McCormick’s Creek State Park
The weather has finally started to become warm here in Indiana, and the campus here at Indiana University is thriving. The second it hit 60 degrees, students were grabbing their hammocks, volleyballs, frisbees, and anything else they could gather from their dorm rooms. Hammocks are stacked 4 high inside the campus forest, and a game of spike ball is occurring outside my window as I speak.
Although I enjoyed hanging my hammock for the first time this season, and even just walking to class has become more enjoyable, the 73 degrees day called for something more extreme.
My friends and I hopped in the car, rolled the windows down, opened the sunroof, and drove north. With bagels in hand from our local bagel shop, we blasted music and enjoyed the sun beating down on our faces.
Opposite from the forest you see on your way to the Hickory Ridge Firetower, it was miles of farmland. Suddenly, we reach a sign that says McCormick’s Creek State Park. Only a 25-minute drive from campus and a whole new adventure at the tip of our fingers.
McCormick’s Creek State Park is almost 2,000 acres of forest, campsites, wildflowers, trails, and tons more your mind can’t even imagine. However, the main feature is a waterfall that is surrounded by gorgeous limestone rocks. A short walk down from the parking, a staircase digs deep into the rock wall and leads down to a wide river sourced from a waterfall to your right.
The weather was perfect, but it was peaceful because very few people thought to come here on the one nice day of the week.
As you step down the stairs, you become more engulfed in the rocks and find yourself surrounded. It wraps around you, and the upper trees and trails are suddenly out of sight.
The best part of this park, though, is the adventure to the waterfall. Now, I am sure you are picturing a gorgeous trail or a long escapade climbing over rocks and near-death experiences. Not even close.
You can practically touch the waterfall from where the stairs spit you out. However, you have to cross the river and climb up a couple of small boulders to get underneath the spraying water.
I know, some really crazy stuff here.
As an 18-year-old, this is incredibly easy and seems like it will not be any fun at all.
However; The sun blaring, the water rushing, the first spring spent as a college student, away from home, with two people I met approximately 7 months ago. Something about them mixing together created the most nostalgic feeling of playing in the South Platte River in Denver as a child.
We jumped from rock to rock, giggling as we almost slipped or someone got left behind. As we reach the other side, we climb over the rocks and around the tree, taking our time messing around as much as possible. Hanging from the trees or reaching into the water.
When we finally arrived at the waterfall, we stood there, taking in the scenery.
The water sprayed us, slowly becoming drenched. The child to our left playing with her dad on the rock. The old couple standing at the top of the stairs observing their grandchildren splashing around. Everyone was happy.
After one of the hardest winters and the last few months, it felt like a breath of fresh air. At that moment, I felt like I could get through the next couple of months of school.
For some reason, we all turned to each other, making eye contact, the mischievous grins growing, and in unison, we all screamed. The waterfall masked the noise, and not a single head turned to see what was happening.
It was like being in our own little bubble.
Sometimes I get impatient waiting for my opportunity to see the world. I daydream in class for the summer days when I can finally take my next big trip. I lay awake in bed dreaming of renovating a van and traveling the country. I impatiently wait for the day when I am not so young, or not so broke, or not stuck in school.
Sometimes it feels like all I do is wait.
And if you know anything about me, you know that this is my worst fear and most hated mentality.
I hate the idea of dreaming of the future and missing out on the present. I attempt to live every day like it could be my last, and I refuse to get to the end of my life, wishing I had done more.
I say yes to almost every opportunity given to me.
I mean, I’ve jumped out of a plane. I’ve been given a stick n poke in the backseat of a car. I climbed through a sewer cause my brother told me it would be fun. Just last week I went to a concert in the garage of some house just because we were looking for something to do on a Thursday night.
I take advantage of every moment life has to offer. I say yes far more than I say no. So the idea that the world is passing me by as I sit and wait to begin traveling rips me apart.
But I can’t drop everything and leave the country… as much as I want to.
As Peter Parker says… I’ve got homework.
This trip reminded me that I don’t have to get out of the country or even the state to start living. It was such a minuscule trip. It took no more than an hour and a half out of our day, yet, I felt like a little kid the entire time.
