Traveling the Rio Grande for 70 days with just a raft, a canoe and a bicycle can be a grueling, yet exciting adventure. Keith Bowden, journalist and professor at Laredo Community College, did just that and wrote about it in his first published book, “The Tec ate Journals: Seventy Days on the Rio Grande.”
           
Bowden explored some 1,260 miles of the river, inching his way from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico. In his book, Bowden writes an in-depth description about his journey and his findings as he traveled along the Rio Grande. He describes in detail the beauty of the river as well as the issues and problems facing the Mexican/American border.
           
“My goal for writing this book is to raise awareness about what an important resource the river is. It is not mainly a dividing line between two countries — it’s a beautiful river and there is no place like it,” said Bowden.
           
Bowden says he was inspired to take this rigorous journey because for several years he had always visited the same parts of the river and regretted never being able to explore the whole river.
           
Encountering everything from wildlife to drug trafficking, Bowden touches on several layers of issues that face both sides of the border.

“We need to be educated about the border,” said Yvette Benavides, associate professor of English. “Bowden’s book has so many dimensions to it such as the people, the history, the adventure and the controversial issues about the border.”
           
Bowden says that one of the biggest issues facing the border is the possibility of putting up a fence. “The fence would have an environmental impact and would block access to the river,” said Bowden.
           
Fluent in Spanish, Bowden discovered that the most interesting thing about his adventure was the people. “The Mexican people were warm, helpful and funny. Their sense of humor was quite a surprise.”
           
He also added that the best part of his experience on the river was “the not knowing what would happen around each bend. Every bend held a new surprise.”

Students can hear firsthand about Keith Bowden’s adventurous tale at a book reading and presentation sponsored by the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research (CMASR).

The event will be held Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Providence West Social Room. Bowden’s book will be available for students to purchase and a book signing will follow the presentation.