A rucker with a backpack full of canned goods on his back pushes his kids during Saturday’s Rucks on Main. The event helps stock local food pantries and raises awareness of veterans who suffer from war-related trauma. Many participants attached a photo to their ruck of a passed veteran who made a difference in their lives. According to Wes Albanese, president of Rucks on Main, 120 people participated in the event and 2,856 pounds of food was donated. David Stone photo

A veteran who was unable to march the six-plus miles during Rucks on Main gets a ride from a buddy in order to participate. The march started at Santa Fe Plaza, went down Avenue B to Main, then north to Nugent. After meandering through the Historic District, the route returned to the plaza where canned and boxed food was removed from the rucks and donated to local food pantries. David Stone photo

Marchers wearing backpacks stuffed with food looked fresh in the early stages of Rucks on Main, but they looked a whole lot wetter a few blocks later. Here’s a group on Main Street approaching City Hall. David Stone photo

Boothcamp held at MES Fitness

A group of Boothcamp vendors gather outside of MES Fitness on Cottingham Drive during Saturday’s event for new businesses. MES stands for Mentoring, Events and Sports. David Stone photo

An employee of Infinite Entertainment — a growing business that provides inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses for events — stands next to a giant inflatable dart board at Saturday’s Boothcamp. David Stone photo

Leon River Paddling Trail concept

This map shows possible launch and take-out locations for a Leon River Paddle Trail. Note: This idea has not been floated by proper authorities — it is a companion for the Opinion column below.

Paddle Trail would bring in ecotourists

ONE MAN’S OPINION | David Stone

Temple and Belton may be nestled next to a tourism gold mine. OK, maybe it’s not gold, but here’s an idea worth exploring.

This past week, a Georgetown consulting firm presented a plan to create a housing and retail development along the Leon River just north of Reuben D. Talasek Bend of the River Park. The 135-acre development plan includes 1,533 residential units, a big-box grocery store, trails and office space.

At first I didn’t really care for the idea of developing land so close to the Leon River, but the proposal does take steps to protect the river and leaves a “green strip” along Leon’s edge.

The more I’ve thought about this, the more I think the plan has a big omission that could be a potential boon to Temple, Belton and Bell County as a whole. Why not take advantage of the Leon itself as a tourist and outdoor recreation attraction? Yes, that’s done upriver at a little place called Belton Lake, but why not below the dam as well?

Texas has 78 official Paddling Trails on rivers, creeks, lakes, bays and bayous from Orange to El Paso. They are extremely popular, and every year they bring in thousands of tourists and tourist dollars. Paddlers use canoes, kayaks and paddle boards to navigate the trails, and many stay the night in local hotels. They also eat and drink at local businesses and buy gas for the trip back home.

The tragic and wildly disruptive COVID-19 pandemic has been a gift to America’s paddlesports industry. While mandates back in 2020 kept people out of gyms, restaurants, theaters and just about everywhere else, the great outdoors was a safe place to be. No need to mask up while paddling down a river, so the activity became a new pleasure for many.

Sales of paddlesport products — kayaks, paddleboards, rafts, canoes and accessories — increased by 56 percent in June 2020 compared to the same period the year before, according to Statista Research. In that month alone, Americans spent $172 million on paddlesport products, and paddling popularity is continuing to grow.

The cost of implementing a Texas Paddling Trail on the Leon River would be minimal — after all, the river is already there. And, perfect launch and take out sites are already in place. My thought — again, this is just me thinking with my fingers on the keyboard — is to put in a launch ramp at Miller Springs, just below Belton Lake Dam. Then, after crossing Texas 317, meandering through West Temple and Belton, brushing past Summer Fun and eventually going under I-35, the take-out would be at either Bend of the River or Beyond the River.

The minimal distance for a Texas Paddling Trail is four miles in length. This would be pretty close. Worse case scenario, the take-out is moved down river toward Temple Lions Park or the trail becomes the first “Bell County” Paddling Trail.

The state option would be best because the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is actively seeking partnerships — and grants — for new paddling trails.

According to a TPWD website, the department will promote the trail as part of the Texas Paddling Trails program, provide a trail map and local interpretive information for use in marketing materials, provide designs and materials for a kiosk at the launch site and provide highway and road signs driving attention to the trail.

While TPWD doesn’t require partners to provide rental services for boats, the trail’s creation would open up a direct economic opportunity. A business that provides rentals of boats and lifejackets, sells drinks and munchables, and shuttles customers from the take-out back to their cars at the launch site, would attract the non-boat-owning public.

The river provides ample natural beauty and interactions with wildlife could be numerous.

Morgan’s Point Resort already has a Paddling Trail in Belton Lake, and having two trails in close proximity would be beneficial to both locations. Paddlers from Houston, Austin, Dallas or Corpus Christi may think twice about driving to Temple for a four-mile adventure, but if they could hit two trails and enjoy a weekend of entertainment in Downtown, events at the Expo Center and dancing at Bo’s Barn…hmmmm. Ka-Ching!

Anyway, this column is just One Man’s Opinion, but this is a tried-and-true idea that merits consideration.

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The Leon River provide a tranquil and natural escape from everyday life. A paddling trail linking Miller Spring with Bend of the River likely would be quite popular. Courtesy photo

Saturday’s best bets 

• Comedy Showcase at Corky’s.  Doors open at 7, show at 8.

• Rucks on Main Memorial Day Weekend March. 9 a.m. Rucks On Main is a non-profit organization that hosts a military-themed ruck march in honor of Veterans, First Responders, and The Fallen twice a year at the Santa Fe Plaza in downtown Temple. This event is open to everyone. Online registration will be $40, and will increase to $60 30-days prior to the event. You can register as an individual, social team, or squad! Everyone will carry up to 40 lbs of non-perishable food items during the ruck march. Squads will compete for most weight carried in their ruck. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals will be awarded to each squad after the ruck march. Everyone who participates in the Ruck March will enjoy free food, an adult beverage, camaraderie, and music after the Ruck March. Ruck day registration starts at 7:30 a.m.

• Name That Tune Bingo: Classic Rock Edition at Fire Base Brewing. $2 per card. 7:30 p.m.

Sunday’s best bets

• Baby Goats and Wine! Join us for Goat Yoga at 11 am and/or Goat Cuddles at 1 pm. Either option you get to hang out with baby goats from Goat Shenanigans and enjoy some delicious wine from 3 Texans Winery and Vineyard. Get your tickets now! https://www.goatshenanigans.com/event-tickets

• Leather & Lacey Downtown Drag at Corky’s. Doors open at 7 p.m., the show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $15 for General Admission and $25 for VIP. Upstairs standing room tickets are $10. Host Lacey brings Natalie Cutrone McCall, Anyzha D. St. James & Devonna KaDavan St. James to help celebrate her birthday. Note: VIP ticketholders get special UP CLOSE reserved seating to participate in a game with the queens at the end of the show AND get an exclusive meet and greet at 7:30 before the show.

• Central Texas Film Society Monthly Movie & Discussion presents Wages of Fear at CAC. 2 p.m. “In a decrepit South American village, four men are hired to transport an urgent nitroglycerine shipment without the equipment that would make it safe.”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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