Today I picked up a pen, viewed my goals for 2014, and checked off "Triathlon".  Don't get excited, it wasn't an Ironman or a Forest Gump trek, but I finished... check (bicep flex).  The morning was cold, and I awkwardly found myself wearing triathlon tights and a swim cap- waiting to jump into a frigid undisturbed lake- with hundreds of strangers (why am I here again?).  The swim went well.  I was very relaxed, took my time, and made an extra effort to hug the outside, avoiding the chaos.  According to my pre-race intel, biking was the easiest leg... I respectfully reject that theory.

Although, I was riding my friend's Schwinn bike.  Yeah, that's it... that's the sole reason younger AND older men AND women were passing me... 100% the reason.  The run was next.  By this point, I was in a zone- just cruising.  I had plenty of gas left in the tank, physically and mentally.  Step, inhale, step, exhale, finish line... done, I'm starving.  My reward was a Buzz brew's feast with my wife.... followed by a four hour nap.  I'm hooked... Half Ironman?... challenge accepted.  

Be Authentic

- Sterling

I spent the day volunteering at the Trinity Audubon Center.  If you are interested in the outdoors and conservation, make time for a visit.  The Center encompasses nature tours, bird watching, educational opportunities, and a gift shop.  This once illegal dumpsite hosting over 1.5 million tons of waste, is now a LEED certified building, and home to numerous plant and animal species. 

The site's sustainable design is easy to miss, but important to note.  Permeable pavement for increased water collection, rooftop gardens, high efficient heating and A/C systems, low flow toilets, locally purchased materials, and increased daylighting characterizes the center.  This is the first LEED certified building constructed by Dallas Park and Recreation Department

I shadowed a tour guide as she led a group of third graders around the complex.  She started with a brief description of various life forms found in the area.  We hiked an outlined trail, noting bee hives, diverse fauna, and the Trinity River.  (The tour also offers a river boat activity, but unfortunately, was unavailable).  The kids had notebooks and were scribbling ideas, drawing photos, and asking better questions than I could have imagined.  At the end of the tour, the students took water samples and examined their findings. Creatures such as water bugs, spiders, and fish were discovered.  Pretty cool to see their wheels turning. 

Science is incredible, and the earlier kids get hooked (on science)... the better.  Side note- Did you know the Trinity Forest, at 6,000 acres is the largest urban bottomland hardwood forest in North America?  Neither did I, but one would never guess it existed just outside of Dallas.