Beyond the Stockyards: Horseback Riding Through Cowtown

By Nick Olivier, communications intern

When I moved to Fort Worth a year ago, I was amazed to see that the city’s reputation as a cowboy mecca was not exaggerated. I knew about the Fort Worth Rodeo and the Stockyards, but I was surprised to see that the country western way of life permeated the city. I soon found out about the nationally ranked TCU equestrian team, the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the numerous horse shows at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. I guess they don’t call it Cowtown for nothing.

Horseback riding is not limited to the Stockyards. From the Stockyards, horseback riders have easy access to the Trinity Trails system, which can take them just about anywhere along the Trinity River. I was given a chance to ride from the Stockyards toward downtown Fort Worth and Heritage Park. It’s been about 19 years since I have last ridden a horse. I was seven years old and the first George Bush was in the White House. But I was excited about the opportunity to try something completely foreign to me, yet so natural for many Fort Worth residents.

It was a warm Thursday morning, so the trails were sparsely populated. But the horses were a pleasant surprise for those bikers, runners and walkers that passed us by. I was accompanied by Sarah Williams, a local horse enthusiast who has helped organize Mayfest and Fort Worth’s Fourth events. She brought two of her 30 horses, Buck and Twelve, for us to ride. She also owns 11 dogs, a couple longhorns and two parrots out at her ranch in Rome, Texas. Like many Fort Worth-natives, she grew up knowing others that owned horses and dreamed of one day having her own stable. Her husband shows cutting horses.

The Stockyards Stables offer Trinity River Trail Rides. See Fort Worth from a whole new perspective – atop a horse. They also offer a Trinity River Carriage Ride.

Click HERE to see photos of my horseback ride through Cowtown.

Have you ridden a horse on the Trinity Trails? Are you a city slicker eager to embrace the Fort Worth cowboy spirit? Or is visiting the Stockyards enough of an experience? Leave a comment to let us know.

Biking Around Fort Worth with the LMRA Bicycle Club

By Nick Olivier, communications intern

Lockheed Martin employs thousands in the Fort Worth area. Many of these employees stay fit by taking part in various opportunities provided by the Lockheed Martin Recreation Association (LMRA), such as adult softball leagues and water aerobics. About 75 LMRA members have chosen cycling as their preferred path to recreation, relaxation and exercise. The LMRA Bicycle Club began in late 2004 and is geared toward road cycling. Think skinny tires and form-fitting jerseys.

I tagged along as the club went out on its Saturday Morning Breakfast Ride. The ride takes place every weekend all year long, unless it’s under 40 degrees or raining. It’s a social ride, open to anyone, and it’s accommodating to riders of all skill levels. Rather than all ride as one, or all ride independently, the group splits up into three subgroups – swifties, pacers and cruisers. The swifties travel longer distances and at faster speeds than the cruisers. But all end up at the same location at the same time. The groups meet up for breakfast at a different location each Saturday, before then biking back to the LMRA site on Bryant Irvin Road. The breakfast stop splits up the long-distance ride quite nicely and adds to the social nature of the club.

I took to the road on my mountain bike, which is not ideal for the distance I would be travelling that day. I managed to keep up with the pack, the cruisers of course, as we traversed 25.5 miles at 11.6 miles per hour. This week there were 15 riders in all, split into just two groups, but as many as 30 will show up on cooler weekends. My fellow cruisers each took turns riding alongside me, telling me about the club they had grown to love. Each was passionate about cycling and it provided me the energy to keep pace. The group boasts members of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels, including those with no affiliation to Lockheed Martin. This Saturday, 14-year-old Chandler joined the ride and was warmly welcomed by the group. Another past member, Imari Miller, has gone on to become an elite junior national cyclist.

It all started with Jim Wilson. As founder and president of the bicycle club, he has somewhat unintentionally become a prominent voice for cycling advocacy in North Texas. Jim is a F-16 product support engineer with Lockheed after spending 20 years working with F-16s in the Air Force. When he’s not working with jets or cycling around town, Jim takes his elected seat on the Benbrook city council. His path to city councilman began through cycling advocacy. He was instrumental in gathering the various cycling groups across Fort Worth and encouraging them en masse at town hall meetings to ensure that cycling was placed on the agenda. He’s worked with the cities of Benbrook, Fort Worth and Arlington to become more bike-friendly by building trails and including bike lanes in urban areas.

Visit LMRAbicycleclub.com to learn more about this great organization. The group puts on Wednesday night and Friday morning/night rides as well. Annual Dues: $15 individual or $25 family annual dues. There is an annual $20 LMRA guest fee if you are not a Lockheed Martin employee.

Click HERE to see photos from my excursion. Click HERE to watch Jim cycling through Trinity Park.

Did you know about the bike lanes on West 7th, 10th and Texas streets? Didn’t think it was possible to safely traverse the city on bike? Looking for other cyclists to ride with? Leave a comment to let us know.

Water Skiing on the Trinity River. Really?

By Nick Olivier, communications intern

Who knew it was possible to water ski in the shadow of downtown Fort Worth? Of all my adventures so far this summer, I was most surprised to hear that I would be going water skiing on the Trinity River. When I think of water skiing or wakeboarding, I think of driving at least 45 minutes to a lake, or at least a wider, more rural river. Turns out both activities are offered within the city limits.

For water skiing, I hooked up with the Metroplex Ski Club, a family-oriented, social ski club active in Dallas/Fort Worth. The club started out in 1974 based in Dallas, but migrated to Fort Worth in the mid-1980s. The group now spends much of their time at Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth and on a 3-mile stretch of the Trinity River. The group currently has about 70 memberships, amounting to approximately 130 members (some memberships are for families or couples). A little over 50% of members have their own boats, which is not a requirement for membership. The group hosts tournaments and features slalom skiers, show skiers and jumpers. They have put on clinics for disadvantaged youth and the physically disabled.

Streams and Valleys Executive Director Adelaide Leavens joined me on this excursion. She water skied as a teen and was excited to get back on the skis. I, however, had never water skied and was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stand up on the water. But I had some great teachers, who provided me with the water ski equivalent of training wheels. They placed a “boom,” or bar meant for barefoot skiing, on the side of the boat and I held onto that first, rather than starting out with the rope behind the boat. After that, a short rope was attached to the boom, and then I tried out the real thing. With this slow progression, I was able to stand up on my second try behind the boat.

My coaches were ski club secretary Mike Oleson, vice president in charge of the Trinity River Kip Ballinger and former president Bruce Carr. Each has their own story for how they started skiing and how they heard about the club. Mike is from Wisconsin and moved to Fort Worth to work on projects related to the Trinity River Vision Authority. Before moving to Fort Worth, he looked up the ski club because he wanted to find others to ski with. He now helps out with the club’s show ski team, which performs tricks and pyramids.

The club meets every third Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm at the Coors Distributorship at I-35W and Meacham Blvd. in Fort Worth. Visit the MetroplexSkiClub.com for more information.

On a side note, visit CowtownWakepark.com to learn about the new wakeboarding cable park (no boat necessary) along the Trinity River in Fort Worth.

Click HERE for a photo gallery of our water ski trip. Click HERE to see video of me water skiing for the first time (warning: it’s not pretty).

Did you know it was possible to water ski and wakeboard so close to home? Have you ever seen the water skiers on the Trinity River? Think you could get up on your first time? Leave a comment to let us know.

Fort Worth Resident Gives Back to Trinity Trails

By Nick Olivier, communications intern

Loanne Chiu of Fort Worth had won cooking contests before. So when she won the Redwood Creek wines grilling recipe contest, she wasn’t surprised. The grand prize winner received two gifts. One was a trip for two to Colorado Springs to attend chef Steven Raichlen’s Barbecue University. The other gift was a $2,500 donation to the nonprofit organization of Loanne’s choosing. She chose to put the money towards Streams and Valleys for a new bench along the Trinity Trails. She is not into sports, but she loves to walk and ride her bike. “Every time I walk, I always see people enjoying the trails, sitting with a book or just enjoying the breeze,” Loanne said. “The best feature of Fort Worth is the river.”

Loanne had never heard of Streams and Valleys but she knew she wanted to give back to the Trinity Trails she enjoyed so much. After asking around, she found out that Streams and Valleys coordinates placement of the benches along the Trinity River working through the Fort Worth Parks & Community Services Department and Tarrant Regional Water District. She was pleasantly surprised to hear that she would have her pick of location along the Trails and under which tree the bench would rest. She picked the biggest tree offering the most shade on the Clear Fork banch of the Trinity River near the Overton Woods neighborhood. The spot is the close to her home and on the stretch of the Trails that Loanne and her husband have walked and cycled many times over the years. The bench will also be inscribed with the names of Loanne and her husband.

Loanne’s path to Fort Worth spans three continents. The daughter of a Chinese family, she was born in Indonesia, she attended college in Germany before moving to New York City in the early 1970s. In 1979, she moved to Arlington and settled in Fort Worth not long after. “Sometimes life dictates where you go, you just follow,” Loanne said. “We are glad to be here. I like the warm climate much better than shoveling snow in New York.” It was in Germany that she began cooking out of necessity. German food was unfamiliar and undesirable to her, so she cooked on an electric plate in her dorm room. She ate a lot of fried rice and any other dishes were learned through trial and error.

photo from ifood.tv

Now Loanne enters cooking contests as a hobby. She is a practicing psychologist and her clients like to hear about the latest contest and recipe. She won the Redwood Creek contest by creating a recipe for wine-tamarind glazed Cornish hens with tropical salad that is meant to be made and enjoyed with sauvignon blanc. Click HERE for the recipe. She really enjoyed learning from barbecue aficionado Steven Raichlen at the three-day grilling camp in Colorado. Thanks to Loanne and her culinary skills, the Trinity Trails bench will provide her and many others pleasure, relaxation and respite from the sun for years to come.

Contact info@streamsandvalleys.org to inquire about leaving your own legacy and donating a bench along the Trinity Trails.

How often do you make use of the Trinity Trails benches? Do you have a favorite spot to stop and rest? Have you thought about how nice it would be to have a bench with your name inscribed for all to see?

Kayaking on the Trinity River with the First Family of DFW Paddling

By Nicholas Olivier, communications intern

It’s easy to miss but there are three kayak chutes on the Trinity River at Trinity Park. Cut into the dams, the chutes offer kayakers a whitewater experience in the middle of Fort Worth. It also extends the section of the river in which kayakers and canoeists can paddle around. This stretch of the Trinity River is the site of the Streams and Valleys Kayak Clinics. Occurring once a month from June to September, the clinics provide anyone the opportunity to get on the water and paddle about. The next one is this Saturday, July 16, 9am-12pm.

The clinics are taught by Dave Holl, an American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructor. Dave is the authority on paddlesports in Dallas-Fort Worth. Ten years ago, he retired from accounting and began to work full-time as a kayak instructor and retailer through KayakInstruct.com. He’s a licensed distributor of Jackson Kayaks, selling both recreational and high-end boats. His family is based in Rowlett, but the Holls can be found hauling dozens of kayaks at a time across the metroplex to different camps and clinics. As a member of the ACA Board of Directors, Dave is bidding for Dallas-Fort Worth to host the 2015 Paddlesports Conference.

I was able to paddle around with Dave and his two daughters, who are also experienced kayakers. We hopped in our kayaks and took to the water. Dave soon asked if I wanted to try exiting the kayak underwater to practice basic kayak safety. The thought of voluntarily flipping over and plunging into the Trinity did not exactly appeal to me, although Dave assured me that it was refreshing. Turns out he was right. To back up his statement, Dave and his eldest daughter raced each other to see who could roll over in their kayaks fastest.

Click HERE to learn more about the Streams and Valleys Kayak Clinics. The final three clinics of the year take place on July 16, August 20 and September 18. Visit KayakInstruct.com to inquire about kayak rental, purchase and lessons.

Click HERE to view photos of my paddle down the Trinity. Click HERE to view videos of Dave and his daughters executing more advanced kayak maneuvers.

Do you plan on attending one of the remaining Kayak Clinics? Have you ever paddled around on the Trinity River? Do you think you could successfully roll over in a kayak?

Fort Worth Mountain Bikers to Host Fat Tire Festival

By Nicholas Olivier, communications intern

The Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association is a small, but passionate group of off-road cyclists dedicated to bringing the biking community together by building trails, hosting events and providing educational programs. FWMBA, pronounced “fwumbah,” was recognized as a 501c3 nonprofit organization in August 2006 and has grown to about 100 members. The organization has agreements with the City of Fort Worth to build and maintain trails at Marion Sansom Park and Gateway Park. The group’s members have donated over 6,500 man hours of volunteer work towards the trails.

Among the events hosted by FWMBA is the series of Tuesday Night Time Trials. The set of eight races began in March and ended June 21st, alternating between Sansom and Gateway parks. I own a mountain bike and used to ride beginner’s trails as a teen, so naturally I entered the final race of the series. I showed up at Sansom Park and quickly realized that I might be unprepared. Most other participants wore Camelbacks (water packs) and had shoes that click into the pedals on their high-end mountain bikes. I came equipped with a water bottle and tennis shoes. I started out strong enough before losing track of the trail and having to backtrack for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, I was huffing and puffing my way to the finish line, coming in tied for last place alongside the one other newcomer to the series. I finished one lap (approximately 5.5 miles) in 90 minutes. That week’s winner finished two laps in 42 minutes. The good news is that Streams and Valleys has agreed to help fund signage for the Sansom Park trail so that other newcomers won’t have the same problem during next year’s series.

This Sunday, FWMBA will host its inaugural (and hopefully annual) Fort Worth Fat Tire Festival, July 10. Held in Gateway Park from 8am-2pm, the event features many different types of mountain bike events for riders of all ages and skill levels. The schedule includes a Kid’s Cup, an “on-and-off-the-bike” Adventure Challenge, and a Time Trial Finale. The “Fat Boy Crit” race allows riders over 200 lbs., called Clydesdales, to compete on a special oval course and is likened to “NASCAR on two wheels.” The event will also feature live music and wonderful Mexican food from Lanny Lancarte, owner of Lanny’s Alta Cocina. Lanny, an avid biker, will be providing burritos and iced coffee for breakfast and then tacos and tamales for lunch.

A $15 donation includes one meal ticket, an American Apparel t-shirt with FWMBA logo, a water bottle and a koozie. Proceeds go towards Phase II of the Gateway Park trail build, including over 200 feet of elevation and spectacular views of downtown. The organization estimates that the 5.5 mile extension will require 1000 volunteer hours per mile. To learn more about the Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association and its events, click HERE. To subscribe to the official FWMBA podcast, The Mountain Bike Whisperer Radio Show, search for it on iTunes or click HERE.

Click HERE to view photos of the final Tuesday Night Time Trial and podcast recording.

Click HERE to view videos of the bikers in action.

Have you explored the trails in Gateway Park and Marion Sansom Park? Did you know Fort Worth had such a thriving mountain bike community? Do you plan on attending this weekends Fat Tire Festival?

Fly Fishing On and In the Trinity River

The Fort Worth Fly Fishers aren’t your ordinary group of fishers. These fishers are serious about their craft. They regularly go on outings to fly fish at the best watering holes around the state, region and country. This past weekend, members of the group headed out to Southfork, Colorado. But staying true to their roots, members can also be found wading in the waters of the Trinity River.

I joined three members of the club last Tuesday to explore the Trinity, between Southwest Blvd. and Bryant Irvin Road. I can count on one hand the number of times I have fished and fly fishing isn’t one of them. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to pick up the technique and that I would be a burden on this particular outing. Luckily, I had three very experienced, very patient teachers. FWFF president Russell Husted, former president Les Jackson and long-time member Larry Harbison.

Each took turns showing me the ropes. A proper fly fishing cast is like a golf swing, and I don’t golf. But within a few hours, I learned enough to truly enjoy myself. My biggest mistake was creating a “birds nest” of a tangle in the line while reeling in. I hadn’t caught a fish and we were about to leave, only for Larry to suggest a few more casts. Persistence paid off as I was able to catch a six-inch Perch, a true feat for a novice like me. There might not be a more intimate way to experience the Trinity River than to fly fish in it. Standing knee deep in its waters allows you to feel the current flowing through the heart of the city.

The Fort Worth Fly Fishers have been around since 1978, growing to over 100 members. As many as 30 members attend each outing. In addition to organizing fishing trips for themselves, the group aims to promote the sport of fly fishing in the local community. They contribute to conservation efforts, such river clean-ups, donate to charity and provide educational exhibitions. Larry Harbison joined over 10 years ago. His work doesn’t allow him to fish as much as he’d like, but the Trinity provides a close and convenient venue to do what he loves when he gets the chance.

The FWFF meets the first Tuesday of the month. For more information, visit http://fortworthflyfishers.org/.

Click HERE to see more photos of my excursion in and around the Trinity River.

Click HERE to see more videos of the experts in action.

Have you ever fished the Trinity? Thinking about joining the group? Did you know that it was possible to fly fish inside Fort Worth city limits?

Rowing Club Enjoys Piece of the Trinity River

By Nick Olivier, Communications Intern

Located between two dams, the Fort Worth Rowing Club enjoys a 3000 meter stretch of the Trinity River nearly all to itself. From its boathouse and dock near the Beach Street bridge to the Fourth Street bridge, you can often find members of the club rowing up and down the river. Whether training for the next regatta or enjoying a peaceful exercise, the rowers make full use of the Trinity River. The club averages 1,000 rowing trips a year among its members and guests, not including the Steerhead Regatta it hosts every September. Other than the most avid individual fishermen, the group of about 75 rowers touch the river more than any other user group.

Last Thursday evening, I strolled up to the club’s boathouse ready for a leisurely trip down the Trinity. I had never rowed before and I quickly realized that jumping in the boat and rowing down the river isn’t so easy. The mechanics of rowing and the unsteadiness of the skinny row boats made my first trip more difficult than I expected. After I learned the difference between holding my oars in “square” and “feather” positions, I was on my way. I think I did surprisingly well, perhaps due to past experience with ergonomic rowing machines in gyms. More likely it was due to great coaching.

I received a crash course (minus the crash) in rowing from two very friendly members, membership director Kristen Laramore and charter president Lee Smith. Smith, 76, has been with the club since it’s inception over 20 years ago. Smith and about 11 friends, many of them eagle scouts began meeting informally in 1989 and received recognition as an official USRowing club in 1991. A rowing merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts since 1950, Smith rows competitively with his daughter, Amy Rice. The pairing won a gold and a silver medal at the 1999 National Championships in Atlanta.

The long-term goal of the club’s founding members was to foster crews for high school and collegiate programs. Dallas has multiple high school rowing programs, but the Fort Worth Rowing Club would like to assist local high schools to start their own teams. The club produces serious competitors for state, regional and national competitions. One member was a collegiate national champion while rowing for the University of Wisconsin. The club is currently accommodating collegiate rowers on summer break from the University of Texas and the University of Pennsylvania. A Brazilian international rower on her way to the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York City trained for two weeks on the Trinity River.

Did you know: Technically-speaking, the Fort Worth Rowing Club engages in very little rowing. “Rowing” is actually done with two or more rowers on the same boat each using one oar on one side of the boat. Nearly all the club’s boats are geared for “skulling,” in which each person uses two oars, one on either side of the boat. This allows for individuals to get on the water by themselves, as well as in groups of two or four.

For more information regarding lessons and joining the club, click HERE.

Click HERE to see more photos of the rowing club and its boathouse.

Click HERE to see video of Lee and Amy row-row-rowing their boat.

Have you seen the rowers on the Trinity? Do you wish you could join them on the water? Or are you more of a canoe and kayak person?

5000 Reasons to Run on a Thursday

By Nick Olivier, Communications Intern

Ricky Cox is a legend in the Fort Worth running community. His summer 5K series has become a Fort Worth institution in its 26 years of existence. For 12 Thursday nights ever summer, the Trinity 5000 attracts more than 100 runners of all ages and origins. The race starts at 7:30pm and begins at the Haws Athletic Center. The 3.1 mile run occurs along the Trinity River with downtown Fort Worth serving as the backdrop. Every other Thursday, Trinity River Vision hosts the Rockin’ the River tube float and concert series, adding to the already festive atmosphere.

Last Thursday (June 9), I participated in the second 5K of the summer. Having only run two 5K’s before and recently returning from vacation in New Orleans, I wouldn’t describe myself as being in top physical condition. My lack of competitive running experience made me think I could bring my small backpack with me on the run, which was a bad idea. My worries soon subsided and were replaced with exertion. The race is not overly competitive but it does attract some talented runners. I finished in the longest 33 minutes of my life. Seven minutes later, an 80-year-old man crossed the finish line.

The Cox family ensures that the race is fun and welcoming to all types of runners. A dozen or so family members organize and work at each week’s Trinity 5000. Cox Racing Services is the family business that organizes races in the Tarrant County area. Ricky, 51, is a three-time winner of the Cowtown Marathon. He’s run in the Boston Marathon, performing well enough to qualify for the 1984 Olympic Trials. He had three children and 10 grandchildren that all run or play football. When he’s not running five miles a day, Ricky is a paratransit supervisor for the T, Fort Worth’s Transit Authority.

Ricky hopes the Trinity 5000 serves multiple purposes. He aims to provide a venue for young competitive runners to train. He also wants it to be a social event. Each Thursday kicks off with a kids 1K race. Of the 135 runners taking part in last week’s 5K, many of them knew each other. Almost everyone knows Ricky and many have been running the summer series for years.

You can join them this Thursday. No prior registration necessary. For more information, click HERE.

Click HERE to see more photos of the Trinity 5000 as well as the Rockin’ the River tube float.

Click HERE to see more videos of the event, including the starting line for both the 5K and Kids 1K.

Have you run the Trinity 5000? Do you plan to take part some time this summer? Or do you prefer to watch from the comfort of your tube? What’s your favorite stretch of the Trinity Trails to run on?

Bluebird Project Increases Population Along Trinity River

By Nick Olivier, Communications Intern

Jim Marshall doesn’t claim to be an ornithologist (studier of birds) or even an expert birder (bird watcher). He’s just a guy who loves the outdoors and appreciates its wildlife. One day in 2007, he was surprised to see a few bluebirds along the Trinity Trails and Trinity River in Fort Worth. Having owned a feed store, he reached out to Streams and Valleys for help receiving permission from the city to put up manmade nest boxes along the trails. Four years later, the bluebird population is thriving, to the benefit of the birds and all users of the Trinity Trails.

I met Jim one weekday morning to follow him as he checked on the dozen or so nest boxes lined along a 3.5-mile stretch of the Trinity Trails between Rogers Road and Bryant Irvin Road. I expected to see few bluebirds and to have a hard time capturing them with my camera. I figured the closest I would get to seeing bluebirds would be their eggs inside the nest boxes. I quickly realized that the Bluebird Project was farther along than I thought. An estimated total of 70 fledglings hatched during the 2010 season alone.

Apparently, I picked a good day to join Jim on his check-up. We saw bluebirds flying around just about every nest box we stopped at. Usually, each nest box was accompanied by a male and female looking after and feeding their young. Two different bike riders, one stranger and one acquaintance, stopped to tell Jim that they appreciated his work and enjoyed seeing the bluebirds. Jim’s rounds included stops to give the bluebirds treats (worms), label a newer nest box and check in on some chicks nearly about to fledge (leave the nest for good).

Bluebirds 101: As with most birds, male bluebirds are more brightly colored than their female counterparts. The males are bright blue with burnt orange chests while the females are lighter blue mixed with brown. Bluebirds differ from blue jays in that bluebirds have orange chests and blue jays have a white stripe on their backs. Bluebirds eat insects and the parents bring the food to their babies. Bluebirds eggs are preyed upon by hawks, snakes and fire ants. Bluebirds are territorial up to about 100 yards and they nest in notches (holes) in trees. The nest boxes are meant to recreate these notches.

Click HERE to see the many more photos of the bluebirds, including fledglings.

Click HERE to see video of the bluebirds in flight, enjoying a worm and more.

Have you seen the bluebirds along the Trinity Trails? What other birds would you like to see on your next bike ride or jog? Do you wish there were more people like Jim working to make the trails a more scenic environment?