Friday's Tattler

We had the adventure of a lifetime on Friday. It didn't start out that way. It was a regular trip to Garden of the Gods, and then we would spend the afternoon at Pounds Hollow Lake. We started off early, about 9:00 and drove right up in the mountains in Illinois. No mountain lions today, although I've seen one before on another trip. It was getting hot, and I was concerned it would be miserable in the park. We arrived with little trouble and toured the great sights at this truly memorable place.

Leigh took the big kids and disappeared down the trails while the little kids got to go out on the rocks only if they were holding an adult's hand. It took about an hour for all the kids to get to see everything. Safety takes time. It's our new slogan. The view is of seven states. Garden of the Gods is what is left from a vast sea, so you look down into the sea. It's quite a place. The rock formations are breathtaking, and that's why we do this every year. It's in our area; it belongs to us, and the children should be familiar with it.

At the end of a very thirsty trail, Mr. Casey, Alexis's dad, pumped the old drinking fountain with pump handle while all the kids got at least one long cool drink. Then we boarded the bus for a short drive to Pounds Hollow Lake and beach. It was closed. It was closed because of the ice storm last winter. We couldn't even get close. So back in the bus and off we went to ask at the nearest civilization, and that's taking the word lightly, about another swimming lake.

Well the store owner, where we stopped, told us about a swimming hole just up the road. After hearing the directions we headed out. The kids were desperate to cool off. We had ice water on the bus, and drove 20 miles down a dusty dirt road until we came to another "National Park." We ate a short lunch - too hot for much- and Mr. Todd and Mr. Casey volunteered to take the children down to the swimming hole.

Well down to the swimming hole is a matter of semantics. We walked through primitive wild woods down a narrow path to a vast set of rock stairs, under the overhanging rocks, down more paths to a stream. We took our shoes off and marched across the stream and ended up in the prettiest little lake at the bottom of this box canyon I think I've ever seen. It was unbelievably beautiful and pristine. One would pay a fortune to travel there, but we were seeing this in our own back yard for nothing. The kids threw themselves into the water of this very primitive place.

The older kids watched as the natives jumped from the cliffs into the lake. Four of our older kids and Miss Leigh jumped too. Austin G, Jack S, Morgen, Michaela all climbed the cliffs and made the 25 foot jump. It was the glory of their day.

We put our soggy socks and shoes on and an assortment of clothes and made our weary way back to the bus. We started for home about 4:30. I'm sorry we were late! It was just too good to pass up the swimming hole. I think this is something the children will remember for years to come. It was one day in one million. I don't think we could duplicate it. It was hot and sticky, but the long adventure was a breathtaking one.

Many thanks to Miss Christi, Miss Cathy, Mr. Todd and Mr. Casey for making this a fabulous trip.