Flooded Guadalupe River

We've had an enormous amount of rain the past week and the river is higher than I've seen it in a long time.  I'd say the Guadalupe came up at least 15 feet.  Incredible.  It's so beautiful but also very dangerous.  I've lived in Texas long enough (28 years) to have a healthy respect for the rivers when they begin to rise. 

Late yesterday afternoon there was a brief reprieve from the rain so hubby and I walked down to the river to take a look.  It was beautiful.  I know I've done posts of the river in the past, but the pictures I took yesterday are worth sharing.  I hope you think so too.

(Clicking on any photograph enlarges it, making each one a little more dramatic!)

 The trunk of this oak tree is completely submerged, as is the bank we usually walk down to get to the river.

 

 

 

 Can you see the big log floating by here?

 

The thistle weeds were in gorgeous bloom as we walked around the river banks.  Take a look at some of these beauties...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As Harry and I made our way back to the house, the skies began to darken...

and the rains came once again...

 

But what a beautiful way to spend an hour or so on a 

stormy South Texas afternoon.

Guadalupe River After the Rain

...and rain it did!  In the past 2 1/2 days, we got more than 3 inches of rain here in South Texas.  I, for one, am not complaining one bit.  I think it's wonderful.  Our summers are so hot and dry that I rarely gripe about the rain, especially at this time of year.  After all, it *is* winter and the weather is supposed to be cool and rainy.  And it sure beats snow and ice!

The rain finally let up this afternoon and I decided to take a walk down to the river, camera in hand, to see what the Guadalupe looked it.  I figured it would be up and it sure is.  I haven't seen the river this high in almost a year.  It is beautiful.  On a normal day, this river is clear, low and quiet, although it always runs pretty quickly.  But today I saw a very loud, turbulent and muddy Guadalupe.  I was also reminded of the power of water.  Running water always stirs something deep in my soul.  Maybe that's because I'm an Aquarian :)

Anyway, I thought you might appreciate some photos of the beautiful Guadalupe River.

 

Look at the direction of the trees on the opposite bank in these next couple of photos.  I know it may seem impossible, but the river has gotten that high on occasion, causing the trees to bend in the direction of the river flow.  Pretty amazing, the power of Nature. 

There were even some whitecaps on the Guadalupe...go figure!

As I was walking around, I noticed lots of these, what I call "star weeds".  Of course, I know that is not the correct botanical name for them, but to me, that's what they look like, and I think they are beautiful. 

 

No matter the season or the weather, the Guadalupe River is a beautiful piece of the South Texas hill country.