Nature Experience: Biking "Home"

Biking "Home"

For my second nature experience, I decided to go biking on the trinity trails with one of my good friends. 

I remember learning how to ride a bike when I was a kid with my twin brother and my dad. We lived near a golf course, so my dad decided to take us to learn how to ride a bike on none other than the golf course routes. Riding my bike down trinity trail reminded me so much of the golf course that I was in a stage of severe nostalgia. The grass was so green, neatly trimmed and went on for miles. It was strikingly similar to the Chenal Downs Golf Course that I grew up on. The nature that surrounds me seems so similar, like it is the same everywhere I go. 

Biking for about half a mile at this point, I don’t think I ever said a word. I was taking in all the sounds of nature that kept bringing me back to home. The little caterpillars that slowly came across the bike trails had me swerving much like I did when I was younger. The sounds of birds and trees swaying reminded me of the same atmosphere as on the golf course. 

At this point, my friend, little did I know, had been asking me for the past couple of minutes to stop for a water break. I was so lost in nature, I didn’t even notice. When we stopped, the rush of nostalgia was still there while we were drinking from our plastic water bottles that we attached underneath our bike seats. My dad always made sure that my brother and I had our water bottles filled with plenty of water in case we wanted to stay out longer than expected. In fact, we always ended up making another round of 18 holes on our bikes just so we could smell the freshly cut grass in the evenings. 

I think now that I’m older, I take the outdoors for granted. When I was younger, I was always outside climbing trees, riding my bike or going on trail walks with my dad who always made an effort to teach me the names of the different flowers we passed along the way. We even stayed up late when the stars came out to look at them through a telescope.

Today, I never stop and look up at the stars anymore. I never take the time to learn the names of flowers that grow alongside the sidewalk. I never climb trees anymore. This bike ride was the one moment in my day where I noticed how much of the world I have been missing out on. 

I forgot how much I loved the sun beating down on my skin and the wind catching my hair as I glided down the road on my bike. It was one of those days where I got to be a child again. Nature calms me and brings me back to my roots. Biking gets me back outside and easily wipes away all the worries I have built up. It’s magical, humbling and will always remind me of my family.

Nature Trip: Canoeing

Class Canoe Trip 

Canoeing is something I have always enjoyed doing with my family for years, so when I found out our class was going on a night paddle, I was so excited. Granted, I usually kayak and find that much easier, but I was determined to give my canoe skills another try. 

When we all met up at the rec center, got our life jackets and saw how big the canoes were, I became nervous. My upper body strength is definitely that great and I realized that as Anna-Kathryn and I attempted to pick up the canoe and haul it down a hill. I was out of breath before we even hit the water. I knew it was going to be a long night. But once we got in the water and started to row, I felt better about our skills. We definitely were not at all experts and I was even a little skeptical about us being on the water for so long without wanting to give up. 

There were times when we got the hang of it and paddled straight down the Trinity, and many other times where we were hitting the sides and running into large rocks. My arms, shoulders and back muscles were already on fire five minutes into the trip. But I think being able to be out on the water with our classmates helped us learn from each other and encourage each other along the way. 

It was amazing to see the sunset behind us, and I couldn’t hold back from taking many beautiful pictures. I also think it was one of the best views I have seen in Fort Worth. Downtown, all lit up and bright, was a sight that cannot be replicated. After a very long day of classes, homework and tests, the canoe trip was a much-needed relaxation break. Sometimes it felt a little bit more stressful than it should have been because we were trying so hard, but when I let myself realize what was I experiencing, I couldn’t help but smile. 

People don’t get many of these opportunities, especially an opportunity where you get to bond with your professor and classmates. When I got home that night, I have never felt more physically exhausted. Yet, when I woke up the next morning, I wanted to do it all over again. If we get the chance to do another canoe trip with our class, I will absolutely be going. Thank you, Dr. Williams, for organizing such an incredible night paddle and letting your class experience the outdoors with you.

Nature Center Day 2

Day 2

The second class at the Nature Center was even more rewarding than the first. This time, we were tasked with clearing an entire deck that used to be where people could watch the bison. The deck was covered in long limbs, dead trees, vines that were growing up the fence, and leaves that had fallen all over the deck floor. At first glance, I thought it would be impossible. I had never used clippers before to cut limbs on the trees, and I didn’t want to be a burden to the entire class. I decided that the only way I was going to be able to do it was to let go of my fears and just go for it. 

The intern had asked three of us for help for a smaller task before we all began working on the deck, so I went with her to start. When I found out we were going to be cutting down two trees with a saw, I was nervous. Was I strong enough to do this? I had never even attempted to cut down a tree before, so I didn’t even know what to expect. One of the ladies handed me the saw and said to start sawing as close to the bottom of the tree as possible. 

To my surprise, since the tree was dead, it was easier than expected to saw deep enough that the tree would eventually just fall over on its own. At first, it was quite funny to see how many breaks I was taking because my arms were tired. I had never considered myself as “weak”, but having my arms hurt three days later was a sign that I should take up more rigorous workouts. 

After we finished cutting down both trees, we went back and started to help the rest of the class with clearing the brush and hauling the sticks back to the truck to be thrown away. We clipped down vines, tree branches that were in the way, and swept the floor deck off in order to see the cracks in the wood. After finding the holes, it would be much easier to replace the floor deck so little children don’t fall through when they want to watch the bison. It was hard work bending over and picking up the limbs and throwing them into the truck, but it was nothing compared to the tiny woman who was weed eating her way through the woods. I strive to be like her one day. 

We took a five-minute water break near the end and had the chance to look at what we had already cleared. The giant tree on the right was not blocking our view anymore of the fence, and the fence looked as if it were brand new. The floorboards were cleared completely of leaves and sticks, and was nearly ready to be opened up again. I felt a sense of pride when looking around at my fellow classmates knowing that we took away a couple hours of work from the Nature Center ladies. 

It’s an incredible feeling to be able to look at something and say that we did that. Two hours can make a big difference when you have people who are willing to help out and use all those hands for good.