Oh, the ‘Great Outdoors’

With three lakes and countless preserves with trails for hiking, running and fishing, there’s no doubt that there’s a lot to do in Bloomington during the summer.

Lake Monroe offers many inexpensive ways for students and residents to relax during the summer. Local fishing is popular at the lake and the fish are plentiful, said Rusty Collier, fishing guide and co-owner of J&R guide services.

“The fishing is really good here,” Collier said. “It’s a better lake than I’ve been to in several states.”

In addition to fishing, music can be heard on the lake. Lake Monroe’s Four Winds Marina stages live bands and delivers pizzas to fishermen and boats docked on the marina.

Collier’s fishing services offer daylong guided fishing tours of Lake Monroe and discounts for college students.

Travel a few miles outside Bloomington on U.S. 50, five minutes southwest of Bedford, and you’ll find the historic Bluespring Caverns. The park offers guided boat tours throughout the cave seven days a week.

Mike Murphy, supervisor of Bluespring Caverns office and tours, said college students seem to enjoy the caves.

“The boats are lighted, and a tour guide takes people through the cave to see blind fish specific to the darkness of the cave,” he said.

Some students find spots around campus to relax and take a break from homework and hectic summer courses.

Junior Kelly Stephens said she likes being on campus and relaxing outside. “I like sitting in the shade and reading,” Stephens said.

Cornhole, a bean-bag tossing game, remains a popular activity students enjoy throughout the summer months. Recent IU graduate Annie Kirkwood said cornhole is her favorite summer pastime.

“I like sitting outside and playing cornhole with my friends in the yard, and just being out,” Kirkwood said.

IU students senior Dom Maican and junior Jake Spalding take advantage of the summer weather to stay active in outdoor activities.

“We swim a lot at our apartment complex, and I’ve been doing a lot of running around the campus,” Spalding said.

But if you don’t have a pool to cool off in at your apartment, IU has an outdoor pool for recreation, lap swimming and sunbathing. Summer, weekly and daily passes can be purchased at the pool’s Fee Lane location.

Maican and Spalding said they like taking their dogs to Bryan Park on Woodlawn Avenue for walks on the weekends.

Other popular parks for dog lovers are Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on North Hinkle Road, about five minutes from the stadiums, and Lake Lemon in Unionville, Ind., about 30 minutes northeast of Bloomington.

Students looking for excitement and an opportunity to explore Bloomington’s abundance of nature preserves, lakes and trails should visit IU Outdoor Adventures in the Indiana Memorial Union.

The store offers rental for outdoor-related items such as camping tents and kayaks. Part of IU student fees support IU Outdoor Adventures, and the store offers 10 percent discounts to students.

Tyler Kivland, supervisor and trip leader for IU Outdoor Adventures, said rentals are reasonable and great for one-day or weekend excursions.

“Kayaks are the most popular rental,” he said. “It’s an affordable activity to rent a kayak or canoe and head out to Lake Lemon or Monroe.”

IU Outdoor Adventures also offers extended-length excursions with a group leader to kayak, camp and get outside. Kivland said he’s excited for the 11-day trip to Apostle Island, Wisc. “It’s an unbelievable place. They don’t allow boats with motors so you can literally drink the water you’re canoeing in,” Kivland said. “It’s a great deal, too. The 11 days includes food, travel, rental costs – everything.”

For more excitement and speed, Bloomington offers Upper Cascades Skate Park and Bloomington Speedway.

Welcoming college students and race fans, Bloomington Speedway hosts sprint-car and super-stock races every Friday night. But if a slower speed is more your pace, Vencel Balloons, Inc. and Balloon Safaris, both in Bloomington, offer weekend hot air balloon rides.

Those not so outdoorsy can find weekend entertainment at the Starlite Drive-In movie theater, nestled in the woods off Indiana 37 Bypass since 1956. The family-owned business offers two movies for $7 Friday and Saturday nights.

Jenna Baxter, manager of the drive-in and Ivy Tech student, said Starlite is a great, relaxed atmosphere for college students.

She said moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own food and dogs as long as they are leashed.

“I think the reason we’ve stayed in business all these years is that we provide a personal experience for our audience,” Baxter said.