A Capitol Adventure

Justin Thomas and Kaliko Gadson
(combined adventure)

9/24/10

During Colloquium Class

Today, the Naturalists left the confines of the classroom for the great outdoors (the campus and surrounding city). Dave encouraged us to explore the trails less traveled--literally. We ate bitter Dogwood berries, tasted sweet fuchsia nectar, and nibbled on minty Wintergreen fruits. After traveling around Collins and observing the distinct characteristics of the flora and fauna, we made our way to the State Capitol building--we naturalists are renowned for our ability to get sidetracked by interesting and shiny things (much like crows). After busting down the floodgates and storming the main lobby, we tested out the acoustics of the central chamber. We all were astounded when we heard Carmelle's operatic vocals reverberating off of the marble walls. Then class ended, and most everyone went back to campus...but we, Kaliko and Justin, adventurers extraordinares, kept forth on the adventure of the Capitol building. Of course, we were there strictly to discover the natural history of the state monument. We found an interesting wooden statue that was made out of different slices of wood.

We visited the Senate and Rep floors, noting all of the important names inscribed on the walls. Our inquisitive/daring natures led us to enter a back door (conveniently unlocked) which led to the Senator lounge behind the floor chamber. What made this particularly exciting was that we had to climb a spiral staircase through a dark creepy room to get there. We were walking through this secret room, minding our own business, when one of the formerly dormant vending machines sprang to life. It scared the crap out of both of us and we jumped ten feet in the air. We went to explore further, and we almost exited

through another hall, but we spotted two security guards and thought it best to avoid them--we bolted back the way we came in a hurried frenzy! Kaliko tripped down the spiral stairwell. But we made it out alive. Next, we visited the north wing of the building, on the second floor, which had a nice view of a beautiful courtyard balcony. Unfortunately, the door to the balcony was locked, and it read "Senators and Staff ONLY". So we went in from the other side, where

the door was again conveniently unlocked. The door only said "Representatives and Staff ONLY". Justin, in his collared shirt, could easily pass for a representative; Kaliko posed as an aide. The backpacks weren't conspicuous at all. The marble troughs in the courtyard had many interesting types of trees, shrubs, and flowers. We identified lavender, Japanese maple, and those little yellow flowers with black centers that look like miniature sunflowers. We found an interesting little fruit-bearing shrub with small red spike-balls. Justin put one in his backpack, which he later regretted, because it got smushed and the fruit pulp was everywhere.

Later, after we got tired of being daring, we left the capitol, but we went out the back way, where we found this very awkward statue.


We think this is symbolic of pioneer sex-deprivation, and therefore has something to do with nature. If not, it's just really funny that it's on the steps of the capitol. To be fair, the image is very different if you view it from the front of the statue.