Buffalo Bayou

Approximately 18,000 years old, Buffalo Bayou is the site of Houston’s founding in 1836. The slow-moving 52-mile long bayou remains in its natural state. It is home to a diverse urban ecosystem that supports numerous native species of flora and fauna. The bayou is a destination for outdoor recreation, which include walking, hiking, running, and biking.

Buffalo Bayou is only a few blocks from my apartment. Every morning around 5:30 am I begin a 4-6 mile brisk walk along the Kinder foot path. When it’s not too hot and humid, I walk to the Wortham Center in downtown Houston. The walk is 3 miles in each direction. .

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

The Waugh Drive Bat Colony is home to several hundred thousand bats that emerge at sunset. The colony is located underneath the Waugh Drive Bridge (shown below) near Buffalo Bayou.

Tolerance Sculptures

Designed by Barcelona artist Jaume Plensa, Tolerance Sculptures of kneeling human figures, encourage Buffalo Bayou joggers and commuters on Allen Parkway to give pause and consider the city’s dynamic diversity. The sculptures are framed by the dramatic towering Houston skyline.