Quiet town, quiet time

Looking north on the paved riverfront path that brought solitude during a couple of morning runs in Corvallis.

There was a time when I was a regular visitor to Corvallis. I’d go down to Oregon State University two to three times a year to meet with student journalists interested in The Oregonian’s internship programs.

It’s been a while, though, so I was pleased to return recently as one of several professional mentors at a summer journalism camp for Oregon and southwest Washington high school students.

Read their work on the Oregon Teens blog on OregonLive.

I spent lots of time with students in the newsroom and many hours hanging out with peers from The Oregonian/OregonLive. I’ve always valued alone time, though, so I rose early a few times to go out for an early morning run through the OSU campus and into the downtown area.

It’s a simple pleasure I never tire of.

Flower baskets seem to be everywhere you look in Corvallis.

Who puts decorative flowers on their trash cans? The city of Corvallis does.

A place to relax along the Marys River.

Running at a leisurely pace, following an impromptu route, I notice things I’d probably miss if I were driving by or sleeping in — such as a deer, wandering a residential neighborhood southeast of campus.

I ran on a Sunday morning, my favorite time of the week, when all is quiet. I went out again Tuesday and Thursday mornings and there wasn’t much difference, no doubt because so many students are away for the summer.

In any case, here are a few postcards from Corvallis.

 

A welcome sign across the street from our hotel on the south end of campus.

The journalism institute took place on the 4th floor of the Student Experience Center.

A mix-up at the front desk meant we had to figure out how to deal with one room, two beds and three dudes. From left, roommates George Rede, Dillon Pilorget and Tony Hernandez.

Highly recommended: Hobo hash at The Broken Yolk cafe.

My hard-working students: Toli Tate, left, and Kyler Kaykeo take notes during an interview with a state senator.

The Oregon State campus is well maintained with lots of trees and wide streets.

The 2016 High School Journalism Institute crew, relaxing at the Block 15 brewpub. From left, counterclockwise: Emily Smith, Cathy Noah, Eder Campuzano (talk to the hand), Elliot Njus, Tony Hernandez, George Rede, Molly Harbarger, Samantha Bakall, Molly Young (camp director, extraordinaire) and Gina Mizell.

More photos from camp on Twitter: #hsji2016

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