A singular beaten track of earth surrounds the Westminster Campus. It is utilized by the cross country team all the way to alumni who experienced the early days of the school. The Paul A. Koshewa Cross Country Trail holds many memories for me. It is a place where I would take my dogs on long walks through the woods. Where I would get back in shape after a well-fed winter break with long 2 mile runs. It was where my friends and I had to collect water from Nancy Creek to test in 5th-grade science.
This trail twists and turns through the woods and along Nancy Creek bordering the entire campus displaying some of the more picturesque views of the property. The Summer Camp bridge connects to the trail near the parking lot of the Gymnasium. This Bridge served as a symbol of growing older when I was told to cross it, leaving my cub scout troop behind on one side, and join the Boy Scouts on the other side. I may have left the Boy Scouts as soon as they proposed the idea of selling popcorn, due to not seeing the point, but that is a different story. The Summer Camp held numerous field days where I got closer to classmates through doing various challenges like the water balloon toss. The trail also served as a place for inspiration as we would walk the trail with sketchbooks tasked with the opportunity to illustrate a part of nature that grabbed us.
In Junior High, I experienced an early relationship kiss along a secluded part of the trail that made me believe in love for the first time. At that moment the woods stood still and I knew I was forever linked to that place. The winding path gently guides you and takes you out of the loop of time and gives you a chance to ponder whatever flows into your thoughts. It is a place that is always open to anyone in the Westminster community that may need a respite from the world and a place to cool their head. The noise of water babbling alongside you while you calmly put one foot in front of the other brings a sense of serenity that is hard to find. If you ever have a chance to take a pause and journey into the wooded trail, I suggest you take it and let your mind wander.
