“I did a lot of walking yesterday” Gwen said, “and I’m really not used to that much hiking, especially with a pack. Besides I was really scared last night.”
“That’s OK” I said reassuringly, “You are not used to being in the woods. After awhile you ignore most of the noises at night.”
“I’m glad you understood” she smiled, “You were very comforting last night and I did sleep very well afterwards. You made me feel so secure. I mean not only out here but when you are home from college. I feel better in the house when I know you are home with me.”
I handed mom a large bowl of oatmeal with syrup and some freeze dried sausage on the side. “You spent many years comforting me when I was little. I’m glad that I can return the same love.” I said.
“You are such a dear” smiled my mother as she leaned over and placed a kiss on my forehead. We finished our breakfast, cleaned up, and broke camp. We resumed walking through the heavily wooded trail. It was still cool that morning and the birds were chirping loudly as we hiked the path through the shady trees. After a couple of miles, the trail went through a section of prairie where we were surrounded by tall grass plants and flat land. It was easy level walking but it was very hot with no shade and the grasses seem to hold in the heat. The heat from prairie started to tire us and we began to walk slower, gaining less distance than planned. After three hours of prairie, the trail gained some elevation and we were in the woods again. Rounding a bend in the trail, I began to hear a loud roaring sound. The trail began to descend a large slope by switchbacks and as we got closer to the bottom of the slope, I could see where the noise was coming from. At the bottom of the slope was a base of a bluff where a natural spring was pouring out water that seemed to be from nowhere.
“Will you look at that!” Gwen said in amazement.
“Wow” I said, “I think this is the headwater for the river we crossed over when we drove into the park the other day.” I leaned over and placed my hand into the upsurge of water. “Man, it’s cold!” I looked to where the water was flowing and saw that the spring water was collecting into a wide pool before it became a narrow stream rushing through the woods. I motioned Gwen to follow me and we walked beside the stream for about 50 yards. The water flowed into a wider area that was about twelve feet wide and looked to be about four feet deep before it overflowed as a narrow gushing stream through the woods.
“I think it’s time to take a break and cool off” I smiled.
“Do you think it’s safe?” asked Gwen.
“Sure” I said, “I don’t know if I would drink it but looks good to go in and cool off.”
Gwen put her palms into the water and said, “That does feel nice.”
“Want to go skinning dipping?” I asked half teasing and half serious. Would I get lucky?
Mom was slipping off her pack and laughed, “You wish! Richie, sometimes you are so funny. You go in first and see how the water is.”
I slipped off my pack and sat on a rock where I removed my hiking boots and socks. I saw that she took that comment as a joke then I wondered what she would say if I took the rest of my clothes off? Then I thought that I better not and then slowly walked into the water in my shirt and shorts. The water felt very cold but really felt really good after the hike in the hot prairie. Finally I was half floating with my feet on the bottom and I could feel the sweat and salt rinse from my body and clothes. Mom was watching me in her bare feet as I motioned for her to come in. She lightly placed one foot in the water and then the other. She slightly gasped from the cold water then slowly waded in until the water was at her shoulders.