Tyler Mayforth

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Tag: Texas

June Means Teamwork, Texas Water Safari

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On June 14, 2015

In Texas Water Safari

June in San Marcos, Texas means two things: oppressive heat and the Texas Water Safari. I found out both of these things quickly at the start of my lengthy Texan stint.

When temperatures soar past the 100-degree mark, locals take to the San Marcos River to float and hang out or they stay inside in the comfort of air conditioning. As a Yankee, the first option appealed to me at first, but the second grew on me.

Come to think of it: Is there a better way to enjoy the river than to paddle 260 miles on it from San Marcos to Seadrift during “The World’s Toughest Canoe Race?” Well, probably — but there are hundreds of paddlers each year who accept the challenge.

Back in 2013, I was one of those folks testing their will against the unforgiving river. As part of the British reality TV show “Go Hard or Go Home,” my team (consisting of a 22-year-old female bartender from England and I) had to make it 85 miles from San Marcos to Gonzales in two days. We made it 33 before they pulled the cord.

Teamwork means everything in the Texas Water Safari and suffice to say, Emma and I didn’t have what it took. To be fair, we only started paddling together two days earlier and after flipping the canoe three times that day, I knew it would be an incredible feat to complete the challenge. Needless to say, I gave it everything I had.

Even before I jumped in the canoe with Emma, I knew teamwork was a cornerstone of the Texas Water Safari. Not only does that go for the people in the canoes, but all of the auxiliary team captains, support staff — plus journalists covering the event.

Every June I put a lot of effort into making our Texas Water Safari top-notch. From previews to features to everything in between, no one was going to do it better.

The last Safari I covered was probably my best because of the resources I had. Not only did I always have my trusted freelance photographer Gerald Castillo on the hunt, I hired Joe Vozzelli a few months earlier and like myself, he has a strong work ethic. We canvassed Friday’s check-in for features, staked out incredible vantage points for pictures on Saturday, then turned out what I’d say was a stellar section.

Take a look at that section and tell me you wouldn’t want to read everything in it.

I’m a bit crestfallen I don’t get to cover it this year, but 6 years of memories endure.

Flash Floods and Severe Weather, Oh My!

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On May 25, 2015

In Georgia

Less than one month after I moved to Georgia, I shot out of bed early in the morning to the sound of a siren. It honestly seemed like it was right outside of my window.

When I first heard it, I couldn’t put a finger on what it meant. I opened my blinds and scoured the outside trying to find what kind of person would try to pull a prank that hour of the morning. You can probably tell I don’t think too straight when I wake up.

Once I checked my phone and turned on the TV, I realized it was a tornado siren — not a practical joker. Tornadoes had touched down around the Atlanta area and the forecasters predicted the weather system would head to the Classic City next.

I never heard a tornado siren in the six-plus years I lived in San Marcos, Texas.

Needless to say, I was scared out of my mind and called home. Yes, there was 29-year-old me frantically pacing around my apartment with my mom on the line.

Long story short, nothing happened. The cell passed right by Athens.

Come to think of it, I never experienced any severe weather while living in the Lone Star State. An inch of ice on the ground is treacherous, but nothing more extreme.

Old-timers in San Marcos always brought up “The 100-Year Flood” as to the worst disaster to hit the city. Being situated between two rivers — the San Marcos and the Blanco — I had no doubt in my mind that it could be horrible if the rains came down.

Well, they finally did over the weekend and the aftermath is/was devastating.

Thousands of residents in San Marcos and Wimberley were displaced and hundreds of homes washed away in the flash floods. Power is slowly being restored daily.

The apartment complex where I used to live in San Marcos flooded. It was situated less than 2,000 feet from the Blanco River, which crested at 41.5 feet on Sunday.

My heart and thoughts go out to my former co-workers, friends and others affected by this past weekend’s floods. Pictures probably do no justice to what transpired.

Hi, Athens. It’s Been 10 Months

By

On May 23, 2015

In Georgia, Life Stuff

Dear Athens,

How are you, my dear?

It’s been about 10 months since we got serious and started our relationship.

Time flies. I know.

Who could have imagined a long-distance, online courtship that started back in April of 2014 would turn into what it is today?

There was something different about you when I sent that first message. Yeah, I’ll admit it was a little bit cocky — but it caught your eye.

To be honest, you were my “What if?”

When I was much younger, another “What if” came into my life. So did a sure thing.

I’m ashamed to admit I took a run at the sure thing. It didn’t work out.

So when I saw you, I leapt at the opportunity. “What if,” became “What is.”

I don’t know if you see it, but there is a lot of admiration out there for you. Some might even call it “love.” After all, “Athens, I Love You” is the phrase of choice and even beget a Snapchat geocentric overlay the kids use these days.

One thing I noticed is that the people who use those aforementioned four words have been committed to you a long time. They might be lifelong residents, transplants or most likely students of the University of Georgia (woof-woof, etc).

I’m trying to feel that emotion for you. I am.

It took me a while to even think about uttering those words to San Marcos. I know I shouldn’t talk about past relationships in front of you, but it must be done.

I wasn’t planning on staying with San Marcos as long as I did. Two years max, I said.

But the longer you stay in a relationship, the more you grow — and learn.

I finally fell for “San Marvelous” one month after contacting you.

There was just something about the way she pulled together around her softball team and in turn, my coverage and in turn, me. I poured my heart into that month. As the kids say these days, “I felt some type of way.”

That’s probably why I cried when I put her in my rearview mirror one month later. I never shed a single tear over a previous relationship ending, but seven years — plus a lot of long nights, sweat and everything else — finally caught up to me.

Athens, I’m excited about what the future holds in store for us.

I’m learning to like you more and more every day.

Hopefully it turns into love.

Yours for now,

Tyler

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