A long held summer pastime is heading to your favorite, and seemingly secret, swimming hole. Cooling off, hanging with friends, and for those more adventurous folks, jumping off of things into water below. It’s a quintessential part of growing up. A very dear friend of mine tells a story about her dad, as a young boy, acquiring a watermelon- we’re not going to get into how he and his friends got the watermelon – head to the creek, put the watermelon in the water to get nice and cold, take a dip – I like to imagine there was some rock skipping involved – and then eat their watermelon. It’s a lovely story that sounds like it’s straight out of a movie.
I didn’t have a favorite or a secret swimming hole growing up. I don’t have any sweet stories of eating creek watermelons with my friends. But what I was lucky enough to have – and still have – is Aqua Bella. Most of my summers were spent playing softball. When we did take a summer vacation, we loaded up in the car and headed to Lansford, Pennsylvania for the Valentini family reunion. Aqua Bella is a small piece of property in the Pocono Mountains. My family is part owner of the property. A property that, now that a twist of fate has brought me and my husband to Pennsylvania, I get to visit more regularly. Aside from a beautiful creek-fed swimming hole, t
here’s bocci lanes, see-saws, memories of the best sweet corn you’ve ever had, Uncle Vincy leading a massive game of Simon Says, and some serious BINGO.
While all that is pretty great, my favorite thing about Aqua Bella is the fact that my phone doesn’t work there. It’s a great, much needed escape. Grab a book, throw up a hammock, and you’re set. There’s nothing better than disconnecting while reconnecting with what matters.
So, I suggest you take a much needed break for yourself this summer. Thankfully, the Natural State is full of swimmin’ holes. The State Parks website has compiled a list of pools and beaches open to the public. You can find it here.
Or, check out this article by Jill Rohrbach for a list of great Arkansas swimming holes.
By Ryanne Harper