Saturday Paddlers - Guadalupe River

Note: Left click on any photo to enlarge.

Thirteen proved to be a lucky number, as that many paddlers were rewarded with a beautiful Easter Saturday on the Guadalupe River. The Comfort gauge indicated a flow of 200 cfs for our trip from Kiehler Park to the Zoeller Lane crossing, a distance of about 6.2 miles.

Claire's sunny disposition matched the weather.

Larry also seemed pleased with our good fortune.

I was finally able to catch a good shot of David.

We stopped at our usual lunch spot next to a small but noisy rapid. Despite the lack of margaritas, no one complained.

David took off a little early, as usual.

Claire and Nancy enjoyed a refreshing swim. The rest of us weren't quite so brave.

Kathy and Stan prepare to launch after lunch.

Margaret and Reiko gather their belongings.

Disdaining the usual route on river left, Claire and Miguel try the center passage, available now because of the higher water.

Was it the wind or the gel?

Alexandra takes the river left route.

Reiko and Margaret followed suit.

As did Nancy.

Courageous Kathy ventured through the middle.

Gayle and Darrell also chose the center route.

Did I mention that it was sunny?

Left-side Larry.






















Miguel and Kathy in the slow stretch after the Waring crossing.

The river narrowed again, making for some fun riffles.

Springs were still flowing from this year's rains. A welcome change from the last two years.

Limestone ledges near the end of our journey.

We came across this field of verbena on the Waring-Welfare Road, just before the Little Joshua Creek crossing.

Seven of us met at Popo's Restaurant to replenish our stores. David and Nancy kept us entertained with their lively discussion of politics and religion. The rest of us, being less brave, concentrated on our hearty (but definitely not heart-healthy) meals and the plates hanging on every wall.

Note: For an additional 51 photos of this journey, click here and then select "Slideshow."