This summer I had different jobs that occupied most of my time, therefore I was not able to go out and explore nature around my town too much. Although during the afternoons, I would either go run at the school track or around town. This was my way of relieving stress or simply my time to be alone. When I would do so, I would try to remember to use my FitBit to keep track of my time and distance that I had either ran or walked. Using the FitBit was really fun, because I was able to challenge myself and set goals to reach throughout the summer.
I live in a really small town that lies right between Houston and San Antonio and I have noticed that even if I had time to go out and explore, there are not many choices. My town consists of about 1,500 people who are really into sports and livestock rather than spending time in nature. While we do have a lot of open land with cattle and other animals on the country side, I have became a little bored with the atmosphere around my town (don’t get me wrong, I still love my boring little town, I just prefer new things once in a while.) There are also many places around my town that have found oil, meaning they have dug huge oil rigs that light up the outside of the town and no longer give it a dark sense at night.
While my hometown is not into nature, my second home, Austin, Texas has many different things to see and do outdoors!
Austin has a completely different atmosphere from my hometown, considering they are into the environment and have many different places to go explore. Austin even has its own foundation specifically for parks, trails, and open spaces called Austin Parks Foundation. This is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to building partnerships and developing these places.
A few of my favorite spots to go on and spend time at in Austin are Barton Creek Greenbelt, Blunn Creek, Barton Springs Pool, Lady Bird Lake, Pennybacker Bridge, and scenic places around St. Edward’s campus.
Barton Creek Greenbelt has many different parks, trails, and swimming spots for people to explore. The Greenbelt has a different environment compared to other places, such as Barton Springs Pool. Here, people do a lot of hiking and running. Once it starts to warm up throughout the year, people will begin to swim in the cool water. The times that I have been, I have not taken the time to appreciate the little things.
Blunn Creek is a small creek near St. Edward’s University that many people go hiking/running at or to look at things for educational purposes. For example, my professor from biology last semester had my class take a trip to Blunn Creek to observe the different types of insects and flowers in the environment. We were all given either binoculars or butterfly catchers to share anything we had found. We ended up finding small insects such as caterpillars and roly pollies. We also looked at the different types of plants and noticed that there was a lot of poison ivy throughout the trails.
The majority of Blunn Creek is covered with trees so while walking through it, it is hard to remember that you are even in the city! Blunn Creek is deficiently one of my favorite places to go because it is hidden, therefore there are not many people so you get the chance to listen to the sounds around you and relax.
A very popular spot in Austin is Barton Springs Pool, which is a spring-fed swimming hole in Zilker Park that averages a temperature of 68-70 degrees. It is a perfect place to relax and swim at on a hot, Texas day. I love going to Barton Springs after a long day of classes to swim and lay out on the grass with friends! When you enter the water, you have some regret because it is pretty cold at first, but you get used to it after a while. Around the pool and on the rocks you will find some slimy algae, but it won’t hurt you (unless you slip). Barton Springs is also home to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander.
Lady Bird Lake is used for many different recreational uses such a biking, running, kayaking, rowing, and much more. While in Austin, I love going kayaking because it is not only relaxing, but it lets me spend time outdoors and be active! I am also able to go running on the trail without getting starred at like in my hometown.
“Wilderness areas are first of all a series of sanctuaries for the primitive arts of wilderness travel, especially canoeing and packing.” -Sandy County Almanac
A touristy spot to visit while in Austin is Pennybacker Bridge. It is a bridge that has a very scenic view and requires a small hike up. When I go to Pennybacker Bridge, I feel so free because of the view and open space at the top. It is definitely one of my favorite stress relieving spots.
Places on campus that are relaxing to spend time around are Sorin Oak, the side of the soccer field, and the lawn in front of main building. Around the day on campus, you will find LOTS of squirrels (who are very friendly, of course.) The friendly atmosphere around the campus is also great!
While in Angers, I have noticed that there are many places to go to and spend time in nature. There are different gardens, country sides that have biking/running trails, and much more that I have yet to explore.
While I have not mentioned too much about the weather and such, I am sure it is a given that Texas is pretty bipolar when it comes to weather. One morning you will wake up and put on a pair of running shorts and shirt to class and next thing you know, you will walk out of class and be hit by a sudden cold front and almost regret not wearing your Uggs to class.
Since being in Angers, I have noticed that the temperature is pretty consistent throughout the day and month. Over the semester, I plan to compare the unpredictable weather in Texas and calm weather in Angers and how it affects how we spend time connecting with nature. I also want to compare the different types of activities people take part in throughout the summer, fall and winter.
“The weather supplies many metaphors for our changeable minds.”
Bess, Michael. “The Light-Green Society: Ecology and Technological Modernity in France, 1960-2000 1st Edition.”
Leopold, Aldo, and Charles Walsh Schwartz. A Sand County Almanac. With Other Essays on Conservation from Round River. New York: Oxford UP, 1966. Print.
Haslam, Nick. “Here Comes the Sun: How the Weather Affects Our Mood.” The Conversation. University of Melbourne, 22 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Sept. 2015.