Journal 4- Hoblitzelle Camp

I am currently peering out into a lily pad filled lake at Hoblitzelle Camp & Conference Center.  It is a warm autumn day; the perfect warm where it feels like I am wearing a cozy blanket, but I am not sticky and sweaty from the relentless humidity. The shoreline of the lake is pervaded with lily pads that range in size and shades of green. Some of the lily pads protrude out of the water and tower above those that rest on the surface. One of the lily pads I am looking at is easily twice the size of my head (a whole lot of frogs could perch themselves on this thing!) The water is calm and so is everything else about this camp. I don’t see many clouds in the sky, only a few scattered faint outlines of white. There is a bright blue glow when I look up but a rich green glow as I look down. The trees and lush grass reflect off of the water. The moist environment has created a habitat for a multitude of creatures, both seen and unseen. Last night I could hear the chatter of crickets and I even got to encounter an armadillo. Unfortunately I also suffered the effects of mosquitos lurking and landing on me as one of their many victims. As I squint into the water, I don’t see any fish but I know they are in there. I am curious about the kinds that are present. Birds are communicating loudly with one another—having a dialogue that I can only understand as possibly mating calls. The birds stand perched in trees all over the camp; they remind me of the masses of birds that often occupy the wires that run above the street lights right outside of University plaza. Sometimes it feels like attack of the birds.

             It is peaceful out here because I can’t hear the sound of cars. The only mode of transportation I have heard is the sound of a golf cart. The air feels fresher—crisper. The only aspect of the camp that could be better is if the leaves of the trees were filled with shades of red, yellow, and orange. I miss the colorful trees that shed their leaves and result in massive piles of crunchy colorful happiness. I can envision my nephew sprinting, leaping, and landing in the pile and being overcome by laughter. But for now, I am content with where I’m at even without the full fall effect. I love talking with people outside on days like this because I feel like I notice their features in a new light. It is bright and the sun highlights every shade of eye color I look into. My friend Lucy has sea foam green eyes. My friend Paige has rich milk chocolate brown with speckles around the iris. My friend Shelby has hazel eyes that appear a light brown toward the center but spiral into a green gold color. I am able to see every freckle of my friends. I am able to see the baby hairs that frame some of their faces and jut out without any uniformity. I am able to see all of the imperfections and perfections of each face with a much clearer vision. The colors and the brightness of the outdoors highlight the beauty and intricacy of each face. This is another reason I love nature—it is revealing of people (figuratively and metaphorically!)

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