Wow, today is installment #300, dating since August, 2015; hardly seems possible? This certainly has been a labor of love for me.
Another shout out in order for Monday's Flag Day. Being an American has been a wonderful thing in my life!
When considering weekly topics, I weigh a number of factors, before sitting down to expand my thoughts. I like to cover topics/issues that have a broad-base audience appeal to readers in Our Town and far beyond. This week, the scope of the subject may be slightly narrow, but the idea I hope to convey is adaptable to today's frantic world. Here goes my attempt..........
I have repeatedly said, I grew up in Our Town's 1950's and 60's, and these decades were certainly gentler and simpler times. However, I think it is still possible today to "catch lighting in a bottle", and find a relaxation niche in your world, too. You just may have to search for it longer and harder than I did many years ago. I regularly found it on the east side of our railroad tracks, just off State Highway 51 (aka East 6th Avenue). In this location, it was mostly hidden behind the towering Stillwater Milling Company industrial plants. It was an absolute relaxation/social/recreational jewel in Our Town.
It was Crystal Plunge swimming pool.
This facility provided me and many others, so much simple fun, social interaction, and exercise, not to mention a wonderful way to beat the oppressive summer heat in Our Town. Remember, too, in most of the 1950's, "refrigerated" air conditioning to cool down the insides of most buildings, was in its infancy, and, therefore, somewhat of an oddity/rare. A simple solution to those lazy/hazy/hot summer days, a 50-cent entrance fee into huge Crystal Plunge swimming pool, and its refreshing clear and cool waters. Gosh, I think I am still able (?) to feel that wonderful, immediate relief from the elevated summer temperatures I experienced by merely jumping into the pool! Also, I remember, there were very few other swimming options in Our Town, since private home swimming pools were almost non-existent back in the day. So, how did I manage to get from Point A (my home) to Point B (Crystal Plunge)? Being the resourceful person I have always been, usually I would talk my father, Col. C.H. Breedlove, into taking me (and a friend) there in our 4-door family activity (i.e., car) vehicle. He usually granted my pleading (?) request. Otherwise, it was up to me to ride my small 20" Colson bicycle a considerable distance across town, and park it (never with a lock; almost no one used one then) just outside the west entrance to the facility. Rarely, I would get transportation with one of my friend's parents. The large gravel parking lot on the pool's west side seemed to always be full of vehicles, and a few were able to park in the cooler shade, under one of the large trees on property.
Once inside the facility, I would be issued a small wire clothing basket, enter the male dressing area, and change into my much-used swim suit. Each basket had metal safety pin with a number on it that matched the number on the basket. In that simple way, your clothing basket could be logically stored and readily accessible. You were able to keep your money, watch, etc. inside your basket, and check it back out any time during your stay, such as when you wanted to buy candy from one of the pool's vending machines.
The rest of my many visits was pure enjoyment, too.
There was a covered kiddy pool for the little bitty bathers on the far north end of the pool. A row of jetted water sprays formed the boundary between the kiddy and main pool areas. It was always fun playing in the big water sprays! The huge main pool gradually became deeper, as it extended farther south. Just outside the fenced pool on the far south end. was undeveloped Stillwater Creek, marsh land, and plenty of mosquitos! The diving area, roped off on the south end, had 3 diving boards, 2 lower ones and a higher board in the middle. There were lifeguard stands on both sides of the pool, and the lifeguards would blow their whistles, when necessary, to get swimmer's attention. A wooden water wheel was in the "shallow" (north) end of the large pool, and it was always a challenge to see how long you could walk on its turning wheel, before you were thrown into the water! The wooden sun decks were primarily on the east side of the pool, but, in reality, you could place your towel down just about anywhere inside the entrance gate, and soak up the rays!
So, what were the best features of Crystal Plunge?
Just having this easy-to-reach attraction in Our Town, being able to cool off, and always being around your friends. To be able to be visit this location for hours upon hours, and your parents knowing you were o.k., not to have to worry about you, nor you worrying about them? Simple things. Yes, remember, it was definitely simpler and gentler times! Priceless...
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