FIRST IMPRESSION This is the first time I've been down to Waller Creek. I see it everyday as the bus passes by, but I never found it too interesting. Now that I'm down here, I realize it is actually kind of pretty, as well as peaceful. I chose to sit by the mini waterfall because I love waterfalls. They are my absolute favorte thing about water. The sound of them I have always found to be soothing, in fact I could probably take a nap right here. I especially like this waterfall beause you can actually see the water "rolling" off the rocks. It is not just a fall. At this particuliar waterfall, it has a main flow of water but it also has a little flow off to the side that lands into its own little pool eventually rejoining the main flow in the creek. The current is very slow in the creek and does not seem to care about the hurried rush of students that walk along the creek. The creek seems to be enjoying the sunshine as light reflects off the water giving it a shiny glimmer. The white limestone also stands out as the sun hits it. Like Jones said in his video, "The limestone bed of this creek is unusual. I don't think I've seen anything quite like Waller Creek." I too find the limestone bed amazing. The water is very shallow in this part of the creek which I also like because it allows the rocks to stand out. This allows me to actually sit in the creek. I am not confined to the banks like on most rivers and creeks. The other thing that struck me about the creek was it's distinct smell. This smell immediately took me back to all my summer vacations in New Braunfels, Texas. The smell was the same as the Comal River that runs through New Braunfels and dumps into the Guadalupe River. It is not a bad smell, actually I find it kind of refreshing. I wanted to grab my tube and start floating. But, I would not get very far down Waller Creek before getting stuck on a rock. So instead, I just enjoy the memory and wait for summer. THE SQUIRREL As I was sitting on the bank admiring the waterfall and the tree with the cool intemingling roots a little squirrel came out to say hello and ponder why I was there..... I hear all these people out on the creek. Who could it be and why are they here? I'll check it out. I go out on my favorite root and find a girl writing something. She takes a break and then discovers me. We stare each other down and she kind of smiles. I look at her pondering her intentions on the creek. Is she going to hurt me? I hope not. She sure isn't going to feed me because I see no seeds or bread. Darn. Maybe all these people are out here because they are planning to destroy my home. I am getting stressed and the girl notices, great! I must go hide and collect myself. Maybe when I come back out she will be gone. I am now hiding and praying the people will leave. I have not heard anything lately so Im going up. I peek out and that same girl is still there and she has spotted me again. She is smiling even more. She thinks this is funny. I can't take this anymore, I must go warn the others.... UNDER THE BRIDGE I continue to flow under the bridge and a new girl has come to see me. Down by the waterfall she seemed happy and enjoying the creek, but down here her facial expression has changed, and I know why. It is now visible to her the pollution and litering that has occurred in the creek. She is looking around and sees students' papers, coke bottles, water bottles, cigarettes, and much more. I myself am used to it but I am also a little tired of it. How hard is it to find a trash can and throw this stuff away? Do I look like a trash can to you? Evidently it is very hard for people to take two seconds to find an acceptable place to dispose of their trash. Oh thats right, they are in hurry to get to class and the creek just seems so convenient. Who cares about the creek anyway. I am of no significance to a majority of those people and probably never will be until they realize how important I really am and how important it is to preserve me. The girl seems distressed about what she has seen. Is she realizing they take too much for granted or is she realizing that they buzz trough life without really LIVING. Eventually the same thing will happen to creeks, brooks, and rivers that will happen to the forests discussed in "Committed 'til Death to the Call of the Forest." Patrick Beach quoted Doug Thron, "They'll continue to log as quickly as possible, and one day that'll be it (182)."