Many millions of years ago, during the late Cretaceous period, Texas was host to an inland sea. It is here in the Texas Hill Country in Hays county that a coral reef teeming with thriving marine sea life once flourished.

Over time the coral reef was covered by limestone and rock and had it not been for the Blanco River’s timeless carving into this limestone rock this ancient reef would never have been exposed.  Now frozen in time, in this spectacular canyon, the limestone fossilized coral reef can be seen. It is known as The Narrows and it forms a path of stone cut deep into the Texas Hill Country landscape.Deep pools and tunnels filled with crystal clear water invites the curious visitor for refreshing swim on a hot sunny day.Maidenhair ferns cling to the cracks in the limestone where waters from subsurface aquifers seep into the river.Fossils of more than 29 types have been found here.Coral remnants in limestone wall.

Surrounding the area is a natural landscape untouched by human development. Here nature here does what it wills.Thankfully this beautiful land has been preserved and protected and it is now closed to the public.I am grateful for the opportunity to witness this unique place which came my way as part of the Capital Area Master naturalist program. It organized a visit for all members to view this historic piece of Texas Hill Country heaven along with a visiting geologist to help us decipher the mysteries that time has left behind. What a gem.