Nature

Hill Country River Magic

By  | 
Tony Maples Photography

 

It is a Sunday afternoon in late March in the Texas Hill Country. Overhead, turkey vultures soar effortlessly against a deep blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds moving on a south breeze. The 80-degree temperature comes with low humidity, the flies and mosquitoes haven’t been hatched yet; this is a perfect day in the Hill Country, and there is no one else to be seen in this paradise.  This is the Frio.

Have you been here?

Frio River Magic

Photo: Robert C Deming

Soon this river will carry children and adults in tubes and kayaks, but today it flows free of passengers.

Bald cypress trees and their complex roots line the banks.

Frio River Magic

Photo: Robert C Deming

This river alternates between deep pools and long shallow stretches, but the water is always clear and cool.

A tuber’s eye view.

FRio River Magic

Photo: Robert C Deming

On the weekend of the 4th of July this place will be hopping, but today it is serene and spectacular.

The end of a float is in sight.

Frio River Magic

Photo: Robert C Deming

The end of a float means back to the camp, maybe you will be grilling hamburgers, and perhaps you’re at the state park where you had your first dance and the kids will learn the Garner Two-Step. This is the magic of the Frio.

Frio River Rapid

Frio River Magic

Photo: Robert C Deming