Trust that you will become part of the tradition. Camaraderie develops quickly. Kids at swimming holes take turns and help each other catch the rope, find the best spot to jump or catch a frolicking dog. Kids who are on different teams, in different grades, from different sides of town are swimming-hole comrades for the summer. Oldtimers help the kids with explanations age differences are not part of the day, the friendship is.
Adults become swimming-hole friends.
They talk about their kids, share concerns about the rope and maybe find out there s a committee they always wanted to join that s looking for help. The water brings cleansing and peace. The swimming hole that carved its place along the creek beds carves its way into peoples lives. They can sit back and believe they are in another time, when life was simpler. There are no maps to our swimming holes.