Note: Photos with me in them graciously provided by Larry.
Seven of the Saturday Paddlers joined the 25th Annual Great Texas River Cleanup. The event, which covers the entire 90-mile length of the San Marcos River and is sponsored by the Texas Rivers Protection Association, is billed as the world's longest river cleanup. We first converged on the "Sights and Sounds" stage, located on the west side of the river at East Hopkins Street, to sign in for the event and receive net garbage bags and free breakfast tacos. Above, Nancy, yours truly, and Susan are enjoying the tacos. In fact, Susan and I made it into the local paper, as seen in the third photo at this link to the San Marcos Daily Record.
Then it was over to City Park for our briefing by Tom Goynes (pictured above). Along with three more paddlers, we were assigned Section 2 of the river, the 3.5 miles from Thompson's Island to Goynes' San Marcos River Retreat (formerly known as Pecan Park Campground).
I don't think I've ever seen Cynthia, Nancy, Susan, and Joline so attentive. Were they actually going to follow instructions?
The high-brow discussion between Tom and Joline had me puzzled.
Most of us launched at the small park where Cape Street crosses the diversion channel and then the river itself. The small arm of the river shown in Larry's photo above led us to the main river channel just before the Cape Street bridge. With the recent rains and replenished springs, the San Marcos River was running at about 270 cfs.
My Dagger Sojourn handled quite well in the swift current.
We stopped for lunch next to the sewage treatment plant, where we dropped off our bags of trash and were provided with lunch and some more bags for the rest of the trip. I supplied the frozen margaritas. Salt is being applied to the rim of the plastic margarita cups in the photo above.
After the margaritas, Joline needed assistance launching her boat.
Larry was busy taking photos as we returned to the river.
Susan, Nancy, and Leslie were happy to be back in their kayaks.
The leaning cypress is named Murray Jones Drinking Tree, according to the sign on the tree.
Cynthia and Joline hard at work.
The water was high at Cummings Dam. Cynthia, Joline, and I prepare our boats for lowering down the concrete buttresses.
How unusual! Nancy and Susan telling us exactly where to go. We all made it down safely, nevertheless.
A lot of water was pouring over the dam as Larry paddled away.
A Common Egret takes flight.
At the River Retreat, we changed into dry clothes and then headed to Shady Grove Campground for the BBQ dinner provided by the sponsors. It was quite a feast.
It looks like Susan and Joline were hungry.
Musical entertainment, in the form of a lone marching bagpiper, was also provided. In our state of fatigue and delirium, we actually enjoyed it.
For an additional 12 photos, click here to link to my Flickr page, then click on "Slideshow."
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