"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Friday, August 13, 2010

The River Wall

This river, like most, is deep, wide and deceptive.It is a beautiful river and on this hot day I am sure it appears a reasonably safe place to swim. Appears!
The grandchildren were becoming weary of my watchfulness. They did keep their life jackets on though. Just past our son ( the adult in the picture) the river drops off and there is a strong undertow. The river is very cold too, and almost every day this past month the news has held stories of the sad demise of people, young men and boys mostly, who did not take seriously the danger of a river .
Our son began making a little walled-in area , and we took advantage of this to play in the river. Oh it was so nice!
He carried large rocks and worked, the children watched. Sometimes they helped a little.
He surveys his work, then adds more to his river wall. The pretty blue-green area of the river is very deep,there were young men jumping into it off the big downed trees on shore.
She is just enjoying the warm sun, the water running over her feet, and being with her dad.
Our two oldest Granddaughters.
This little granddaughter is such a happy girl, and time with her family is a joy to her.
Most of us were ready to head back up the long path to the camp site for the night, but our son just kept building this river wall, and his oldest daughter wanted to stay with her Dad.
The next day we went down to the river and there was a young family watching their little ones play inside the river wall our son made. It would be nice to think we might see this little wall next year on our camp-out, but the river will wash these rocks away, along with so many of the giant portions of fallen trees.

13 comments:

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Kathy, you're so right to be cautions. the mighty Elk River, WV, claimed my Aunt Edna and Uncle Ralph when they were teenagers. The Elk River kept them for three days until a brave man volunteered to claim their bodies for burial.

LindaSue said...

We all build walls to protect those we love - and mighty rushes of water might carry the wall away but in the building and the loving is much of the safety. Local news here in Texas has had far too many drownings - people who don't have the good sense to wear jackets like all the beautiful grandkids in your pictures.

Pondside said...

It's the same up here. People go out to the Cowichan River with their inner tubes and sense of adventure, and every year people drown because they underestimate the power of the water.

Anonymous said...

What a scenic river Kathy. Such a beautiful place to enjoy time together with family. I know this summer holds many precious memories for each of you.

Debbie said...

He is such a Marine! What a great idea. That river is beautiul. We live alongside the Illinois River; it's muddy, dirty and full of commercial river traffic. But it is interesting and there's just something about a river.....

Connie said...

Such nice pictures, Kathy. You are wise to be so watchful, I think. Although, the river is beautiful, it can also be very dangerous. Your son is a worker. I like the wall he made. :)

JC said...

That's why camping is so much fun. We try to go at least once a year.

Timi said...

What a great idea to make a river wall!
Lovely photos!!

Dolores said...

I'd be just like you, with a very watchful eye on those precious grandchildren.

Your grandchildren are so beautiful and look like they're having the time of their lives. A great wall your son built.

Mary said...

Television news seems full of drownings, especially of youngsters. It is sad. Being cautious only makes sense.

On to a lighter note...

Love seeing the river, the river wall your son built, and the fun the family had.

Karen said...

Beautiful pictures. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Kathy,
You sure did the right thing watching the children. Rivers are pretty, but dangerous. You son did a great job by building the river wall. The photos of your grandchildren sure are lovely.

Nancy M. said...

What a great idea to make a little blocked off area to play in! Makes it less stressful for y'all and more fun for them! Looks like a fun place to visit!