I'm sure you can understand that there was a certain amount of anxiety in the coach as we passed by the site where we lost our power steering capability on our first adventure, and then again when we passed the intersection where the garbage truck belched the dutch oven and tea kettle out of its belly right in front of us on our second adventure. (THAT WAS SCARY). We were beginning to feel the area was jinxed. Not so.
As it is late afternoon, we quickly set up camp and hop into the car for a tour of Emporia State University (formerly Kansas State Teachers College), my institute of higher learning! WOW! Nothing looked familiar! Could it be that the town has grown in my 45 year absence?
We finally reach the entrance to the campus, which thankfully, has not been rennovated.
The main thoroughfare through the older part of town is Commercial which T's into the entrance to the campus. Plumb Hall (the Administration Building) is in the background. I'm taking the picture through the car's windshield, hence the smudge across the shot.
We take a left, then a quick right to find the 2-bedroom apartment I shared with Margaret, Janis and Jane during sophomore year. #3 Center Street Apartments--they were still there, looking a bit tired and weary, but so convenient, only a block from campus!
We found a parking spot on campus easily, which surprised me until I learned that the Christmas holiday began that afternoon so few students roamed the campus. So many new buildings had been sandwiched into the open spaces I remembered that I almost felt lost. We located the Student Union after stopping for a map and directions at Plumb Hall. The dining hall that had the typical 8' foot wood/metal tables and folding chairs had been transformed into an elegant banquet hall that could rival a 5-star restaurant! A multi-million dollar renovation a few years ago expanded the Student Union building to include lounges, food court, and additional dining areas to accommodate special events and weddings, etc. It blew my mind!
 |
| This timeline display depicts the evolution of the school's mascot, (would you believe) "Corky the Hornet" |
We were the only shoppers in the Book Store that resembled a Barnes and Noble--in fact, some of the tags on the merchandise were marked with that brand. Bought a tee and sweat shirt, then continued our walking tour. Outside the Student Union building, things started to look more familiar. The bridge over Wooster Lake, Morse Hall (girls' dorm), and the stadium mostly remained unchanged and brought back a few memories.
 |
| Morse Hall was the girls' dormitory (I peered through the window of my old room on the lower level--it's a storage room full of cabinets, tables, and clutter now) |
 |
| Boys' dormitory across Wooster Lake |
As we left the campus we strolled along the entrance again. A statue of the school mascot had been erected right in front of Plumb Hall in 2004. According to my husband, my fate was sealed way back then! REALLY!
We had a nice steak dinner at Montana Mike's, returned to watch the ND Bison beat Georgia in college football and listen to the rain pelt the coach's roof. Today is sunny now and is supposed to reach into the 50's.
Stay tuned for more from Texas.
No comments:
Post a Comment