rivers

The session ended June 1, and I took a 4-day weekend this past weekend. Visited a friend in San Antonio for a couple of days, checking out the new extension of the Riverwalk (go check it out--not as crowded as downtown), the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Texas Folklife Festival.

Then we went out to the countryside to connect with green vistas and clear waters and clean air. First stop, Guadalupe State Park in Boerne. My first time there. The river is low and slow, but wonderful for lazy floating.

I spent a long time in my float watching the ripples of light bouncing off the water onto the underside of a large driftwood branch arching out of the river. It was so alive! I felt the presence of spirit very strongly.

Realization: Dead things are really not dead, they are alive because they still exist.

We traveled on to our cabin near Vanderpool, which was comfortable and came with a hammock and a skinny hungry mama cat and three kittens. We drove into Leakey for cat food and saw the most gorgeous sunset on the way back, with large wide rays (God's fingers) against the sharp edge of the hills.

I don't know for sure, but it seems like the biggest hills in the Hill Country might be right out there in Real County. So many "Steep Grade Sharp Curve signs, it reminded us of the road to Hana on Maui. Breathtaking views, too.

We drove a scenic route from Leakey to Camp Wood, followed the Nueces north and the Frio south. Not much water access but spectacular views--and most unexpectedly, we saw a pasture full of kangaroos! They were curious but didn't come too close. Even saw a large "baby" in its mother's pouch!

We also saw buffalo and several types of exotic herd animals.

Then on to Garner State Park and the Frio. South of the dam, it's deep. I got a good snorkel/swim in, really working my arms and shoulders and feeling it, AND not being sore afterwards (must be the yoga).

Lovely brilliant green cypress trees and buff limestone rocks at both rivers.

The trip was fun, refreshing, inspiring, and a great way to spend the time. I'm already thinking, "How can I do more river swimming and floating this summer, and avoid the noisy drunken crowds?"