Several weeks into summer vacation, many adventures have been taken and memories have been made in the hometowns of Ravens across the United States. While these adventures and memories have surely brought many smiles and a lot of laughter to BC students, there are several aspects of Atchison, Kansas, that make these students miss their second home just a little (or a lot). Here are 15 things BC students miss about this "chosen place."
1. The stars
When the only constellation you can see is the Big Dipper, you know you're a long way from Atch. There's something special about driving just a few miles, looking up, and realizing how big the sky really is and how small you really are.
2. Sonic
If you close your eyes right now, you can probably recite the majority of the menu by memory. There may be Sonics all over the country, but everything on that menu tastes better on either a Saturday afternoon homework break or late night run for tots and a limeade.
3. The sunsets
The same sun sets in every town, but not every town can give you the kind of sunset Atchison can. The pretty views make evening treks up the Raven Walk more than worth it.
4. Wal-mart
Trips to Wally World are the best opportunities to give wannabe DJ's the chance to handle the aux for upwards of six or seven minutes. Maybe you've been a patron of this underrated institution for many years prior to your arrival at BC, but it's more than likely that ever time you visit Walmart today, something inside you thinks, "This reminds me of Atchison."
5. The trains
For every kid who ever dreamed of being a train conductor, Atchison is the place to be. The train whistles will sing you to sleep at night and wake you up in the morning. For lack of a more eloquent description, they're just really, really cool.
6. The McDonald's drive-thru
Where else can you go at 1:00 a.m. to find a McChicken, an ice cream cone, and three cars full of your best friends?
7. The lakes
Because there ain't no lake like an Atchison lake and there ain't no bonfire like a BC bonfire -- State is great, and Warnock is waiting.
8. Daylight Donuts
Daylight? More like DayLIT. Nothing beats the smell of glaze, dough, and college students in the middle of the night.
9. Jackson Park
It's the perfect place to have a game of ultimate frisbee or just hang out with friends -- and it's the only place to get the kind of view afforded to those who manage to climb on top of the pavilion.
10. Driving without traffic or construction
Most students can get away without driving much at all during the school year, but when you do want to venture off campus, the only obstacle you ever have to worry about is a passing train. Only on 2nd Street can two cars squeeze (rather quickly) between parked trucks, vans, and SUVs on either side of the road. All this, plus the chance to pass the Sallie house? What more could one ask for?
11. Mueller's
Whether you're having lunch with your parents when they visit for the weekend, or meeting friends on a Wednesday night, Mueller's holds a special spot in the hearts of many.
12. The Abbey bells
We miss the constant reminders of the time, but more than that -- we miss the occasional going-rogue of the bells when they play Christmas Carols or traditional hymns every hour.
13. The bridge
In high school, if you were going to be home late, your parents likely left the porch light on. Atchison takes it a step further by lighting the entire bridge every night.
14. The Riverfront
Home to runners, lovers of Chuck & Hank's cheap barbecue, and all those who enjoy hitting golf balls into the river.
15. The memories we haven't made yet
More than anything, we miss waking up every day surrounded by our classmates and best friends, knowing that literally anything could happen. Atchison is the backdrop of our college memories and the sound and smell and feel of some of the best days we've had -- it's the hope and love and joy we find in knowing that the best days are yet to come.
Summer is great and summer is necessary, but there's no arguing with the fact that we can't wait to be back in the place we're all learning to love more and more each day.
So here's to you, Atchison -- and here's to all the good times we'll have when we're back together again.
