Did you know there are wooded trails to hike on the University of Maryland’s campus? In the northwest corner of campus, across from the Terrapin Trail Garage, lies the Wooded Hillock, a natural area with rustic trails. Volunteer trail stewards scout for litter, rake leaves off the paths, and mark the knowns trails with fallen logs each season. Covering approximately 13 acres, here you are immersed in trees and fallen leaves, and the traffic on nearby Highway 193 fades to a murmur.

It’s a typically stressful workday careening toward the semester’s end, and I am spending part of it sprawled on my belly in the woods, watching skittering ants and little white mushrooms growing on decaying sticks.

 Did you see the recent feature on our staff in The Diamondback?

At the center of McKeldin Mall, a sunny, bustling hub of crisscrossing Terps on their way to and from class, nine people dressed in all white stand completely still. One poses at the head of a bed of tulips, arms outstretched. Another slouches on the sundial, while still another lies motionless on a bench. They barely bat an eye as passersby pause, stare or even snap a picture.