Water, leaves, trees, stones, squirrels, birds, lovers, and loners; and of course, nature.
Ever found that place that you want to show everyone? Well this is one of those spots and it is right under your nose.Strawberry Creek is well known on the Berkeley campus, but not many know its numerous retreats where nature reigns. One of these is right beneath Sather Gate to the east side.
The gift of class of 1935; this little clearing resembles a small wooden amphitheater. Once you enter the clearing, the show starts. As the waterfall sets a continuous rhythm, squirrels start the chase, while shadows dance on the ground as the wind shakes branches above.
One would think that since Sproul is so populated, this place would be always crowded; think again. Only a few venture off to explore this area, others barely look over the bridge as they pass Sather Gate.
A couple is leaving as I approach; if you are ever looking for a nice little romantic area on campus…this is it. There is a Pro-Life demonstration on Sproul, but the sounds and screams seem so distant. Sitting here in utter isolation from the rest of the world, one is absorbed into nature’s peaceful mood. I notice a tour group taking pictures, starring. Probably wondering why I am being a loner on such a sunny day.
I hear steps behind me; I look and notice a guy pass me by. Though he sits right in front of me, his back is turned. In this awkward situation, all there is silence…and of course the water. He pulls out a small notebook as he sips from his coffee. It’s not hard to guess what he wants from this place; inspiration.
As I enter I notice that the weather is colder than yesterday, and the sun is not shining through the branches; leaving the place in a dark melancholy isolation.
It’s a quiet day, even on Sproul. I notice a girl sitting alone on the stump; she doesn’t look too happy. Behind her, on the other stump is a notebook, abandoned. When I get close I realize I know her from a class. She explains how she has gotten her midterm paper back in a class; from her mood she probably didn’t do too well. I try to comfort her until she has to leave. She leaves, but the notebook is still there, abandoned. I wonder if anyone will come back for it.The mood of the clearing is grim and nature looks uninviting. The bells of the Campanile ring. From here they sound like some far distant battle cry, or a warning. I sit in anticipation, but it’s too cold. I leave the creek and the notebook, abandoned.
The first thing I notice is the notebook…still there. Unlike yesterday today is pleasant. The sound of laughter from Sather Gate is penetrating through the branches, filling
the air with giggles. A guy whom I’ve noticed a couple of times, is sitting in my favorite spot. He is drawing the creek. A little off another guy is sitting and eating his lunch; further off someone is smoking, I can smell it. I feel surrounded by guys; each doing their own thing. As they leave slowly one by one, I decide to investigate the notebook. It’s black with a leather cover, the first thing one sees when opening it is a peace of paper; “Steve Lustig”. Other than that, there is nothing but a bunch of blank papers.I sit back down to continue my observations, but am blinded by the sunlight reflected in the water. Nature wants my attention. I hear voices and look up; two girls are looking down. They don’t see me, but I see them through the branches.
“This is my favorite spot”. (slight pause)
“I’ve never been down there”.
And today is not going to be any different since they walk away. This is evidence for my theory that even though the clearing is amidst such a popular area, not many people bother to come down the stairs to explore it. As I leave, I look back at the notebook…will it be here tomorrow?
Finally Thursday! The weekend is here...well for those fortunate enough to not have classes on Fridays. Today is the first day of a long range of parties planned for the Halloween weekend. I can imagine this place at night,decorated for Halloween;too bad no one else thought of that. I step down the stairs and the first thing I see is flying squirrels. How do they do that? Lunging from one branch to the other,they make a lot of commotion. Great, now i have leaves in my hair.
The water is dirty and that upsets me; it’s a direct contrast to nature’s beauty. A squirrel is lurking around a soda can in the middle of the creek.
WOAAAAH! What just happened? There’s a gray husky, what the hell? It just jumped off the bridge into the water! I am so startled that by the time I get my camera it disappears through the trees back to Sather Gate. Poor squirrel. It’s hiding somewhere, I don’t blame it, I would too if I was just randomly attacked like that. As I recover from this surprise I notice the notebook from yesterday is gone.
I follow two guys down the steps to the creek. I sit with my back to them, not feeling very social today. As I observe the water and try to draw the tunnel I hear laughter. Not paying much attention to their conversation, I turn back to my drawing. Sproul is very quiet today; people are getting ready for Halloween. One thing that sparks my attention is a smell. Weed. I stop to see where it’s coming from, though I already can guess. Now they've got my attention.
Talking about “Spookfest” in San Fransico, they each take turns taking a hit. Spookfest, a popular Halloween attraction, is tonight and I was considering going. It’s getting dark and I don’t feel too comfortable observing them smoke. Kind of awkward actually. I guess the creek is isolated enough to permit every kind of activity. As the smoke fills the air around me, they continue their conversation. I leave unnoticed; coming out of the area feels like emerging out of the underground. I am greeted by fresh air.
All Hallows’ Eve and Berkeley students are ready to party. Though it’s relatively early for any parties (2:30 pm), some people are already dressed up. The day is amazing and perfect for strolling around. I sit in a different section of the clearing today since two girls are occupying my usual spot. Sitting here one can hear the water flowing louder since there is not as many small stones, but large ones that disrupt its path.
As I look around something blue catches my eye.
I focus on the writing on the wall, but can not read it. Graffiti in nature; how typical. This is upsetting. The writing is old since it is covered by leaves that grew over it. What bothers me is that no one cared enough to restore the wall. This reminds me of the Human/Nature exhibit we studied. Human actions always leave a mark on nature.It’s Halloween in Berkeley, and few people pass by Sather Gate; oblivious to nature. The day goes on. I am pulled back to civilization by a phone call. Society’s interests have shifted to a new direction. The graffiti remains on the wall; no one bothered to do anything about it. I doubt that anyone will.
The day after Halloween; first of November, start of daylight savings time. I plan to finish my drawing today. Everyone seems to walk with a dragging step, wanting to go back to bed. I doubt many had a good night’s sleep; as a result, at first I attribute what I notice to my imagination/ hallucinations.
I barely look up from my drawing and see a guy in the tunnel. Nonchalantly, he makes his way through to my end of the tunnel. As I take in what’s happening, I find my camera and yell at him (not intentionally).“STOP..Hi, wait..not to be creepy but can I take your picture right there?”
He looks confused; I think I startled him just as much as his appearance startled me. “umm..sure?”
He poses awkwardly straight; my camera takes forever to turn on. I am somewhat embarrassed by my reaction, but I mean such a thing does not happen often.
“Can I see it?” He makes his way over the creek, almost falling into the water when he jumps the gap. After some explanations of my project, (Mike) explains that he was not aware of the time change, and went to his meeting too early. Then he decided to walk the creek to pass some time.
What a strange boy. He wants to continue walking the creek to the other side.
“I might see you on my way back”.
You never know whom you will meet in these grounds. I finish my drawing and decide to leave. Mike never came back, at least not today.
Strawberry creek is a historic water source not only present on campus, but running throughout the whole city. The wooden amphitheater constructed as a gift of the class of 1935 serves as one of many beautiful stops along the Creek. My observations have made me appreciate the nature in this clearing and its contrast to the busy daily life of a UC Berkeley student. Here the creek supplies romance, inspiration, refuge, isolation, and amusement depending on the needs of the beholder.
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