River Reflection #2

A small smile appeared on my face as I leaned against the gray cement wall. The sun warmed my sunburnt face, and I couldn't help but think how glad I was for putting sunscreen on today. For this river reflection, I chose a different part of the Trinity River. The wind at this location was much more noticeable and constant. I first noticed this as I brushed wisps of hair from my eyes and looked into the murky water. It looked almost like a mosaic. Winds from all sides made waves every which way creating divots that looked like the grout between different pieces of a mosaic. It was actually a beautiful thing to witness.

The trail that I was standing on was not busy (I think most people had celebrated the Frogs' win so much yesterday that they needed a few more hours of sleep). This made for an especially relaxing experience. A couple strolled by. They were both wearing work clothes. I guessed that they had just come from church. They smiled, waved, and kept walking. Another couple came by, but they were power-walking. The pair each had a curly-haired dog and were both wearing neon yellow shirts. They smiled and continued on their mission. Two bikers sped by and then it was quite again. 

In my daze, I noticed a very large turtle just off the bank of the river's surface. Alone, it popped its head out of the water and felt the rays of the morning sun. A large truck passed over the bridge to my right and it scared the turtle back to the dirty depths of the Trinity. 

The two bridges on either side of me hummed with their loads accompanying the buzzing of the huge dragonflies that danced around. 

The other side of the river contained a line of large green trees, but a little left of where I was standing I suddenly noticed a huge emptiness. Green tarp lined the soil leading down the steep hill to the river. I could only imagine it is for drainage when it rains. Facts about Texas' extreme drought popped into my head. I couldn't help but remember the terrible storm from Thursday. Everything is really bigger in Texas. And when it rains (though only for a few minutes), it pours. 

Beginning to feel my skin get hot, I decided it was time to go. While this river experience didn't contain much action, the same feeling of serenity had come across my entire body. I was so relaxed and at peace. Sometimes I forget how wonderful being outside and breathing fresh air is. The simplest things in life, are sometimes the best.