Fishing his cure for work-related stress

Javier Lopez goes fishing twice a week at Baytown Nature Center.

“I was born in Mexico. First, I came to California. I went to school a little bit, and then I found a job. I cooked, working in the kitchens. I stayed there for 22 years.

“Many people come here looking for work. They want a better life for themselves, for their family. I was married 27 years ago. I have my wife and four kids. Two of them are already married.

“I come out here (Baytown Nature Center) two days a week. The doctor says I have too much stress. I work at the grocery store five or six days a week. He says I need to relax. So I come out here to fish. It’s fun. It’s relaxing. It helps.”

— Javier Lopez