Rock Springs was my first favorite spring because it was the
one I swam in most before the age of ten. I had birthday parties there, entered
a cave (the spring source) for the first time, a small one at first glance, and
we kids had the freedom to “swim the run” as many times as our young bodies
wanted. And yes, we all slept well after a day at the spring. It was a safe
place for us to be kids back in the 1960s and 70s and our parents were happy to have some time
to just veg out beside the beautiful body of water. Back then the water was
deep and fish were abundant and we just didn’t care about sharing with them.
It was a wild place, full of secret byways and overhung jungle-looking foliage.
It was full of magic.
 |
| Part of the "run" from underwater |
Going back to it as an adult a lot has, of course, changed.
But not the crystal clear water, not the “run,” and not the magic of the
jungle. One can’t enter the cave anymore,
but the boulders we climbed are still there and the water is still chilly and exciting
and still spills out into the large swimming basin before it ambles on its way
to I don’t know where. I could find out, but like the mystery of it. The
coolest thing though, is that I’ve gotten to see my kids do the “run” and have
the same fun I had when I was a kid.
 |
| The "head" of the spring cave |
 |
| Fishes galore! |
 |
| The basin |
 |
| Another part of the run, the jungle-magic part... |
Whenever you visit a spring, take an underwater camera, even
if it’s a one-time use camera. You’ll be happy you did!
Images from:
