Most people don't understand the draw of Pullman. Sure, it's in the middle of nowhere. Sure, there's not a lot to do. Sure, it gets a silly wrap for being surrounded by cows, wheat and republicans. But there is something special about it. The the way the tiny town drives you crazy while you're a student, but immediately tugs at your heart as soon as you leave it.
I still remember the first time I ever caught glimpse of campus. My family and I were going to visit on one of the Senior preview days. I had been recently accepted into the school and was in the midst of deciding where I'd end up.
I never really thought it would be Pullman.
As my family and I drove into town, we ultimately missed campus completely, even though we could see its red brick buildings from afar, we ended up on the road to Idaho. Once we finally made it, I instantly knew. I remember a teacher of mine told us all one day that when you find you're place, you'll know it right away.
And she was right. Pullman felt like home and I knew this is where I was meant to be.
Between football games (an era when the Cougs were PAC-10 champs....the gold ole days), late nights at Cougar Country, hitching rides to Walmart and mad dashes up and down icy hills to get to class, my four years in town were incredibly memorable.
Coming back years later is always fun. Seeing how much town has changed, how big campus is growing, how young the students are (we were never like these kids. Holy crap). The Daily Grind is still the best coffee shop. The family that runs my favorite Chinese restaurant is still doing business. The Coug is there, but Shakers is not (probably a good thing). The church I attended up on the hill is still just as massive and filled with families that I knew when I was a student. The Cub is new, fancy and without a bowling alley. There's still cheese and ice cream and Todd Hall and bears and the Rec. And Beasley and....
Maybe this is the nostalgia that all college students feel once they leave their small college towns. But probably not. Because Pullman is the best. And if you disagree, it's because you never had the pleasure of getting to know it.
How sad for you.
Go Cougs.
This week also marked the official beginning of the semester (yes, I know that technically I had events two weeks ago, but they don't count...Pullman is always the kickoff. Always.) I was so incredibly happy to be reunited with this group of people. They are a haven on the road and I am lucky to know each and every one of them.
Plus, I got two new states for my self-imposed state challenge. #gome
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