Collegio Online

Issue date: 6/12/08 Section: After Hours

Ashley Gould, double major in graphics and recreation, spends her summers hiking, spelunking and camping in nearby Arkansas.

Clay Fowler, senior in general studies, fishes in West Mineral.

With the constant rise of gas prices and the worsening economy, it can be difficult for those PSU students who stick around town to find reasonably priced entertainment. Whether trying to plan a day trip or a weekend get-away, many college students don't know what they are offered when staying in Pittsburg for the summer.
Clay Fowler, senior in general studies and a Pittsburg local, said that he goes fishing in West Mineral to get away from the monotony of another boring summer day.
"I enjoy being away from home in the country under the sun," Fowler said. "It is relaxing for me to be out on the water fishing with a friend or alone, and just enjoying the outdoors. Every worry seems to disappear out there."
West Mineral is about 20 miles from Pittsburg and offers mostly vast countryside, with the exception of the locally infamous Big Brutus, which could also be added scenery.
"Sometimes I walk outside and decide it's a beautiful day to be fishing, so I go," Fowler said. "I would definitely recommend it to other people because it is important to be active and productive. Anybody can do it - that is, if they don't have a short attention span."
Aside from the gas and fishing equipment, Fowler said that this is a cheap way to have a good time. He estimated that the gas would be about $15; cold beverages about $10 and a sandwich would be around $4.
"So about $25, depending if you want a tasty treat," Fowler said.
Ashley Gould, a double major in graphics management and administrative recreation and a Pittsburg local, describes her favorite trip as something a little farther from home.
"Driving down to Eureka Springs or anywhere in Arkansas is probably the best trip to take for natural beauty," Gould said. "State parks and hiking spots in the 'Natural State' are usually free or extremely cheap."
Although Eureka Springs is a longer drive (about two and a half hours), the cost after arriving is affordable for someone looking for a change in scenery.
"It's a totally different terrain from Kansas," Gould said. "There are mountains (the Boston mountains), rivers (Buffalo River), hiking and spelunking. There's just not a lot of that to do in Pittsburg and there's so much more variety down there."
Gould explained that her favorite location is in Conway County, Arkansas.
"My favorite, Petit Jean, is a great place for a weekend camping trip and is about four and a half or five hours away, but it's so beautiful that it's worth the $4 a gallon," Gould said.
For entertainment that's closer to home, Joe Holman, junior in secondary education in biology, said that he makes day trips to Joplin for miniature golf.
"It's not very expensive and there is a Tropical Sno in the parking lot," Holman said. "It is a great place to bring a lot of people."
Holman said that the golf course is only about 30 miles away and that the cost is about $5 a person.
Jesse Mitchell, junior in pre-pharmacy from Pittsburg, spends many summer weekends in Noel, Mo. (about an hour and a half drive) canoeing.
"It's so much fun and we always meet so many interesting people," Mitchell said. "Occasionally we run into people we have gone to school with in the past. I can't remember ever having a bad canoe trip."
Mitchell explained that the cost of a weekend in Noel can vary, but is usually pretty cheap.
"We don't have to spend that much because we have six canoes of our own," Mitchell said. "But I think canoe rentals from places down there run about $45 a canoe. We take coolers with food and drinks."
She said that although canoeing is one of her favorite things to do, it's the people that make it the most fun.
"It's nice to get away for the day and spend time with my friends and family enjoying the day," Mitchell said.

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