Upon Further Review: Summers made for ‘cool’ fun
The wonderful days of summer are just about here, and soon we will be complaining of how hot it is, wishing cool weather would hurry up and get here and complaining how we “sure need some rain.”
But for those of us that truly enjoy the summer heat, it is a fun time. All those softball tournaments, going on vacation and — for those who love the water — it’s time to hit the lake.
For some, this summer might be a little different. No swimming pool to help cool down and pass the summer days will have some people trying to figure out just what to do.
I expect Rock Island will be a little more busy than usual. It may not be the same as the city pool, and it may be a little out of the way, but it is a great place to swim on a hot summer day.
I grew up spending most of my time fishing and swimming on Center Hill Lake.
With summer here, fishing and water skiing is a big part of a lot of people’s summer here in Warren County.
I remember going to the lake around two or three o’clock and fishing with my dad until eight or nine o’clock four or five days a week.
When I was younger, 7 or 8 years old, we would always catch fish. Sometimes we might have three or four, and the next day we might catch 15 or 20. It really didn’t matter how many fish we caught; it was a great way to spend the summer and some special time with my dad.
He taught me many things about fishing and the great outdoors. But the main lesson I learned was to enjoy the natural beauty of the lake, and respect all the wildlife which surrounded it.
As I got older, fishing seemed to slow down. Fish became harder and harder to catch. More people started using the lake for skiing and fishing, and more boats also meant more trash and pollution.
My fishing days soon turn into water skiing as I got older. I still fished, but skiing with my friends was the way we passed those hot summer days.
Center Hill is a very busy lake these days and has many boaters on it. I think the skiers and joy riders out-number the fisherman 3-to-1. Fishing on Center Hill has now turned into a night event over the years. You can find many boats on the lake late at night trying to reel in that one big fish to put up on the wall.
So if you don’t have a swimming pool or access to one, this summer might be a good time to find a friend with a boat. If you ever thought of buying a boat or jet-ski, then your kids might just be able to talk you into one this summer.
It is a lot of responsibility to own a boat, and requires your full attention when you’re on the water. But it can be one of the greatest memories of your life spending the summer on the water with your friends or family.
The summer won’t be ruined because we don’t have a swimming pool. There are many places to go and cool off. You might have to spend an extra 20 minutes or so getting to and from a nice little swimming hole, but I guarantee it will be worth it.
Go spend a day at Fall Creek Falls. They have a nice swimming pool, a couple of good swimming holes and a great golf course where you can spend the whole day.
If you decide to take the plunge and buy a boat this summer, just remember to use some common sense when you’re out on the water.
You can make some lifetime memories out on the water with your family.
My dad game me many great moments on the lake I will remember forever.