First night on the river

The first night is the toughest. The river below Luling is tight, winding, and full of hazards. It's the first test of the crucial lighting configuration. And the bugs...
The low water bridge at Palmetto State Park was mostly covered by fast water and was of extra concern. I watched one racer from another team get swept under the bridge and shot downstream in a matter of seconds. Fortunately our guys negotiated it well and set off for the first significant log jams.
They'll have to tell the harrowing stories, but swampy, muddy, and steep were all common descriptors.
There was the brief entertainment portion of the evening with Thriller and fireworks from an old bridge.
By the time they reached the 90A Bridge by Gonzales they were spent so they grabbed some ZZZ on the bank and I went on to the dam to meet them.
We all slept a little but not well. They paddled in to Gonzales by 0745 for hot coffee, tacos and Stevie Ray Vaughan, got provisions for the longest leg of the race, quick interview with the Yeti folks and back underway. I won't see them again for nine hours.
All in all a successful night. The second night they will be too sore to stop and will struggle along through the darkness.
It's pretty much a mental race now...

Captain's quarters

Smile for the camera

Next stop forty miles...