This past Tuesday was the first time I have ever felt like I was in danger walking across campus.

Not because there was a man handing out ice cream cones from a white van or anything.

No, it was something seemingly harmless: the icicles. They were on a mission to attack. You think I’m joking.

Yesterday, amidst our monsoon, all the trees on campus were soaked in rainwater. And then, last night, as the temperatures sunk lower and lower, all that water froze into perfectly-shaped icicle pellets dangling from the branches.

It was breathtaking to look across the quad this morning and see all of the trees in their wintery nakedness, decorated by these icicles, sparkling in the sunlight. It was enchanting.

Until I tried to walk underneath them, that is.

I picked up my pace and kept my gaze directed at the ground. But they got me anyway. Two of them. Right on my head. Oh well. I guess it’s the price you pay to have such gorgeous trees decorating campus for the day.

Photo Credit: Sarah Janes '12