I think that nature offers something different to everyone. While some might enjoy the manicured beauty of Lafayette’s campus, others might find satisfaction in a more remote, untouched natural setting. Personally, I’ve always been drawn to the latter.

In today’s class we talked about what nature is and where it exists. I mentioned that nature is beauty. Throughout my life, I’ve always been drawn to places that we define as “natural.” Whether it is the mountains, a lake, or the ocean, I love being outdoors, exploring “nature.” However, my love for the outdoors has always surrounded the mountains and lakes that surround my home in New England. When I came to Lafayette as a freshman, I was worried that I was giving up the natural environment that I had grown up enjoying. Since then, however, I’ve come to realize that this part of the country (while different) still offers its own form of natural beauty. I’m really looking forward to Cultures of Nature because I believe that it will allow me to better understand and love the natural environment that surrounds Lafayette College. I hope to come away from this course with an answer for today’s question of “what is nature?”

Below are some pictures I’ve snapped of some of my favorite natural places.