Memories of the Guadalupe River
One of my favorite memories of the Guadalupe River comes from the early ’70s, when I piloted a four-man sled thundering down a metal track toward the river slinking past us. Executed properly, we would bounce once or twice, then slide halfway to the other side like a flat stone across the slick surface, settling so softly we’d scarcely get our hair wet.
The problem was we hadn’t calculated for the fact the sled was intended for only one passenger. Two, if no one’s watching. Not a crew of four intent on elevating the entertainment value of the annual family reunion.
Best I can report of our mission is it was a short swim back to the bank.
Experiencing the Guadalupe River
Over the decades, in various forums, I have canoed, tubed and floated the crystal waters of the Guadalupe. Anticipated its cool embrace. Tumbled through its rapids. Marveled at its beauty.
Reveled in the memories.
The Impact of the Guadalupe River
The frame of reference makes the images and stories from the Hill Country all the more painful to bear, as if that were possible. Like the campers and thousands of others, we returned every year because the river was the source of some of our happiest times.
That a reservoir of such joy could inflict so much death on innocents is not a small part of the horror we’re left to reconcile.
Rivers and Their Appeal
Rivers have always exerted a greater pull on me than nature’s other wonders. Mountains are too high; oceans, too vast. Rivers, on the other hand, are accessible, manageable, personal. They’ll take you for a ride if you let them. Just as Mark Twain did on the Mississippi in Huckleberry Finn and John Graves on the Brazos in Goodbye to a River. The appeal was instinctive. An English teacher once tried to coax from a room full of Luddites the metaphor of the Mississippi in Twain’s telling. All I could think was it felt like freedom.
Up the Guadalupe a quarter-mile from the towering slide at Mo-Ranch we’d tentatively negotiate ankle-deep water slithering over bedrock. There we’d soak in hollowed-out pools until working up enough nerve to slide and slam through a torture chamber of boulder and water until we came out the other side. Tubes apparently weren’t an option in those days.
Floods and the Guadalupe River
I thought of that scene recently while watching a video of a similar section of the river. In one, sunbathers are lazing in a few inches of water; in the next, all you can see is a brown, foaming, angry current.
Floods have ripped through Central Texas for centuries, animating dry creek beds and wreaking havoc in minutes. Hydrologists say there have been 30 floods of at least 20 feet in Kerrville, Hunt and Comfort since 1966, earning the area the nickname of “Flash Flood Alley.” Even if we’d known this, it would have been no deterrent. We couldn’t wait to go. The last few minutes of the drive over low-water bridges and through the cypress, cedar and oak were excruciating for a kid from Houston anticipating unrivaled delight.
Personal Experiences with Death and Loss
In nearly a half-century covering sports, I’ve written about death often. Talked to a mother and father in their son’s bedroom after he died in a high school basketball game. Explained to a set of parents what a coroner ruled in the death of their son in a Golden Gloves boxing match. Walked among the memorials in Uvalde after yet another school shooting.
But of all the stories of loss in my lifetime, nothing is as haunting as tales of little girls lost in the dark at a place they’d loved.
Passing on the Love for the Guadalupe River
Over the years, as my mother’s family died off, the Bragg family reunion dwindled to a few stragglers. Finally, it was just me and my brothers. I’d take my four kids down to the river, where I’d lug the heavy wooden sled halfway up the track for the little ones’ short trip. The greater their confidence grew, the higher we climbed until we finally reached the top. One by one — no team sledding allowed — I let them go. The roar of their ride sounded just like it did 40 years earlier.
Like generations of Texans before them, my children and others learned to love the Guadalupe. We’re learning even now. Once the recovery efforts are over, steps should be taken to make sure such a tragedy never happens again. Hopefully, we’ll heed what we should have known all along. The river is a beautiful, wild, ungovernable thing, its pleasant personality otherwise not to be taken for granted.
The Tragedy of the Guadalupe River Floods
More than 120 people who loved and lived by the rivers of Central Texas paid a price too high this month. God bless the efforts of those charged with bringing them home. Nothing is as heartbreaking as two sisters found hand-in-hand. You cannot read their story and dozens of others like it and not be changed. The river that brought so much joy took more than two dozen girls with it. A piece of all of us went with them.
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Conclusion
The Guadalupe River has left an indelible mark on the lives of many, including my own. From the thrill of sliding down its slopes to the tragedy of its floods, the river has taught us valuable lessons about the power of nature and the importance of respecting it. As we move forward, it is essential that we remember the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives in the floods and work towards preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Guadalupe River?
A: The Guadalupe River is a river located in Central Texas, known for its crystal-clear waters, scenic beauty, and recreational activities such as canoeing, tubing, and floating.
Q: What happened during the floods in the Guadalupe River?
A: The floods in the Guadalupe River resulted in the loss of over 120 lives, with many more affected by the tragedy. The floods were caused by heavy rainfall, which led to a rapid rise in the river’s water level, catching many people off guard.
Q: How can we prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future?
A: To prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future, it is essential that we take steps to respect the power of nature and the river. This includes being aware of weather conditions, following safety guidelines, and taking necessary precautions when engaging in recreational activities near the river.
Q: What is the significance of the Guadalupe River to the author?
A: The Guadalupe River holds a special significance to the author, who has many fond memories of visiting the river with their family and friends. The river has also taught the author valuable lessons about the power of nature and the importance of respecting it.
