Running In Charlottesville, VA
It has been 25 years (gulp!) since I graduated from U.Va., but sometimes it does feel like just yesterday. Last week when a business trip took me back to Hooville, I started my day by running down memory lane.
The first apartment I lived in wasn’t new even back then, so I wondered if it would still be there, but I even remembered the exact address.
Ah, the memories of boiling water for Ramen noodles on the old gas stove
and hiding my roommate’s cats from the landlord!
The little market where I stocked up on those Ramen noodles and Coke was still there, but there was a “new” gas station across the street.
Around the corner, Wahoo Wash beckoned with the promise of clean clothes.
I don’t know how I lugged my laundry back and forth without a car,
but I distinctly remember the struggle when my laundry bag was particularly heavy.
Those washing machines look awfully familiar. I’m sure they’ve been replaced, though.
My main goal when running through grounds was to spot the Chemistry building.
It was surrounded by several new buildings and annexes, but I found it!
Now that it was finally starting to get light, I headed for The Lawn,
the part of the University that dates to Thomas Jefferson’s day,
and where a select few students get live in rustic rooms.
The focal point of The Lawn is The Rotunda.
It was still a bit too dark for my iPhone,
but by the time I made it around to the other side the sky was much lighter.
I ran down Rugby Road (address of many fraternities),
saw some groups working out in Madison Bowl,
and ran across Madison Bridge, which is a quasi-officially sanctioned “public forum”
with layer upon layer of painted messages–a “tradition” that dates back to 1901!
Of course, I ended my run at the Starbucks on The Corner,
which definitely wasn’t there back in the day.
(Not that I could have afforded it!)
Have you taken a walk (or run) down memory lane?
Are the dark mornings impacting your routine?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I do think about the fact I wanna get back to OHIO and KENYON COLLEGE where I actually did … wog a little and RUNLIKEAMISFIT there through and down memory lane.
it has been decades.
I never did any running as a student – unless I was late for class! ‘-)
Coco – I just went back to visit UVA this week and blogged about it as well, WAHOOWA!
http://gratefulrunnergirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/you-win-some-you-lose-someand-i-lost.html
So funny! We almost took the same picture. 😉
I’ve never visited UVA’s campus but know that it’s gorgeous. Your photos confirm that. I’ve taken a couple of walks and runs down memory lane. It’s fascinating the emotions and memories that flood my system.
What a super fun trip down memory lane – I haven’t been back to my college town in over 20 years – running through town would definitely bring back a lot of memories!
I hadn’t been back in ages!
What a fun idea to run back through old memories!!
It was definitely a different perspective!
Beautiful.
I’m so glad there wasn’t a Starbucks around when I was an undergrad. I would never have had the funds either.
I didn’t go away for school…I stayed in my hometown so I guess I walk down memory lane every day lol
The mornings are so much darker. It doesn’t impact my schedule other than the fact I still think it’s night time by the time I get up 😉