2023 was the first time any of us had seen the Guadalupe River dry. We had never known what color the rocks were at the bottom of the river. As it turns out, they were white limestone rocks. I hadnt anticipated that with all the red clay surrounding the river. No matter the frequency of rain in 2024, it always seems like we need more. Seeing the river dry, one became painfully aware of the devastation drought could visit upon ecosystems and communities. Mature trees died. Wells went dry. Horses had no place to cool off after the down home country parade. Children had no place to fish after school. The turtles packed up and went elsewhere. No matter where the clouds come from or how long they stay, my feeling is that we are all praying for them to stay the longest and dump the most…for those images of sun bleached limestone rocks at the bottom of the riverbed will stay in our memories forever.
