Beautiful weather greeted those brave enough to join the group for the paddle from Zoeller Lane to the Sisterdale crossing. The temperature was close to 60 degrees by the time we launched our boats (ten kayaks and David's solo canoe), and climbed into the upper sixties during the afternoon. The sky was perfectly clear, and a half moon was visible through the trees. The river flow was approximately 56 cfs, much lower than average for the date, but perfectly adequate for a nice day on the river. Kudos to Joline for selecting this stretch of the Guadalupe and ordering the favorable weather. And as you can see, some of the fall colors remained for us to enjoy.
Joline's fashionable rain pants, which she insisted on putting on before launching. Was she anticipating a spill?
Scott checking for traffic before moving into the passing lane.
Katie leading the wild pack.
Joline with Nancy, who appears to be in full combat gear. Larry below.
Cypress lined up for review.
Ah, ... lunch.
Nancy, Joline, Martha, and a joyful Miguel.
The motley crew (Larry behind the camera and David already heading downriver).
Katie and the group ready to get back on the river.
Tom and Joline paddling through an S-bend.
Violet Rapid
Susan carefully sets up her line, ...
slips river right of Nancy Rock, ...
looks ready to spit tobacco as she surveys the big rock ahead, ...
displays determination as she brushes up against the big rock, getting a splash of water as she fights the current to get river left of the boulder, ...
... and makes it! Yeow, that's cold.
I won't mention names, but some were not as courageous.
Well, OK, it's Miguel.
Scott also stays river right of Nancy Rock, ...
but then stays to the right of the boulder and its smaller brother, ...
... and makes one of the cleaner runs of the day.
No guts, no glory.
Guts, but no glory!
Nancy gets up close and personal with her namesake landmark.
Nancy overboard!
I get by with a little help from my friends.
More walkers. Well, perhaps discretion is the better part of valor.
Joline takes the preferred (hint: easier) route.
Yessss!
Not to be outdone, Larry takes the more challenging line by staying river left of Nancy Rock, ...
rudders forcefully to get river right of the boulder, ...
... and makes it all look easy.
It was almost as though he were giving a clinic for his scouting group.
Martha and the group prepare to make the short run to the takeout at the Sisterdale crossing.
Just another terrible Texas December day!
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