the swimming hole

In Vermont, we are blessed with many exceptional swimming holes. Natural basins of sparkling water carved out among our swift rivers and streams along any mountainside. We have more than a few in this tiny township. Today was an optimal day at one of the local favorites. A five foot jump off a massive granite rock will drop you into a six foot pool of ice cold water. It gets your full attention when you drop into it. I save jumping in for last, before its time to leave. I spend my hour floating in an inner-tube watching people engage this awesome place in nature. The locals are uninhibited and thoroughly red-neck. Swimming in all matter of clothing. The tourists who venture into our backwoods domain are more than cautious, even a hazard to themselves. Its great sport to watch them wrestle with the notion of jumping from the great rock or ease in from the sand bar. Its a perfect psych test. Engaged couples should visit for a prenuptuial test of the risk taking sort. You learn alot about a person if they will jump or how they will jump or why they won't. It's great drama to watch couples and families cope with the dilemma. They have some thing to prove and often having fun is lost in the conflict. They are cheered on by the locals who genuinely wish to see them take the leap. But urban reasoning often overpowers their alter ego and they must abandon their dream of conquering the country swimming hole. Mountain Dew commercials make it look so easy, these city mice make it look so awkward. Its all fun. Safe enough and fair enough, those are the blurry boundaries of life. What's stopping you from being happy? . . . move your feet
luv and peace ~ el