Medina River Cleanup

Seven Saturday Paddlers participated in the Fifteenth Annual Medina River Cleanup on May 2.  It was our sixth consecutive year to join in the fun.  As usual, we were in charge of Section 4, a 3-mile stretch of the river running from Moffett Park in the town of Medina to the low water bridge at Chenaults Lane.  With the river running at 24 cfs, as compared to 7 cfs the prior year, there was enough water to keep us in our boats for most of the journey.

Gary, Al, Henry, Terry, Larry, and Bob pose for a photo at the put-in.  Malcolm had already launched his kayak and was busy picking up trash at the Patterson Road low water bridge.

Bob's paddle makes a run for it as Bob discovers that the small falls and tight turns the river makes near the start of the trip make maneuvering difficult in a 15-foot canoe.

Larry prepares to line the even longer canoe he shared with Al over the next small falls.

Larry and Al back in their canoe after ramming an obstruction inconveniently located in the middle of a tight turn.

The Medina River shows off its beauty as we enter the home stretch.

With the trash we picked up loaded into the bottom of Larry's trailer, Bob, Larry, Malcolm, Terry, and Al celebrate at the takeout at Chenaults Lane.  We were ready to head back to Bandera City Park to enjoy the delicious BBQ dinner (and adult beverages) provided by the organizers of the cleanup.

Note:  To view all eleven photos from this outing, click here to be transported to my Flickr page.  Then click on any of the photos to activate a slide show.