The John Graves Scenic Riverway
![Brazos Dam 1570.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/xcountytravelers/OskLXMZL-Brazos20Dam201570.jpg)
Looking downriver from Possum Kingdom Dam
I have always been fascinated by rivers. They provide life-sustaining water, they shape the development of civilizations, they provide transportation, and they create obstacles to travel. The history of the settlement and expansion of European civilization in the Americas is inextricably bound up with rivers, nowhere more so than Texas.
![DSC00114.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/xcountytravelers/8lEuAY4d-DSC00114.jpg)
The Brazos River near Brazos Point
On a more personal level, they make great subjects for photography. As Ren and I travel, I always look for chances to take pictures of rivers and learn how they shaped the local history.
![Brazos Dam 800x535.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/xcountytravelers/K54wfqiK-Brazos20Dam20800x535.jpg)
Possum Kingdom Bridge by Moonlight
Traveling in North Texas we often encounter the Brazos River. Originally named by Spanish explorers, the Rio de los Brazos de Dios (which means "The River of the Arms of God"), The Brazos flows 1,280 miles from it's source in New Mexico to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico.
As you might imagine there is a lot of history along this river. In the late 1950s, it was proposed to build a series of up to thirteen dams on the river, for flood control. Author John Graves grew up along this river and learned it's stories as a child. He decided to take a trip down the river, to say goodbye, before its character was changed forever by these dams.
![Brazos Dam 1564.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/xcountytravelers/5Sg0Yq4x-Brazos20Dam201564.jpg)
Breathtaking view of the bridge from the lookout point.
In November 1957, with a few supplies, and a dog named Passenger, John Graves set off on his three-week adventure. At this time there were already two dams on the Brazos, Possum Kingdom Lake to the North, and Lake Whitney further South. He put in just below the dam at Possum Kingdom, and worked his way down to just above Lake Whitney, camping along the shore and on sandbars.
![Brazos Dam 1676 copy.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/xcountytravelers/uyDqU0aG-Brazos20Dam20167620copy.jpg)
Possum Kingdom Bridge built in 1942 by the WPA. The longest masonry arch bridge in Texas
He chronicles this adventure, and shares the stories he learned in childhood, in his book 'Goodbye To A River'. The book is part conservationism and part history, and beautifully written. In the end, only one additional lake was created on the Brazos, Lake Granbury just south of Fort Worth. Many credit the success of Goodbye To A River for ending the plan to build thirteen dams.
The section of the Brazos from Possum Kingdom Dam through Palo Pinto and Parker counties has been designated by the State of Texas as The John Graves Scenic Riverway.
![Brazos Dam 1518.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/xcountytravelers/CVJB2fTt-Brazos20Dam201518.jpg)
If you are interested in getting a copy of Goodbye To A River, please use the link below. You will pay the same price, and Ren and I will receive a small commission from Amazon on this or anything else you purchase from that link.
One last photo, just because I really liked that bridge.
![Brazos Dam 1783.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/xcountytravelers/9F7VAf1k-Brazos20Dam201783.jpg)
Safe travels,
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I never thought about rivers this way, but yeah, they were a source of basically everything. Lots of ancient civilization settled down next to the rivers. Very interesting, you should visit Amazon Region in Sout America, you'd delighted :)
We would love to go there some day. Scott just loves rivers.
Ren
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@xcountytravelers I've been to Texas when I was a child but I haven't been to this Possum Kingdom bridge! Looks really scenic, especially the one by moonlight ((:
Will check out the book when I have the time, too! (:
With love from a fellow #steemitbloggers
We didn't know it was there until we started looking for places to visit other than state parks and such. When we saw the name of the scenic river, we knew we had to go see. It is an amazing bridge for sure.
Thank you for visiting.
Re n
Stunning pictures y'all!! And a little history lesson too!! Love this!! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks. We just love sharing the things we know.
Howdy xcountytravelers! oh guys, this is a gorgeous post and very informative and educational as well, wonderful job! Oh, the photos are perfect too, that is one beautiful bridge!
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Thanks so much!
Scott! The amazing things you share when I have gone to bed! I really loved this place. The fact that we read the man's book and then find out there is a bridge dedicated to him just blew my mind. Gosh, there are times I miss Texas so much.
Love you so much!
Ren
Hiya, just swinging by to let you know that this post made the Honorable Mentions list in our daily Travel Digest, curated by @itchyfeetdonica. Please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider upvoting the Travel Digest if you like what we're doing.
Well thank you so much! We will be taking a look. Thanks.
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