Drought--pant, pant

The other day Jack, Shoeless Joe and I took a walk

on one of the many trails here where we live.

Shoeless ran around having some fun but waiting for the BIG TREAT--

a chance to swim in the water. This particular trail crosses Berry Creek

and that always meant a cool dip in its depths for this water spaniel.

But not this spring, old buddy. Texas is having severe drought conditions.

Some reports say it is the worst since the historic Dust Bowl of the 1930's.

Here is the overlook down to the riverbed--now a pile of dusty rocks.

And here is another view of the creek.

Not even a hint of moisture.

Bone dry.

This is a favorite spot from the past where a concrete path formed a bridge

over the creek. There was a time when the water was so high that even

the walkway was covered with fast running waters.

But on this day, poor Shoeless looks to us for an explanation but we have none.

And what happens to the fish?

Don't know if you can see the cluster of twigs in the branches above our bike.

Those are remainders of brush that washed up into the trees when

the water level was so high that it flowed over the creek banks.

This day it would be a steep hike down into that same bank to reach the dry rocks below.

And while Texas is conserving and restricting the use of water,

her poor farmers praying for rain...

These amazing waterfalls provide hydro power and then some.

This scene is from right where we used to live in upstate New York.

Named Rainbow Falls because of the beautiful colors the sun lights in the mist that always rises above the galloping waters.

During the cold winters these falls become an ice sculpture with only a hint at

their majesty from a small spot of moving water at the very bottom of the falls.

But each spring, as the ice and snow melts from the AuSable River and the mountains that fed it, the waterfalls roar and declare their power.

Our home stood but a short distance from the river and we could stand on the back porch and feel the ground vibrate from the volume of water pouring or rather exploding over the falls and charging within the curves of the riverbanks.

Perhaps what central Texas needs is a good, old snowstorm

to alleviate some of this awful drought.

I, for one, would not complain one bit!