DAY 9 - NIGHT HIKE TO CPP LETTERS

In all the years I had been a student at Cal Poly Pomona, I had never hiked up to the CPP letters - until tonight!

This was one of those impromptu ideas that came together after a few last minute changes to my original plans, and I'm glad it turned out this way. My coworker, who happened to also be a Cal Poly grad, called me after work to catch up.

Coworker: "How's the 29 thing going?"

Me: "It's going well but today's plans kinda fell through so I'm trying to think of what to do now. Any suggestions?"

[Innovation Brew Works at Cal Poly Pomona, part of the culinary arts program]

We went back and forth on a few ideas, but as soon as I mentioned that I was on my way to Rowland Heights, a light bulb lit above his head.

Coworker: "Have you ever climbed up to the CPP letters?"

Me: "Omg you know what?? I HAVEN'T! I've always wanted to!"

And who better to share this experience with than my Zeta bro. Many of my Cal Poly post graduation memories have been with my bro. We often reminisce about the good 'ol Greek days when we were young and prone to the social pressures of "showing face" (an expression that meant showing up to a fraternity/sorority event just to show involvement even though you'd really much rather be at home watching the free RedBox rentals that would expire in 24 hours or playing RockBand/COD4/Halo3).

He had never been to the campus brewery that opened after we graduated, so we headed over to try the student concoctions. Two other fraternity brothers joined, and we chatted about getting older and, of course, girls (lol).

Our outing was much too short and unfortunately we had to get going because I had to be somewhere by 10:30, so my bro and I scrambled over to the main campus to find the elusive (I only say elusive because at night it's been said that the trail is a bit tough to find) CPP letters hike.

I can sum up the hike in 5 points:

• DARK

• Coyote poop (like every few feet)

• Steep (whew)

• Creepy

• Long overdue

Turned out, my bro had never hiked the trail either! Double win! When we got to the very top (we flew past the letters without knowing it), there was this super creepy bench that looked like a sideways teeter totter. "Yea... Not gonna sit on that..."

We carefully went back down where the trailed forked and found the letters! If any of you have ever painted these things, I give you mad props. I can't imagine bringing buckets of paint up here and maneuvering a paint roller on this steep hillside.

[Selfie while sitting on the letters]

While chatting about some of the buildings where we had classes and other Greek events, we noticed a rustling in the bushes down below. We came to the conclusion that there were coyotes there (because they sounded awfully large) and took that as a signal to get going.

I'm grateful that I made such great friends from Cal Poly, especially in Greek life. My bro and I have always managed to do these random last-minute meetups, which I've always been surprised at how well they've turned out considering we literally hit each other up within a 30 minute window. R-O fam!

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DAY 9 - Night adventure to the CPP letters [COMPLETE]

• My thoughts?

• Why didn't I do this while I lived on campus??

• Would I do it again?

• Probably not, unless I have an opportunity to paint the letters lol.

• Did anyone slip while climbing?

• My bro did. He seemed fine yesterday but not sure if he got a cut or bruise. I hope you're okay today!!!

• What did I learn?

• Always keep a flashlight in your car.

• Take advantage of what your campus/workplace/community has to offer that makes them unique (i.e. the CPP letters and our campus brewery).

• Do more cardio.