Canoeing Trip at the Fort Worth Nature Center

Today we went on our class canoe trip at the Fort Worth Nature Center. It was a bit chilly outside, but that didn't stop us from taking advantage of this unique opportunity. It still amazes me that just with a twenty minute drive West of TCU, you can be immersed in nature. I believe these short getaways to the nature center through out the semester have had a positive effect on my stress from other classes. It feels great to get out of the TCU bubble and enjoy nature, even if it is just for a few hours. Giving this time to myself is invaluable to my overall mood and well-being. After the drive out to the nature center, I found myself canoeing down the creek with Dalton, completely surrounded by the sights and sounds that Fort Worth has to offer.

Although I had to rush back and study for an exam I have tomorrow, I enjoyed our time spent canoeing as a class this afternoon. I really do love this class because it is a constant reminder to breathe and relax. So often in my day to day life I don't take five minutes for myself to relax and get outside. Nature has such a unique way of recharging the soul. I want to make a daily habit of getting outside, whether on a short study break or a fishing trip. After returning from the trip I felt motivated to begin studying. I am at a point where I now realize how decompressing just for a few hours can make me a more effective student. Now it is getting late and I am about to call it a night, but couldn't help but pull up my blog and put these thoughts down.

12/17/19 Journal

Today's weather is very fitting for my current mood. It is cold, but the sun is shining bright. I have overcome the most stressful part of the semester. The part where all quality of life is overlooked and us students have one goal in mind, to finish strong. Although this year was far less stressful than years past, I still find myself slipping into finals mode. But now I am basking in the light at the end of the tunnel. I already packed my bags and made the short drive to my parent's house in West Fort Worth. I decided when I arrived home to sit down and journal as the sun slowly set, and to my surprise I ended up staring at a buck right in our back yard. It was about a 6 point.

Winter break is always much needed after the constant grind of the semester. It aligns perfectly with the middle of duck season and the peak of trout fishing here in Texas and Southeast Oklahoma. I always make a point to get out and enjoy these hobbies over the break. Winter break is also a time that I get to catch up with old high school buddies back in town for Christmas. We attend our local alumni soccer game and reminisce on old times. There is something I love about talking about our past endeavors. I think it is because I have changed so much from the person I was in high school. It is great to catch up with old friends, but they simply don't know me as well anymore. I am looking forward to Christmas not because of the gifts, but because of the quality time I will get to spend with loved ones that I don't get to see all so often.

Final Video Link/Justification

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DtusVs85fBDr1KgxCU3kxoTo2ZszKmGk/view?usp=sharing

Video Justification

When looking back on the class and trying to decide what our video should be about, we decided that it would be most effective to include the five takeaways from the class. These five takeaways include terms that were important in-class discussion, but also emphasize our interactions with classmates and nature. We included things we learned in the classroom, but also real-life experiences that added to the classroom such as the privilege of being taught by Dr. Williams, learning not to use the word “very”, and the fact that the Fort Worth Nature Center has alligators. When looking back, these experiences were just as important to the in-class learning to our own growth and development as environmentalists and writers. 

Furthermore, our group also decided to ask students on TCU’s campus a series of questions that connect with class concepts. The goal of this experiment was to assess the knowledge of students regarding environmental and literary issues, as well as to test their awareness levels on various subjects we discussed in class. To lighten the mood of the video, we decided to ask difficult questions, oftentimes definition-based, that we knew students would most likely not know the answers. We filmed each response from our interviewees and compiled the clips into the video we will be presenting to the class. 

The overall purpose of this video serves to prove that most students on TCU’s campus are environmentally ignorant and are unaware of many of the literary elements and critics we discussed throughout the semester. The goal we set out to achieve was to enlighten the public on key issues in nature writing and exploit how uneducated they are on these topics, to hopefully allow them to gain awareness on these subjects.  

12/5/19 Journal

This morning I was reminded by my phone memories app of an exceptional day on the water that I had exactly one year ago today. Last year one of my best friends, Chase, and his dad accompanied my Dad and I to the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, TX. We hired two guides with two boats. Chase and I shared one boat and the dads shared the others. The cool morning started off rather slow, but as the sun crept above the trees the trout seemed to awake in a feeding frenzy. Although these trout are stockers and are replenished annually, the conservation association Trout Unlimited stocks large rainbows and browns from Montana. This makes for very exciting fly fishing opportunities, especially for us Texans that usually must drive to New Mexico or Colorado to have a go at trout this large. That day Chase and I landed fifty trout, about half and half browns and rainbows. In the picture you can see just how beautiful rainbows can be. This particular photo is my favorite simply because I believe it is the most beautiful trout I have ever landed. Rainbows offer quite a bit variety in their color scheme, but this one has a unique dark tone that I still have never encountered again. The brown back transitions to a pink, almost red, center that seemed to flash through the clear water of the Guadalupe. I remember back to this moment last year and think of what a fantastic trip this was. It was perfectly timed to give me a last breath of fresh air before putting my head down for finals. Although I didn't get this last breath this year, I especially needed it last year because my coursework was far more challenging. This day on the water will hold a special place in my heart forever. It was one of the few days where the trip was already perfect because of the company of dear friends, but made even better by our success on the water.

12/2/19 Journal

This morning was a very important morning in my life. Today all of the dental school decisions for every school in the U.S. were sent out. To ease my mind I decided to get an early morning Crossfit workout in at a local gym that I go to from time to time. It definitely took my mind off of it. The workout was so intense that I couldn't think about anything but finishing. Crossfit is notorious for being not only a physical workout, but a mental one as well. On the drive home I was beat, but was met with this gorgeous sunrise that made getting up and getting after it all worthwhile. It was the perfect start to what turned out to be one of the best days of my life.

By the end of today, I received emails and phone calls saying I was accepted to six out of the eight schools I interviewed at, including my number one choice Columbia College of Dental Medicine. Tomorrow I will be sending in my deposit for Columbia to make it official. Although New York City will be a big chance, I think I am up to the challenge. Looking back on my previous endeavors, I realize that I became the best version of myself when I was in the midst of great academic and social challenge. I think Columbia will provide me with both of these types of challenges and I am beyond excited for my move to the big apple.

11/27/19

Today I decided to make a trip up to the Blue River in Oklahoma with my cousin. The Blue River is about a four hour drive away, but never seems to disappoint this time of year. I fish there year round for smallmouth bass, but this time of year offers some of the best trout fishing within driving distance of DFW. We packed up the truck and headed out around 4:30 AM to get there and on the water for the morning bite that always proves its worth. As we took off into the darkness with coffee mug in hand I could feel the trout calling my name. It feels like such a long time since I have gotten to fish that I forgot how much I truly love it. Although it was cold, it was worth it. My cousin and I started the morning slow-stripping wooly buggers with one lead split shot to get them down to the bottom of the river faster. I quickly hooked up with the fish pictured below. It was the first of many rainbows that day. This river is unique because it is catch and release only, which never really affects me. I rarely keep fish but when I do I make sure to eat what I keep. This river also has a barbless hook policy, meaning that you must mash down the barb of the hook. This policy proves effective in ensuring the fish stay healthy all winter. As the sun heated up the fish slowed down quite a bit. We didn't let that stop us from having fun. We walked a good part of five miles of river, talking and laughing as we continued our pursuit for finicky trout. At the day's end we counted around twenty five fish between us. A solid day for sure. However, on this particular outing I think we enjoyed each other's company more than any fish caught. I always enjoy the breaks from school so much because they give me an opportunity to catch up with family and friends that I don't get the chance to see on a daily basis.

11/27/19 Journal

I woke this morning at 7 am sharp to a burst of orange shining through the window of my parents house. It was an astounding sunrise to say the least. I immediately grabbed a jacket and some shoes and rushed downstairs to get a closer look. When I made it down the stairs my dog, Bell, was waiting patiently to go explore the new day with me. I opened the back door and she burst through out into the year. I wish I felt this much energy. Getting a closer look, this sunrise was truly spectacular. An explosion of orange with hints of pink, surrounded by a pastel blue so revealing of the season of fall. I sat mesmerized on the back porch for about ten minutes, soaking it all in. When I'm at my house near TCU, I rarely even see the sun until it is well above, except for days I run Trinity Trails. It is nice to feel such a connection with nature, while being so close to the city of Fort Worth. Not only does my parents house present these scenic sunrises and sunsets, but at night you can look up and see almost every star in the sky. Well not quite, but way more than I can see from TCU. Looking up into that sky, I am reminded of just how small we are, wandering around aimlessly, believing we are the most important being in the galaxy. How naive. Though I am just as guilty. The morning has become my favorite time of the day here. I can wake up and witness this amazing sunrise in solitude, then put some coffee on and take time to reflect on my past, as well as my future. With decisions for dental schools coming out Monday, I have done quite a bit of the latter.

Duck Hunt

This morning Billy and I set out to hunt some ducks on the Brazos River right below Possum Kingdom lake. With coffee in hand we left at 4:15 AM sharp in order to secure our spot on the river and get set up. When we arrived we geared up to face the brisk morning temperatures and began our descent into the river bottom. We slowly navigating the steep descent, battling the rocks while wearing waders with rubber boots. Once in the river bottom we hiked about 200 yards to a pocket where I have had success in the past. At this time the sun was beginning to crack the horizon. We needed to get set up quick. Billy and I began to throw out decoys, forming the U pattern with the landing strip facing into the wind. Ducks are smart birds. If something is just slightly off with your set up you can kiss your chances of a successful day goodbye. After wading into the chilly waters of the Brazos and setting out decoys, we found ourselves sitting on the bank waiting for the official time for sunrise. At 6:58 AM we were locked and loaded, surveying the sky around us in hopes of spotting birds in the distance. Around 20 minutes after sunlight we were blessed with some birds. I saw them cutting at lighting speed, following the winding turns of the river towards us. I reminded myself and Billy to keep our heads down and don't look at them. Ducks have an incredible ability to spot the whites of a hunter's eyes. If they do this you blow all chances of them landing in your spread. The ducks approached, about 5 or 6 in a small V. They made one lap around as if critiquing our spread. Well it must have passed the test, because on their second lap they neared and locked their wings down. It is truly a beautiful sight. I waited patiently to give the cue. A couple seconds after their wings were locked I yelled, "Take em!" Shots rang out, but only one duck fell. This was for sure a poor display of our shooting capabilities. You can practice and practice, but you will never simulate the adrenaline you get when those ducks drop their wings and it's go time. I fired 3 shots but only 1 bird was down. I couldn't remember where I even aimed because of my excitement. I quickly found my bird and got back into position. Although Billy and I enjoyed sitting and telling lies on the river bank, that was the only group of birds that came in. 

10/11/19 Journal

          This morning is my first day of break, since I don’t have Friday classes. I woke up today to find a sense of peace. I think this is mostly because my roommates have gone to Vegas along with the rest of the senior class. I think that since I am an only child that having the house to myself with no distractions is a good thing once in a while. Although I would like to go to Vegas, I just can’t justify it at the moment. I want to go to Vegas when I have enough money to enjoy it, and that’s not the case at this point in time. I have decided to stay back, catch up on some work, stay on my training schedule, and maybe do some fly fishing if the weather permits. I went to bed last night with the storm hitting

and I woke up this morning to find that it is still raining outside. I decided to get a closer look and stepped outside only to be met by a bitter, wet morning. It was 44 degrees. It hit me that this was the coldest I have been since about February of this year. I felt a sort of energy come into my body by the mild temperatures. Most people in Texas find it unpleasant, but for me the temperature holds much more meaning. Cold weather means duck hunting and fly fishing season is upon us. Fly fishing season is the opposite for those further north, but since Texas and Oklahoma are so warm the trout get quite lethargic in the summer. The colder weather means that I owe myself a trip to Beaver’s Bend, Oklahoma, to try my hand at some finicky trout in the Lower Mountain Fork River. The trout there are not all wild, but it is the closest thing I can get to the West and is only about a three and a half hour drive from DFW.

            Thinking of fly fishing this morning made me think of my favorite life and outdoor film, A River Runs Through It. One of my favorite quotes from the book turned film is, “In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.” I have always been able to relate to this quote because of how I was raised. I have always called myself a Christian, however, I was not raised going to church every Sunday. My dad and I often spent the weekends outdoors, fishing or hunting in East Texas among the tall pine trees. Although it wasn’t church, it was beautiful country. I think this exposure is what led me to find God in nature and not to only to acknowledge his worship inside a church. Perhaps the most known quote from the movie is, “Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” I love to relate this quote to life. I think we can all get caught up in certain areas of our life and overlook the fact that everything we do and feel is interrelated. I like to think that the river is life, and all the things we do converge to make a path for our life.

10/10/19 Journal

           

After a run on Trinity Trails this evening, I looked up to notice storms in the distance, slowly approaching Fort Worth. I wasn’t aware that we were supposed to get rain tonight. I went to dinner with my parents and got home just as it began to sprinkle outside. I watched as the storms rolled in, thunder roaring in the sky after each lightning strike. This storm is supposed to bring the mild temperature of fall in the days to come. After watching the storm come in, I decided to get some sleep because it has been a relatively hectic week. As I lay in bed, I was kept up by the rolling thunder of the storm outside. The thunder was so powerful it seemed to shake the house.

            After watching the storm roll in I decided to see if Edward Abbey ever had any quotes about lightning. His descriptive, passionate, writing seemed to be the perfect fit to such a phenomenon. After a little research I quickly found a good quote by Abbey. The quote is, “Lightning streaks like gunfire through the air, volleys of thunder shake the air.” In my opinion, Abbey was dead on with this quote. I keep thinking back to my observations of the lightning as it came through Fort Worth. I could not think of a better way to describe other than gunfire now. Each lightning strike seems so precise, followed by the next strike that again strikes a specific spot. I believe Edward Abbey also make a good observation about thunder, saying “volleys of thunder shake the air.” I imagine he was in a more secluded place when he wrote this, and maybe didn’t have a house for the thunder to shake. This makes me want to observe a storm in a secluded location, to see and feel how it contrast to that of the experience in my Fort Worth house. I believe my perception of the thunder of “shaking the house” would be rather perceived as Abbey’s “shaking the air.”

            Exploring quotes by Edward Abbey eventually led me to see if Thoreau had any famous quotes regarding storms. I found this quote from one of his journals and fell in love with its unique view of nature. The quote is, “Nature makes no noise. The howling storm, the rustling leaf, the pattering rain are no disturbance, there is an essential and unexplored harmony in them.” I think that people today can view storms as not only disturbances, but inconveniences. When I think it’s going to rain, it only means that I need to grab a jacket or an umbrella, or maybe even drive to where I need to go instead of walking. I need to make a more conscious effort to appreciate the rain and storms for what they are. These processes have evolved over millions of years to bring life back into the plants and animals that inhabit the earth. So next time it rains, I will think of this quote.