Master Naturalist Field Trip

Currently reading:
The Last Unicorn
Peter Beagle

Last one!
So I drove all the way to a far end of Fort Worth, and I have to say it would have been near impossible without my sister's GPS unit. There's a lot to see in the nothingness of that part of Fort Worth, so it's nice not having to constantly read the MapQuest sheet; things like wild sunflowers growing from storm drains and unique local businesses.

We were there to see different aquatic ecosystems. First we went invertebrate sampling in a marsh which is what I do at work anyway. Then we went seining in a river, or maybe it was a creek. I hadn't brought extra clothes so I tried to stay dry, but the bottom was full of drops and I ended up swimming. After that, we went to a pseudo-lake for more swimming and seining.

Notes of interest:
Our guide sort of behaved and spoke in the same tone as Harrison Ford.

Swimming with a complete set of clothes on feels very strange, like there should be weight but there is none. The water is everywhere, in and around, and it pushes my clothes around like reeds. The clothes brush me and move away, creating a feeling like being in a crowded hall with people sliding by, barely touching. It's also like being given a light embrace, a watery hug.
I want to go skinny dipping.

To get between the various locations, all fifteen of us piled in the cab and bed of this monster truck. I stayed in the bed every time because there's something about it that really gets me going. The wind whips around us as we push forward and yet we're just sitting. I think riding in the back combines the comfort of being still on a bench with the excitement of riding a motorcycle and having everything so immediate to you.
Then the surroundings are always opening up and folding back down as we drive, almost like turning the page of a pop-up book. The rides were very exciting for me.
I think my dying wish will be to ride in the bed of a truck one last time to see and feel it all.

During the entire six hour field trip, the only water I had was a little thermos I brought with my lunch. By the end of the day, the last truck ride, I felt very relaxed and dehydrated but cool because of the wind. I found specific things in the environment very fascinating and I kept staring at everything. The pop-up book perspective was even more exaggerated because of the lack of water. I'll have to look into experimenting with this type of altered consciousness some time.

Since I had no clothes to change into, I just stripped down and drove home. The car was actually much more comfortable without clothes on.

Got a call from Dandelion. We were both highway driving, except hers was empty. She said she would make a map of her hometown for when I'm able to go see it. I wish she could come and show me. I hope she has a fun adventure at the wedding tonight.

Parents are out of town until Tuesday night, so I've got the rest of the day to myself. Mom has been getting stressed over nothing (she actually said she didn't know why). Seems like every time I talk to her, she ends up raising her voice for some reason. I don't think she likes the way I speak.