Saturday Paddlers - San Marcos River

Note: Left click on any photo to enlarge.

On our first weekend after returning from Colorado and the Arkansas River, Kathy and I were looking forward to joining the Saturday Paddlers on a local river. Without much water anywhere else, our destination was the San Marcos River. About twenty paddlers met for the run from Spencer's Campground to the crossing at Staples. The spring fed riverflow was approximately 87 cfs. The fact that we were in a drought was emphasized when, with a loud crack, a large branch from a distressed pecan tree next to the launch site broke free and crashed to the ground.

Michael was ready for a relaxing float down the river.

The water hyacinth were in full bloom.

Michael assists George, who was on his first river outing.

Tommy joined the group for the first time. He survived his close encounter with the remains of a tree.

After our lunch stop, Nancy W. was ready to proceed, ...







... as were three paddlers from Austin who were also with the group for the first time.

A swamp monster suddenly emerged from the river.

Amy in her usual stern mood.














Claire approaches a bend in the river.










Nancy G. paddles along.

Kathy enjoys her recently-acquired Hobie sit-on-top. She discovered (twice) on this trip that this kayak was a lot easier to turn back over after flipping than her sit-inside kayak. It didn't fill up with water! Where is your pfd, Kathy?

Margaret, Gayle, Sandra, and Claire smile for the camera.

Darrell also saluted the photographer, to the amusement of Joline.

Amy glides along in her canoe, which on this day was only the second nicest boat on the river. Yes, I was in my Dagger Sojourn.



A damselfly appears to be hitching a ride (well, maybe just taking a rest) on this large turtle sunning itself near the takeout just upstream from the Staples Dam. We would return to Staples two days later for a Labor Day trip on the next stretch of the San Marcos River.

After loading up our boats, many of us headed to Lockhart. Having eaten at Smitty's Market twice before, we decided to try another of the BBQ restaurants, and ended up at Chisholm Trail Barbeque. The food was good and the prices fairly reasonable.

For 37 additional photos of this trip, including many shots of individual paddlers, click on this link to my Flickr page, then click on "Slideshow" on the upper right of that page.