Since my nursing friends and I have completed our lengthy clinicals for the semester that we usually have on Wednesdays and Fridays, we found ourselves with excessive free time this Wednesday. We are not used to having an entire day with nothing to do, especially as busy nursing students. One of my friends devised an amazing idea for us to spend our time--going for a walk along the Trinity River in Fort Worth and "geocaching".
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity where you utilize the Geocaching app to search for containers, called geocaches, which are hidden outside in nature. The caches are often difficult to find, which provokes the geocacher to spend copious amounts of time outside searching for them. They come in all different sizes, and are hidden in places like under fake rocks, in a glass jar, or inside a telephone pole for instance. This app is a creative way to stay active, bond with friends, and explore the outdoors.
As my friends and I ventured on our walk along the Trinity River, we tried to find some caches along the way. For the most part, we talked about school stressors and how nice it felt to be outside. As nursing students, we are constantly stuck inside for classes, day long clinicals, and study sessions in coffee shops. The 70º sunny weather was enjoyable after days of cold cloudiness. I unfortunately forgot sunglasses, so I had to put up with the radiant amber sunlight as the sun was slowly setting in the evening. The sun is such a powerful force, its warmth surrounding you like a hug.
As we walked for probably a mile before turning back around, something I enjoyed the most was how many other civilians were outside enjoying the immaculate weather as well. Along our stroll, we passed dozens of bikers and other walkers taking in this evening sunlight. There is something so serene and special about appreciating the outdoors with other people. Looking down at the river, the water was murky with an almost chocolate hue. The recent rain must have drawn dirt and mud into the river, I suppose, although the water is never clear. On our way back, we noticed a fishy aroma coming from the other side of the river. On each tree along the river side, there were flocks of pelicans and crows. As the sun was setting, the black crows became almost eerie and foreshadowed the darkness that was about to takeover. This was our cue that it was time to emerge from this wilderness state and return to civilization.
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