward the carwash. At least five minutes should be planned for the wait at the light, and extreme caution in foot placement is essential, especially in the parking lot but also for the rest of the trek.

2 The second section begins at the Big Metal Pipe behind the carwash, which is probably the most dangerous obstacle of the whole trip. Icy pathways are forged through the snow piles that dominate both sides of the Pipe, and stepping over it is often a matter of life or death. Good shoes are mandatory. Once on the other side, however, the whole second section still stretches on through a parking lot of never-melting black ice. Section two only ends when our traveler reaches the light at Canyon Road.

3 Five minutes should also be planned for the wait at the light at the beginning of section three because the intersection must be crossed twice, albeit this light is much faster at changing than the first. Section three takes us down a friendlier part of the journey where a sidewalk is supplied and snow is plowed away. It ends, however, in the parking lot of the RB where things get slick and the pavement slopes. Footing must be carefully selected here.

4 The fourth section requires a decision to be made: north campus means heading for the Tanner building, up the stairs (easier said than done), and through the 4^th floor doors to class. For southern campus, the RB stairs loom ahead. Prime physical condition is very ideal for either choice. The threshold at the top of the stairs marks the end of our excursion and the beginning of a brand new day in life…at BYU!