Goofing Off At The River
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Hello again from Northwest Arkansas and the Buffalo National River. It sure has been a hot week. The daytime temperature has hovered around 90, with an evening low around 70. These are the dog days of summer, and I normally spend a good deal of time swimming in the river, and creeks that make up the Park.
This past week I was down at one of my favorite swimming holes where I happened to see a family enjoying the river. It was a lot of fun to watch this family play in the river. The kids certainly looked like they were having a hoot, laughing and splashing each other, and their parents. They had brought some floaties with them and the kids paddled around in the pool, enjoying the sunshine. |
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The dad got in the water and played around with his kids. First he swam up on them, and eyed up their floatie, then he attacked them, like a big river monster. They battled back bravely, finally driving dad back onto the beach. Kinda reminded me of my youth and my dad.
The local boys also came down for a swim a bit later in the afternoon. Many of these I have known since they were just little folk, so it was fun to see them again. They have all gotten bigger! They ran down the hill, into the water, and disappeared around the bend. We heard lots of laughing, shouting, and splashing. Sure sounded like they had a great time. We spent the better part of the afternoon and early evening at this swimming hole. I got lots of sun, in fact I got too much sun and got sunburned. Don't forget some sunscreen if you plan on being out in the sun all day. About a hour before sunset, the family packed up and went home. A little later, the local boys decided it was time to head on home, and they all ran up the hill, and walked home. I think it is pretty cool, when you can send your kids down to the river for an afternoon of fun, and trust that they will be safe from foul play. That is one of the nice things about this area of the Ozarks!
Alf Carter and I went over to Round Top Mountain on Sunday. We found some rocks on the loop trail at the South Gap end. They looked like fun to climb on so Alf, the resident rock hound, made his way up to a flat spot about 30 feet above the ground. He said we just had to come back in the winter, when the trees had lost their leaves. He wants to get a good look at the rock.
The local boys also came down for a swim a bit later in the afternoon. Many of these I have known since they were just little folk, so it was fun to see them again. They have all gotten bigger! They ran down the hill, into the water, and disappeared around the bend. We heard lots of laughing, shouting, and splashing. Sure sounded like they had a great time. We spent the better part of the afternoon and early evening at this swimming hole. I got lots of sun, in fact I got too much sun and got sunburned. Don't forget some sunscreen if you plan on being out in the sun all day. About a hour before sunset, the family packed up and went home. A little later, the local boys decided it was time to head on home, and they all ran up the hill, and walked home. I think it is pretty cool, when you can send your kids down to the river for an afternoon of fun, and trust that they will be safe from foul play. That is one of the nice things about this area of the Ozarks!
Alf Carter and I went over to Round Top Mountain on Sunday. We found some rocks on the loop trail at the South Gap end. They looked like fun to climb on so Alf, the resident rock hound, made his way up to a flat spot about 30 feet above the ground. He said we just had to come back in the winter, when the trees had lost their leaves. He wants to get a good look at the rock.