*Discretion, Valor, and pretty scenery anyway

Last week I almost went paddling on one of our uncharacteristically flowing hill country rivers. But it was flowing a little too much for chicken me.

However, Henry and a couple of friends had more valor than discretion, and they had a great trip. (You can read about it here.)

at least he had the discretion to wear a helmet!

Our friend Joline and I opted for more discretion (plus a comfortable lunch in Bandera) and just met the boys—of course they were all boys—at the takeout point. (See Joline relaxing at this flooded low water crossing in last Wednesday's Wordless post.)

So we got to see some of the spectacular Medina River scenery without risking life and limb.

Since I had come to the party decked out in paddling gear, I had no trouble hiking a little and wading a little upstream, getting to see close-up and personal that as high as the water was this day, it had been higher recently!

note the bent-over trees

debris along the riverside

But it was quite lovely and I'm so glad Joline had the idea to come and meet the guys instead of just heading home. We didn't even have long to wait.

My trek upstream offered all kinds of photo-opp material...

rock and cliffs

close-up of scenic cliffs...with desert varnish and without

rocks usually well up on shore

There was enough water that there were even little side channels and ponds...just enough to make way-finding not completely trivial—which of course is fun!

Safe, fun, and scenic...I'll take that for a Saturday any time.

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*From one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, Henry IV, Part 1, Falstaff's accurate quotation is: "The better part of valor is discretion." Not that Falstaff should normally be a role model, but this is good advice!