With great pleasure, I had the opportunity to walk with my grandson Dayan today, on the University of Missouri campus. I had planned this trip to visit my oldest grandchild before I started the 30 Day Walking Challenge, but what a happy turn of events, to spend time with Dayan as he acted as tour guide across the beautiful Mizzou complex.
We didn’t let a little rain dampen our enthusiasm as we headed across campus toward downtown Columbia, where we would dine together. This was the first rainy walking day I’ve had and I was prepared, with umbrellas, a hooded jacket, a raincoat and a change of dry clothes.
Enjoy our walk with us. The University of Missouri has one of the prettiest campuses I have ever seen. Some of the buildings on the sprawling grounds date back to the mid 1800s. There are numerous plants, trees, flowers and gardens, giving MU a botanical garden designation.
Crossing over to the street on the MU pedestrian bridge.
This campus is like a city of 30,000 residents.
So proud of this amazing young man.
The banner says “Welcome Home”. This bustling complex is Dayan’s home for the next few years.
The Speaking Circle, where anyone can stand and speak freely about any topic.
I’ve never seen this plant before. It’s the “puffer fish” of flowers.
I love ornamental grasses.
One of the oldest buildings on campus, at the center of Red Campus, so named for the use of red bricks.
In front of the iconic six columns, which were originally part of a building that caught fire and burned to the ground.
Love this pic of Dayan.
Gorgeous.
Love this red courtyard.
Our dinner destination, in downtown Columbia, and we walked to it! The food was healthy and delicious. Dayan picked this cafe with my plant based lifestyle in mind.
Dayan’s favorite cookie company. We stopped so he could have a peanut butter cookie.
The beautiful, and massive, Ellis Library.
We climbed two flights of stairs for this amazing view.
Even the MU campus has a bell tower, which reminds my grandson and me of our trip to Italy, with its towers throughout the country.
I so enjoyed my walk today, and spending time with Dayan. He walks a lot, every day, across campus to his classes. I appreciate that he was willing to walk with me and his Papa, and tell us about his new home, his village, his university.
The campus is so beautiful, so inspiring. However the time spent walking side by side with my grandson was priceless. Dayan is doing well, already involved in leadership roles, and thriving, which brings great joy to my heart.
I can’t wait to visit him again…and explore more of Columbia.
