Table of Contents

HISTORY: Thuse Donnellan, a Houston Entertainer
by Louis Aulbach

Backwater Backwash Car Shuttle
by Cecilia Gill

First Quarter Pool Fees

Trip Reports

Santa Elena Canyon
by John Rich

Buffalo Bayou Trash Bash
by Donna Grimes

Current River in Missouri
by Paul Woodcock

Hidalgo Falls Festival
by Scott Coultas

Blanco River
by Donna Grimes

Pecos at 400 cfs
by Paul Woodcock

Hill Country Easter Paddle
by Donna Grimes

Blanco River – Where the Floatability is Rain Dependent!
By Donna Grimes

Spring and rains go hand-in-hand, and many Texas rivers are dependent on that rain. Many river runners have the river gauge websites on their “favorites” list and check it almost daily to see what is flowing. I have been waiting for YEARS to paddle the Frio River. There the quick rapids and good drops keep the blood pumping, but alas, my available time and the Frio’s water flow have seldom matched. It’s been almost ten years!

However, the last week in May, the hill country had rain, and many of us packed our gear and headed up there to enjoy the Water Festival on Rio Vista Dam on the San Marcos and then paddle somewhere that Sunday, April 1. The choices were numerous! Barton Creek is Running! Frio has Water!! Medina is UP!! Choices!! YEAH!! But we could only do ONE and since I had never done the Blanco, this was the choice…..for about 22 people! But the group broke into about three different groups - much more manageable.

The Blanco was running about 950 cfs. on the Wimberly gauge. We chose an upper section - above Wimberly with the put in being below the Narrows (I’m not doing that!) but after Fischer Store Road, making the trip about 8 miles.

( several paddlers at the put-in – waiting for the shuttle to return)

The water was beautiful! The typical, crystal clear hill country water one sees on the Nueces, the Frio, or the Medina.

(high water on the upper Blanco River)

Because the water was up, the rapids were challenging, and this white water junky found herself taking many “sneak” routes. That’s what comes from paddling challenging water too seldom – you lose your nerve. But those with more daring ran the tough stuff. However, one kayaker with good skills and good roll, turned over and was washed up against a log which concerned us as we saw him trying to roll against a log. He did come out of his kayak and wash down stream, but it certainly made me aware of the possibility of disaster for even good paddlers.

(the keeper tree that almost did one kayer “in”)

When we got to the take-out, it was interesting to see what happened to a land owner who thought he’d block the takeout from people driving across to his property. He parked his pickup on the bridge. But when the rains came, see where is pickup ended up – high in a tree.

So, I again had a chance to paddle a new Texas river, to meet new paddlers. There were only four HCC members on this trip: Marilyn Peery, Donna grimes, Debbie Snow, and Christy Long, but MANY good paddlers from around the state.

I hope this rainy season lasts and I get to paddle more this year.