Rhetorical Analysis of Place

       The Olentangy Bike trail has always been an enjoyable stretch of campus for me. The bike trail hugs the river, which bisects the campus. Lined with shady trees and foliage, the trail offers a refreshing view of nature. Along with the view of nature, the well known landmarks of OSU dot the background. Starting on northern campus is the Lane avenue bridge, almost like a gateway to Buckeye country, stands tall over the trail. The two towers, Lincoln and Morril along with the top of the Thompson Library Tower detail the skyline. As you go further south you finally pass the med-center, lit up by the construction.

        I often enjoy running along the trail. To me, it is a prime spot to run along. The cool air and occasional breezes from the river as well as the shady trees that dot the path provides excellent conditions to run in, especially on the warmer days. It seems at times, that it is perhaps somewhat of an escape for me, a way to get away from the stress that classes can sometimes bring. I feel like many people have similar thoughts when biking or running along the trail. Being somewhat sunk into the river valley, the landscape of the trail adds to that. The hills on the side reinforce the feeling of getting away for awhile. However, running along the trail can also, in a way, symbolize the general attitude of college life. In a lot of ways, I almost see running along the trail is similar to the devotion we put to our classes. Some days I feel like I can really push myself really far and even though I may be tired, I still feel like I can push myself for another mile or so. Some days, on the other hand, just the thought of going for a run annoys me.

        Watching others along the trail shows a great diversity in abilities. While some people zoom along, obviously in very good shape, others, who are perhaps in not so good shape, struggle. Yet, I think this represents the goal of university as well. Even, if one isn't in the best shape, if one keeps trying, one will eventually get better.

 Place and identity defines our personality and helps us determine our interests. Whether we like the places we are or not, they influence us in determining our actions. I grew up in a part of Columbus just north of campus called Clintonville. During elementary school, I moved to a suburb of Columbus, called Worthington. My Dad had a job that required him to travel quite a bit around central Ohio, and I would often go with him on his jobs, so I got to see much of Ohio. I have lived all my life in central Ohio, as well as the suburbs, so I have formed a strong identity with central Ohio, specifically the suburbs. However, I never have really identified the suburbs as a very exciting or fun place to live. As a result, I think that I have formed an identity with traveling to new and different places. I always enjoy the chance to go and see different parts of the country and talk to different people. However I have never really had the chance to travel outside the US, because most of the traveling I do I end up paying for myself. So, I often go on small camping trips, which I have come to greatly identify with as well.

When I moved onto OSU campus I found that I rather formed a stronger identity here, as I got to meet people from all across the nation and world. So, I suppose I am in an interesting position when it comes to place and identity, as I feel like I desire to travel and live in new places and form new identities, because I perhaps don't have the best identity with the place I grew up.