| |
|
|
|
|
At the Ol’ Swimming Hole
By Amy Carney Bevins
A boy. Poised at the edge of a rock worn smooth by generations of
bare feet. Clenching a rope swing in his hands, he glances at the
sparkling water below. He takes a deep breath . . . leaps . . . and
yells, “Yahoooo,” as he swings through the air. Letting go of the
rope, he splashes into the water, emerging with a dripping grin of
triumph.
Swimming holes are the perfect expression of a summer day, whether
you spend just a few hours or treat yourself to entire day of
relaxation. Listen to the peace of the forest punctuated by the
delighted splashes of families enjoying a cooling dip. Turn over
rocks to find crawfish boldly waving their claws at intruders before
disappearing. Try to catch silvery minnows in a net as they flash
past. Feel the warmth of the sun radiating from the rocks, soothing
you after a refreshing plunge in the water. Nearby, idly watch your
bobber float on the surface of the water, waiting for the moment
when its plunge will signal a fish on your line.
If this sounds like your ideal summer excursion, come explore the
many swimming holes available around Virginia and Maryland. Some
feature rushing streams and others, placid pools. Each has a unique
character. Below are three swimming holes that made my family’s list
of great places to visit. I hope you enjoy them too.
Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area, in the George Washington National
Forest near Front Royal, VA, offers a wonderful family swimming hole
experience. This combination day-use and campground features a
lovely, gently flowing stream with several deep swimming pools.
While it is a great first time swimming hole experience, there is
plenty to entrance older kids as well. There are numerous rocks to
turn over, so bring a bucket to house your children’s’ “finds”.
Goggles are also helpful to view the underwater life. My children
were especially fascinated by the crawfish with the bright blue
claws. Elizabeth Furnace has a large picnic area with tables and
grills; be sure to come prepared for a picnic lunch. There are also
hiking trails and a grassy area for Frisbee or football. The day use
area has water spigots for hand washing and latrine type facilities.
Visit www.swimmingholes.org
for more details and directions.
Gooney Creek Campground, near Linden, VA is located just past
Skyline Cavern (off of exit 13 on Rte. 66). Gooney Creek offers a
day-use area, as well as camping and is open from April 1 – October
31. A small picnic area, a swing set for children, and bathrooms
with running water are nice amenities in this rustic spot. However,
the real draw of this swimming hole is the rope swing. Generations
of families have welcomed summer with a plunge into the refreshing
water of Gooney Creek, and then warmed up on the large boulders that
rim the pool. A small rocky stream provides plenty of wading and
critter hunting. A great fishing hole is located just downstream.
Across the street, where Gooney Creek joins the Shenandoah River,
families gather to rent tubes for a lazy float. Day use fees for
Gooney Creek Campground are $5 per person. For more information
visit their website at
www.gooneycreek.com or call proprietor, Gloria Marcon at
703-635-4066.
Big Rock Falls, near Luray, VA is nestled in the Shenandoah National
Park just south of Big Meadows, a few miles past milepost 52. This
rustic swimming hole starts with a 1-½ mile downhill hike beside a
rushing stream to get you warmed up for the plunge into the cool
water. Once at the swimming hole, watching the water cascade down
the short waterfall into the pool below makes the hike well worth
the effort. My family enjoyed the variety of terrain on the hike, as
well as the crystal clear water at the swimming hole. At the parking
area, before starting the trail, there is a large grassy area,
perfect for a picnic. Be advised, the nearest facilities are at Big
Meadow Visitors Center. Because of the steep terrain, this
particular swimming hole may best suited for children age 7 and up.
National Park fees apply. For specific directions and more
information visit
www.swimmingholes.org.
There are many other swimming holes on our list of places to visit
this summer. Two particularly appealing ones include:
Rocks State Park in Jarrettsville, MD. Deer Creek meanders through
this Maryland State Park creating three unique family-friendly
swimming holes - Hills Grove, Wilson Creek and Kilgore Falls. Look
for picnic areas, hiking trails, cliffs to climb, and a beautiful
17-foot waterfall. Bring your own tube to enjoy the ever-popular
tubing area. Bathrooms are available. $2 per person. For more
information call 401-557-7994 or visit
www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/rocks.html.
Oregon Ridge County Park in Cockeysville, MD offers a unique quarry
setting with sand beaches, docks, lifeguards, grassy areas,
concessions, a bathhouse, and picnic spots. For more information
call, 410-887-1818 or visit
http://www.co.ba.md.us/Agencies/recreation/countyparks/oregonridgelodge/orbeach.html
While swimming holes abound in the mountains, there are also hidden
pools and natural water parks near the shore. To find a swimming
hole near you, visit
www.swimmingholes.org. This website details the location,
condition, facilities, fees, and often provides photos of more than
900 swimming holes in the US and Canada, including descriptions of
about 20 within a few hours of the DC metro area. Have fun cooling
off amid the beauty of nature when you try out one of these nearby
swimming holes.
Amy Carney Bevins is a freelance writer and mother of two. You can
contact her at
amycarneybevins@yahoo.com.
|
|
