An Adventure In Awkward "Selfies" (AKA Orientation Assignment)
This week we were given an orientation assignment, basically a columbia-wide scavenger hunt meant to orient us with town and areas we may be called upon to cover during our tenure at the Missourian. Well, a quarter tank of gas, 5 hours, and many awkward "selfies" (The 2010's low-brow equivalent of a self-portrait) later, I have the following account to share.
First things first, These are a few things I learned:
1) Columbians aren't a big fan of parks in February. It is very cold.
2) I found some new running trails (always a plus).
3) Columbia has a really great parks and rec system and we're all very lucky and probably don't take advantage of it enough (at least I don't).
4) Most of city government is conveniently located on or around Broadway.
5) Where the fairground is located.
6) The Columbia Farmer's Market is quite elusive in February. Looks like I will not be buying that handcrafted bread anytime soon.
Second things...second: A narrative retelling of my excursion.
Last weekend, I got up, begrudgingly acknowledged the 30-something temperature, threw on some clothes, got in the car, threw on The Black Keys "El Camino" (with which I feel significantly awesome) and set off about my beloved "CoMo".
First, I went to the Activity and Research Center (or ARC) because I knew where it was, and thought it was a good place to start.
Above: The exterior of the ARC as seen from the main entrance. This photo was taken at 2pm on Saturday February 9.
While at the ARC, I looked around a bit, although I was already familiar with the facility. I had used the ARC to go swimming over the previous summer. I then spoke to Erika Coffman, the Recreation Services Manager at the ARC. I asked her about winter usage and what seems to be the most popular in the winter, and the type of traffic seen in winter months. She told me that all of the facilities seemed to be equally popular. She also told me that they were very busy during the winter and that they often had an influx after New Years. The most interesting thing she told me is that they get a lot of older or "alternative" students in the ARC. She said that this often happens because they do not necessarily like the atmosphere at Mizzou's Rec Center, or feel out of place due to the younger patronage. She also commented on the fact that a lot of those student live closer to the ARC than the Rec. I think that this might be an interesting story, if not for us, then maybe someone on education? I do not know if it would pan out, but if so it could be an interesting story.
Next, I took a picture of the field where the Columbia Farmer's Market is held. The outdoor market is closed for the season, but it usually held in the large field directly in front of the ARC.
Above: The field where the Columbia Farmers Market is held. This Photo was taken at 2:30 pm on Saturday February 9.
I then decided that I should start at one of my farthest destinations and then work from there. Next I went to Rock Bridge State Park. While I had previously been to the Devils Ice Box area, I had never been to the main recreation area so I chose to go there (This is where those awkward "selfies" come into play)
Above: A picture of myself in front of the Rock Bridge State Park sign on February 9.
What? It's a really tall sign, that picture was so much harder to take then you could imagine. I also don't have a very wide range of faces I'm comfortable making in pictures so don't expect me to have a very dynamic screen presence.
While here I tried to find someone to talk to, but seeing as it was a drear 32 degrees, people weren't exactly milling about. This would have been a much more interesting post if it were done a few months from now, or if I didn't have class 9-5 on weekdays, but it is what it is. As a journalist, you have the make the best of what you are given, which I'm quickly learning isn't often ideal.
Next I went in search of the Gans Creek Recreation Area, which happened to be just a few miles down the road. I looked up an address online (that ended up not existing), and on the way I passed a few trailed named after Gans Creek. I should have just stopped there...but oh, no, I just HAD to follow apple maps (not always the smartest decision) and ended up going on a 10 mile roundtrip wild goose chase. When the original address ended up being an empty fenced off field, I went back to this area...so I'm hoping it's the right one.
Above: A picture of myself at the trailhead of the Gans Creek Recreation Area on February 9.
While here, I saw one other car parked in the parking area so I waited for that person to, hopefully, come back from running, or walking their dog, or just generally gallivanting about the wilderness...no dice.
My next destination was Hinkson Creek. This was perhaps the most complicated location on the list. Since there is no one location for a creek I had too google search for access points. One of these points is Capen Park, so I chose to go there.
Above: A picture of myself on the bridge over Hinkson Creek in Capen Park on February 9.
Ok, so this picture isn't the best. Realistically, It was probably the most complicated picture to get. Blindly trying to get both my face and enough creek in the background to discern it was a creek is difficult to say the least.
As soon as I got up from taking this beautiful picture, I saw a man approaching a bridge and thought "Hallelujah! There is a person in this park!" I approached the man, and asked him what he was doing in the park and asked his name. He told me that his name was Nick March and that he was in the park bird watching on his lunch break. We then chatted about what birds he sees most frequently (woodpeckers), why he chose Capen (it's close to his work), and if he had friends who ever joined him (Yes). I don't know if this would be important to our beat, but it could be an interesting personal story that could be covered. I took down his contact information if we wanted to pursue it as a story.
Next I made my way to Stephens Lake Park, another place on the list that I was familiar with. A few years ago I lived in a duplex on old 63 and would run there and back to work out.
Above: A picture of myself at Stephens Lake Park on February 9.
This is probably the most successful picture of the bunch, don't you think? I mean look at that moody lake background! No?...moving on...
While here I was really hoping I would see someone because it is such a popular running location, but alas...my hopes were dashed.
My next destination was the Boone County Fairground/Mid-Missouri Events Center. I have never been here before and had no idea where it was, but had wanted to see it after hearing about it when we met with the County Commissioners early in the semester.
Above: A photo of myself taken at the Boone County Fairgrounds on February 9.
See?! I tried to mix up the poses here, aren't you proud of me??
One thing I think might be interesting is to cover what has been done to transform the location, as the commissioners described, or even discuss what events occur here or what they are hoping to do with it. Maybe this is because I am somewhat isolated as a college student, but I didn't even know that Columbia had a fair grounds until the meeting we had with the commissioners.
After this I had some prior commitments so my journey was discontinued...
Fast forward to Saturday February 16, after one of the busiest weeks of my life, during which I subsided on PB&J's and protein bars out of necessity and lack of time, I was able to continue my journey.
First I went to the Gentry Building.
This is one of the few locations on the list that I was not aware of before this assignment. Although I had walked past this building man times, I had never bothered to learn what purpose it served. Due to this assignment I now know the name of the building (and also the location of the Gentry building if someone were to reference it) along with the fact that it houses Parks and Recreation among other things.
The next location on my list was the Daniel Boone Government Center. The picture is better because this time I had my roommate Abigail, also a reporter at the Missourian, with me so no "selfies" were necessary.
Above: A picture of myself in front of the Daniel Boon City Building Sign on Saturday February 16.
I am familiar with this building, this is where I pay my utility bill. My monthly visits are very important.
The next location was just across the street, the Howard Municipal Building. I noticed today, more than ever, how centralized the city and county government buildings are in Columbia. This is incredibly convenient and must ease the governing process by having all of the government employees and bodies within reach of one another. Back home things are spread about town, which doesn't exactly help with government cohesion.
Above: A photo of the Howard Municipal Building taken on February 16.
This is another building that I had often passed but rarely paid attention to. I know now that it is the Howard Municipal Building and houses the municipal courts of Columbia, among other services.
I then went to the Boone County Courthouse.
Above: The Boone County Courthouse as photographed on February 15. Doesn't it look majestic.
Really though, I had never really taken a moment to appreciate how nice our courthouse looks.
The final destination was the Boone County Government Center. This is a place that I have been to twice already in the course of reporting and expect to visit many more times in the future. It houses the county government, including the commissioners offices among other things.