Texas Billy Bath's

ANNUAL TEXAS BILLY BATH

Texas has a rich history with many traditions passed down through the generations. Texas also has a rich reputation with Yankees, also passed down through the generations. Much of Texas myth and lore seems to be of the Tall Tale sort. And much of the reputation of Texas, as perceived by Yankees, is equally Tall Tale. As in, despite the prejudices of Texas Bashing Northerners, Texas is not a land of red-necked bigoted backwoods hicks. Some Texans, particularly some among the older generation, like to tell Tall Tales of various sorts, particularly to Yankees. On the day before Mother's Day 2001 the Eyes on Texas were in the north Hill Country of Texas. Every river seen that day had bathers in it. Upon asking a grizzled native 'why?' said native explained that in the old days, after a long winter, when the water was warmed by the spring sun, people would spend the day in the river, taking their first bath of the new year. Apparently the Eyes on Texas happened upon a bumper crop of this activity taking place....an activity called taking a Billy Bath. For Hillbilly? Who knows? It has not been decided, yet, if Billy Bath's are an example of Texas Tacky.

click a thumbnail to view a photo

To preserve the privacy of the Billy Bathers Eyes on Texas won't divulge the specific location of each bathing venue.

Without specifically identifying the rivers in each photo it can be said that the bodies of water in these photos are either the Paluxy, the Brazos or the Pedernales Rivers.

Some Billy Bathers spectate. Others get wet.

The rapids here seem to provide some good cleaning action.

The Billy Bather here appears to be wringing out his laundry.

Many people did their Billy Bathing fully clothed. No explanation was found for this.

You can see here that the water is very clear. Since all the Billy Bathers in this photo have their faces turned away from the camera it can be divulged that this Billy Bathing site is on the Paluxy River in Dinosaur Valley.

Billy Bathing seems to be a family affair. Very crowded in places. The areas of whitewater rapids being the most popular.

Hope you enjoyed your Texas Billy Bath

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