Senior year just began a few weeks ago, and I simply cannot believe that my time at Hopkins is finally waning. From my first days on campus in my single in AMR I, to moving into my beautiful apartment off campus, I have found each year here to get better and better.
This semester is one of my busiest, what with TAing, class, research, clubs, and making time for fun, every minute of my day is booked. Running here and there doesn’t bother me one bit; I wouldn’t like it any other way. However, this semester, I have decided to make the most of every weekend I get, especially with drab winter approaching. Now that I have my car here (and more importantly, free parking for my car), I have been taking to the highways every weekend and exploring my surroundings even more! I just hope I can keep this up once the semester starts to kick into high gear!
Thus far, I have had the opportunity to explore both Maryland and DC thoroughly. Enjoy these pictures from my trips to:
1. Patapsco Valley State Park, MD: Great scenery and easy hikes make this place the perfect site for a relaxing Sunday (with time to make it back and BBQ with friends!).
Patapsco, MD
2. Cumberland, MD: An adorable little town with a great coffee shop with breathtaking views for hiking, paddle boarding, and an all-around good, wholesome time. The drive there from Baltimore was gorgeous! I drove through a valley in Maryland, and could not believe the lush wildlife that was everywhere. Who knew Maryland could be so beautiful!
Cumberland, MD
3. Chesapeake Bay, MD: A short drive away from Baltimore, this gem is one of the most beautiful, and one my most favorite spots in Maryland. What we imagined would be a large beach like Atlantic City, turned out to be an isolated cove, warm water, and jellyfish (non-poisonous, don’t worry) swimming around you in the softest sand I have ever felt!
4. Washington, DC: While I interned in DC just 2 summers ago, going back to DC to be like a tourist and enjoy the great museums and visit the White House was a great day trip! I went to the botanical gardens, a spot I haven’t been to since the 8th grade with my Ann Arbor, Michigan middle school! The architecture in DC is an amazing combination of new and old, so appreciating the different culture there was a great experience too!
All of these places are just an hour or 2 at most away, and a great getaway with a bunch of friends!