Between the extreme heat in Texas and being out of town, no recent paddling trips for me, but the opportunity for some armchair paddling and reading about more potential places to paddle.
First up, the most recent edition of Texas Monthly magazine. Its feature article is about water, from the recreational perspective, places to be on or in the water. Of course, the Rio Grande is mentioned, and a stretch I have never paddled, downstream of the Lower Canyons, through Temple Canyon. That stretch was chosen because there wasn’t enough water to float a boat through our most frequently paddled stretches; not through the state park, the national park, Boquillas, or lower canyons. Harrumph, if this drought continues, I may have to indulge my desire for Big Bend area paddling on this stretch, sometime.
Our own Armand Bayou is mentioned as a short local trip, my contribution. Other “out and back” (“boomerang”) trips, South Llano and Pecos Rivers are listed, and Caddo Lake gets special mention.
Sitting on the airplane I read my Rails to Trails magazine and was delighted to see several National River Trails featured. More places to explore! Of the 10 highlighted, Bayou Teche in Louisiana is the closest. It has 135 miles to paddle. Georgia hosts the Chattahoochee River Trail for 48 miles, North Carolina has its Smoky Mountain Blueways at 167 miles, and through Illinois and Missouri, the Mississippi River Water Trail, 121miles. To read all about these trails, go to railstotrails.org and scroll down to find “Highlights of our National River Trails system”.
Happy paddling and let’s get out on our local waters soon.
Natalie Wiest
Commodore, Houston Canoe Club