With snow in the forecast for this upcoming weekend, I decided to take advantage of this incredible day. After three hours of class, I met up with my friend from home and went exploring. After agreeing upon Mount Simon, we threw on our hiking clothes and left. Since I do not have a car on campus and neither of my friends do, it is very difficult to get to different places in Eau Claire. The last time I was at Mount Simon was during September when it was still 75 degrees out and sunny. I knew that the twenty degree different wouldn't change too much other than the color of the leaves and the grass. If Carter would never have taken me here in the beginning of the school year, I don't think I would have discovered it until next summer or this upcoming fall. Thinking back on how I felt the first time I was there, I knew that Laura would love the views and the trails. Some of the most memorable times I have with Laura are in the car, but we were both thrilled to get out of the car and explore the woods. We started by hiking the short "mountain" to the top and looking out at Eau Claire's beautiful scenery. A sense of calmness came over me as I took in how gorgeous my new town is. I grew up loving the city I was in and I was nervous leaving and starting a "new life" in a new city. It didn't take me very long to love Eau Claire and I think the reason for this is due to the gorgeous views and nature trails. Though I am not a huge nature person, I think that being surrounded by numerous old trees and the Chippewa River was the reason I felt at home. Without realizing it, Laura and I spent two hours exploring the dead woods and trails before heading to dinner. Having friends come and visit you at college is an amazing feeling. It allows you to connect your home life with your new college life. These past years I have heard the saying, "your college friends will mean so much more to you than your high-school friends ever will" and I never really believe them fully. It wasn't until October that I realized that they were right. Without even realizing it, I had created closer and better friends within one month than I did during four years. I think looking back, most of us will agree on this statement with a few exceptions. Laura, who has been a very close friend of mine for the past three years, is one of the few people I still talk to everyday that I went to high school with. Every-time we are with each other we are constantly laughing and having a great time. I have always appreciated our friendship and who she is and that is why having her here at Eau Claire with me is so special. I don't know what I am going to do without her this summer.