An Ode to Texas Waterways
Adventures, recollections along iconic Texas rivers
By M. Clare Haefner | Cover photos courtesy of book publishers
From the Rio Grande to the Red River to every muddy, flowing stream in between, Viva Texas Rivers! Adventures, Misadventures, and Glimpses of Nirvana along Our Stories Waterways, edited by Steven L. Davis and Sam L. Pfiester (Texas A&M University Press, February 2022), takes readers on a literary trip down the state’s iconic waterways.
Divided into regions that begin with colorful, pull-out maps, Davis and Pfiester — the literary curator and the chair of the advisory council for the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University — have amassed a collection of poems, quotes, essays and short stories that pay tribute to rivers and tributaries that give life to our great state.
Embarking on a three-day journey down the Brazos, following the path John Graves took before authoring Goodbye to a River, a classic book that raised awareness and changed how many Texans viewed ecology, Davis and Pfiester were inspired to compile an anthology that pays tribute to all the “authors who have brought to life ‘the spirit of place’ for dozens of Texas rivers and streams, highlighting the distinctive qualities that make each waterway special.”
Most familiar with the rivers of Central Texas, I especially enjoyed that section, with Graves’ ”Drifting Down the Brazos,” Margie Crisp’s tribute to “Colorado Bend” and Stephan Harrigan’s dive into “Barton Springs.” Having explored parts of all three rivers, I found kindred spirits in my love of life along the water.
Although I’ve never seen the Rio Grande winding snakelike through Big Bend or canoed down the Sabine River as it ambles through East Texas, I now feel like I have after reading Viva Texas Rivers! It’s easy to understand how so many writers have found inspiration along the banks of the state’s waterways.
One of my favorite stories in the book is Gordon Baxter’s tribute to ”Village Creek.” Adapted from Village Creek: The First and Only Eyewitness Account of the Second Life of Gordon Baxter by Himself (Summit Books | Simon & Schuster, 1979), Baxter transports you to another place and time and made me want to read his entire tale.
“The River That Runs Through Me”— Beatriz Terrazas‘ tribute to the Rio Grande — contains beautiful prose that brought to mind Reyna Grande’s A Ballad of Love and Glory (a fantastic work of historical fiction set amid the Mexican-American War that I highly recommend).
Filled with short stories and essays, Viva Texas Rivers! is easy to pick up and put down whenever you please, much like a journey along a river where you push off and put in along the banks while canoeing whenever you feel the need to stop and explore or take a quick break.
Pick up a copy and see if your favorite stretch of shoreline is included. Even if it’s not, you are sure to find a new appreciation for the state’s beautiful, fragile and essential rivers along with the inspiration to get out and explore these wonderful Texas waterways that tell the story of our past, present and future.
Adventures abound in these books
If you need some inspiration about where to travel, check out The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet). In it’s fourth edition released in November, the Lonely Planet provides stunning photos from across the globe.
With nearly 700 images from 200 countries, you can explore the world from the comfort of your air-conditioned living room. Along with photos, the book is packed with tips, such as the best times to visit each country, things to see and do when you’re there and the little-known facts that have made Lonely Planet’s guides a must-have for travelers for nearly 50 years. If you plan to explore the world, you may also want to check out Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022. This book, released in October, ranks the top 10 must-visit countries, cities and regions. Let the adventure begin!
Laura Coleman wanted to shake up her life. Feeling aimless at age 24, she left home in England for adventure in the South American jungle. Her riveting memoir The Puma Years (Little A, June 2021) shares her transformational journey as she lands at a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of the Amazon. There, Coleman meets Wayra, a giant cat who changes her life.
Coleman’s courage comes across as her humorous recollections of her time in the jungle bring laughter and tears. There’s quirky animals, dedicated volunteers and a machete-wielding prom queen you’ll never forget.
With a backdrop of deforestation, forest fires and the illegal trade of the Amazon‘s magnificent creatures, The Puma Years will open your eyes and alter how you see the world. It may also change how you see yourself.
Ever since I was a child, I’ve wanted to see the world. I voraciously read the back issues of National Geographic my next-door neighbor kept in her basement, dreaming of the amazing adventures I’d take when I was older.
While I haven’t seen as many places as Jessica Nabongo — who is the first Black woman on record to visit all 195 countries in the world — I have made a start, traveling through Italy, France and England, and I have trips to Alaska and Peru planned.
Nabongo’s inspiring new travelogue The Catch Me if You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World (National Geographic, June 2022) shares her adventures around the globe, revealing her 100 favorite places — the best of which are seldom-visited destinations that highlight how diverse and beautiful the planet is. Even if her stops aren’t on your bucket list, you’ll get a fascinating view of the world.
