My Return to the Water Gardens

Trip to the water gardens

When I first found out we were having a class down at the water garden I was immediately excited. I have only been to the water gardens once and I remember it fondly. It was freshman year before school had started. I signed up for Casa C frog camp, which is the one based in the Fort Worth area. Since I live in Massachusetts, frog camp was only the second time I’d ever visited the Fort Worth area. I think it was one of the last days of frog camp that we were scheduled to go to the water gardens. If I remember correctly, it was meant to be a shorter event before we all came back together as a camp and discussed the week. Even though it was scheduled as a minor event in the day I think it was one of my favorite parts of frog camp. I was very confused when they said we were going to the “water gardens.” To be honest I really had no idea what to expect. I assumed that it was going to be like a few fountains or something in downtown Fort Worth or something similar to the fountains in Sundance square. When I first walked up to the park I thought it was kind of in a weird area. In downtown Fort Worth near a highway on ramp is not the most scenic area for a place called the “water gardens.” As you enter the park, however, you seem to leave the city and enter an oasis within the metal jungle. As you go farther into the park the noise of cars leave and all you hear is water. Its an interesting feeling going from downtown to feeling like your in a park. When I first walked up to the main water fountain I was in awe. It was more than just a fountain. It was something completely different. It was like a giant waterfall in the middle of the city. Even though we were only there for roughly an hour it was fun walking around the fountain and feeling the mist in the heat of the summer.

 As Dr Williams explained that we would be going there for a class I was overfilled with joy. Thoughts of that day at frog camp immediately came back. As the weekend came to an end the monday we were scheduled to visit the water gardens had finally come. My class prior to Lit and Civ had been canceled so I was able to leave my house a little early. When I pulled up to where the park was I soon remember the “concrete jungle” that the park was settled in. As I tried to find parking I looked around and remembered how strange of a location this park was in. It took a solid 10 minuets until I found a parking spot within walking distance from the water gardens. I was about 50% sure I was not allowed to park there but I was tired of driving around. So, with my car most likely going to get a ticket, I set out on my adventure to the water gardens. I crossed two major roads and entered the park. This time, however, I entered from a different area than when I visited during frog camp. This time I entered from the far side of the park and walked by two fountains that I did not recognize. One had several small mist fountains all coming together to form a misty collaboration in the middle. The other fountain was a small pool where the water ran down the walls of the pit that it was positioned in. I did not remember either of these fountains from my first trip. I think I was too over whelmed by the main fountain structure that I did not venture off into the park to explore. As I continued into the park I saw my other classmates sitting by the main fountain. I walked up and saw what I had remembered as the waterfall oasis in the concrete jungle. It was just as glorious as I remembered it. The large waterfalls running down the rock siding and emptying out into the bottom pit. As I sit there with the rest of my class I felt at peace. I don't know what it is about listening to the sound of running water but it is extremely calming. After awhile the class ventured down into the pit where the water was emptying into. I walked down and found an area to sit down and just listen to the water flow. The sound of water filled my ears and I was able to reflect about life and other issues that where affecting my life at the moment. I also thought how strange it is how quickly time passes. I have already been at TCU for two whole years. Two years ago I was a freshman straight out of high-school and now I am more than half way finished with my college career. Just like the water in the fountain time flows on not waiting for anything or anyone. After about 15 minuets the class had started going back out of the pit so I followed. As the class came to an end I reflected about how I came here two years ago and here I am again, hopefully wiser and more mature. Overall the trip to the water garden was very enjoyable. It brought back memories, allowed me to reflect, and allowed me to get away from the hustle in my everyday life.

   

First River Reflection

First River Reflection

For my first river reflection I chose a spot across the street form the botanical gardens.  I figured that this would be a good place to start because the city keeps this area relatively clean.  As I drive up I see the train filled with kids go by as some joggers run by my car.  As I park I remember all the times I’ve been down to this part of the trinity.  I think the first couple times I was apart of a group called LEAPS and I helped volunteer to clean up the trash around the river.  Because of groups such as LEAPS this part of the river is especially clean.  I remember walking down the side of the river and seeing joggers and bikers wiz by as yoga classes were going on to our left.  I remember being surprised at how much activity was going on.  I often heard jokes back at school saying that the trinity was extremely dirty and no one would ever go there to hang out.  This, however, was obviously not true (at least in this part of the river).  As I choose a spot to sit down and write this reflection I happen to walk by a familiar area.  I am having a tough time remembering why exactly this place was familiar but then it hit me.  I had come down here with one of the organizations I belong to and had a relay race sort of event in this clearing.  That day was fun.  We each were split up into teams and tried to finish a list of tasks and puzzles.  The day eventually ended in an egg fight as we got our hands on the egg cartons that were supposed to be used for the egg toss.  

I find my spot to sit and begin to enjoy the weather.  It is a nice Friday morning and the weather is perfect.  It is sunny but not to hot with a slight breeze.  There are some joggers running by and a few bikers.  The river looks especially clean and I can only think about the parts that we canoed through only a couple weeks ago.  The contrast between the two areas is extremely great.  Its hard to believe that one area can look clean while another part of the river can have trash floating on either side of your canoe.  

As I sit I hear the train go by again and wonder if adults can go on it.  Every time I drive by this area of the trinity I always think that it would be fun to hop on the train and go for the little ride.  I wonder what kind of looks I would get from the other parents on the ride that got dragged by their children.  Not wanting to go on the train at all they sit counting the seconds until its over as I hop up with a smile on my face and prepare for the short adventure.  I think the idea seems so fun because I can still remember a time when I was younger, at disney I think, where my family and I all hopped on one of their trains for a ride through a simulated rain forest.  This was such a cool ride and is such a great memory I think thats probably what I imagine this train ride being like, even though its about a 5 minute ride in an open field.  Either way I have enjoyed my time at the river and have seen a lot of interesting people and touched on some fond memories both from the trinity and other places.  I think for my second reflection I will venture to a different part of the Trinity and explore a lesser traveled path.  

My Fishing Activity

I have never been a huge fisherman.  Ever since I was a kid no one in my family thoroughly enjoyed it, however, we often seemed to go up to a small lake behind my house and fish.  This was especially true when I was younger.  I’m not sure what it was that kept us going.  The idea of fishing, to me, is very boring and not something that I enjoy doing, however, each time that my siblings and I would go up and fish we would always have a good time.  Just as the movie “A River Runs Through It” implies the fishing was more than just fishing.  Each time we would go up to the lake we would bond and spend time together.  We would first have to hike through our field and climb through some shrubs until we finally made it to the lake.  The lake was barley a lake as well.  It was a very small body of water that you could probably throw a rock to the other side if you tried hard enough.  Anytime we actually caught a fish it was no bigger than the palm of our hand and we immediately let it go because none of us even liked the taste of fish.  These moments, however, spending Saturday afternoon or a Friday night on our little lake will always remain cherished memories to me.  

This idea of the people your with greatly outweighing the actual activity is prevalent in the movie “A River Runs Through It.”  Even though the two boys thoroughly enjoy fishing they are getting the most gratification out of spending time together.  This bonding time allows them to forget all about their troubles and whats going on in each others lives and enjoy each others company.  This is how it felt when my family and I would fish.  It would just be a relaxing hour or two where everyone relaxed and forgot about real life.  In the movie the boys use fishing as an escape and do it often.  One example of this is when Paul decides to go back into the casino house when Norman tries to get him to leave.  As Norman is pulling out of the parking lot Paul runs up to the car and asks if he’d like to go fishing the next day.  Norman was visibly upset with his brother prior to this request, however, once fishing is brought up it appears that his anger is at least lightened.  

Certain people have different activities that act as fishing did for Norman and Paul.  I think that it is crucial to find your “fishing” activity to allow yourself to relax and unwind in times of stress.  I have currently found a new thing that I enjoy doing: listening to music.  I find music therapeutic and often just listen to music for hours surfing the web trying to find new sounds that I’ve never heard of before.  I have gone to multiple music festivals and concerts over the past couple years and have enjoyed them thoroughly.  Like the river I think that music is able to bring people together and allow them to forget about their troubles and whats going on in “real” life.  Its amazing how thousands of strangers can come together and enjoy the music as one.