Disappearing Rio Grande

After almost two weeks of research, rest, relaxation and preparation, we are headed back to El Paso and the Rio Grande.

We had some adventures while we were back home. Erich had the most dramatic. His Toyota 4Runner, aka El Burro, did not do so well after getting its engine rebuilt. He had to make the call that it was too unreliable to take out to West Texas. We are fortunate, however, that David Lozano, who will be joining us for the next several hundred miles, had a truck he was willing to let the expedition use. 

My biggest adventure came from giving a presentation to all the fourth graders at Bob Beard Elementary in Helotes. There are about 150 of them. They had endless questions about what I ate, where and how I went to the bathroom, where was my family, why I was doing this and if I was famous or not. They also wanted a business card, an autograph, high fives and a chance to sit in the kayak. I think at least half of them got what they wanted.

I am in awe of their teachers who were able to keep them all under control. After an hour I was exhausted. Special thanks to Mrs. Lambert, who organized the event, and her class who helped me load and unload the kayak and all the gear.

A few hours after I left the school I got an email from Alan Shaji, one of the students, asking if I remembered coming to his school. Alan, I will never forget your class.

Then he asked me what is happening to the Rio Grande.

I gave him a typical adult answer about how it is complicated and there is less water and more demand. 

But Alan, the true answer is I don’t know. That is why we are headed back. I'll let you know what I learn.

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