College tour of Occidental in LA

We were in Los Angeles on a warm July day for a college tour at Occidental. It's a strange milestone, seeing your child start to picture their own future, and this felt like a big step. We started, like many people probably do, at the bronze plaque commemorating Barack Obama's time here. It seemed like a fitting place to begin exploring the campus.

The grounds have a very distinct Southern California feel. Lots of Mediterranean-style buildings with arches and red-tiled roofs, set against a perfectly clear blue sky. We walked past the big outdoor pool, a classic concrete amphitheater built into the hillside, and the modern Herrick Chapel with its impressive stained glass. The orange and black school banners were hanging from the columns of a main building, adding a bit of formality to the relaxed summer atmosphere.

Inside, we peeked into the library's quiet Ahmanson Room, which looked exactly like a college library should. We also found a small exhibit on Obama, including the 'Hope' poster, which brought the tour full circle. Between the palm trees, the sand volleyball court, and the shady quads, it was easy to imagine student life here. It was a full day of walking and observing, a quick snapshot of a possible future.