• - VICTORIA ADVOCATE
• Originally published May 1, 2008 at 11:46 p.m., updated May 1, 2008 at 11:46 p.m.

GOLIAD – After six years of planning the dream of John Barnhart, chairman of Canoe Trail Goliad, is coming to fruition. “This year we’ve had some real breakthroughs,”he said.

The 82-year-old rancher and retired lawyer, of Berclair, speaks with eloquence when discussing paddling on the San Antonio River. “You don’t have to spend a dime to create it, just the price of the key, to what natures God has provided. The key is access,”Barnhart said, “…it is probably the most endowed river in the U.S.”

Listed as a Texas Paddling Trail by the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the completion of the six planned ingress and egress sites on the San Antonio River in Goliad County can mean a lot of money for the local economy by way of paddling outfitters, lodging, and eateries and other tourism.

With allies from every local and state group imaginable the CTG lacks only one thing, the estimated $1,032,100 capitol.

Canoe Trail Goliad incorporated earlier this year. The non-profit corporation is in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) which is now pending with the IRS.

Q: Where is the canoe trail?

A: It follows the 6.4-mile Goliad Paddling Trail from U.S. Highway 59 just west of downtown Goliad to Goliad State Park.

Q: What have you all done to date to improve river entry to date?

A: We now have a primitive stairway and way-lay pole to lower canoes and kayaks into the river. The way-lay pole is the most elementary of maritime of mechanical mechanism there’s ever been.

Q: Why is it difficult to access the river by kayak or canoe currently?

A: The SA River is unique in that its whole course originates north of San Antonio through topsoil, by virtue of that geological feature, the current cuts deeper and consequently it has sharp steep muddy banks. It is uniquely isolated and is not convenient for cattle because of those steep banks.

Q: What activities are you planning in the near future?

A: CTG Summer Flotilla 2008 will be held June 7. Put-in time is between 9 and 11 a.m. Paddlers drop off their craft at the Highway 59 landing, then park their vehicle at the Goliad State Park. A free shuttle service returns paddlers to Highway 59 to disembark. A free lunch is provided at the state park when paddlers complete their trip. The trip should take between two to four hours depending on the river conditions and the desire of the paddlers. The Summer Flotilla is now posted on the 2008 National Trails Day event calendar at www.americanhiking.org. Visit our Website at www.canoetrailgoliad.com Last year we had 90 canoes, kayaks, john boats or other human propelled vessels.”

Q: What kind of wildlife would a person expect to see?

A: In one of our flotillas the people saw six deer swimming across our river. In addition there is every other game of the region including wild cats, mountain lions, golden cheek warblers, green jays, roadrunners, and Bob White quail among many others.

Q: Where are the planned access points?

A: In Goliad County on the San Antonio River on publicly owned lands. We have an abandoned street named Ferry Street because historically there was a ferry at the river. It was overgrown with brush and not available. Now that it is accessible, we aspire to have an access point there. Our dreams go beyond that; we aspire to have seating, toilets, staging, a place for music festivals, a Tejano music festival, with electricity.

Q: Is there any opposition to the projected plan?

A: Initial proposals were met with opposition and suspicion by landowners. People paddling through their land, exposing it to poachers, and so forth.

We’ve held public meetings with all ranchers north and south of river. The Texas real-estate institute and lawyer addressed their concern of frivolous lawsuits. Our landowners have been prey of that. Consequently it was important for them to know the risks.

Our landowners have now seen over a six-year period of time that the people attracted are not college kids on spring break. The river doesn’t have white water or crystal clear tubing water.

Q: How are you addressing the trash?

A: This ties in with the support we receive. The SA River Authority has accepted joint tenancy user.

They have staff to maintain theses sites and they have stepped up to that role for which we are indeed grateful.

Christina Burke is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6516 or cburke@vicad.com.

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