When I heaved myself onto the dock, I was tinted yellow. I was also slightly oily, with subtle odors of mud and sulfur. I grinned at my reflection and breathed deeply, inebriated by the scent of crisp mountain air tainted by pond water which dripped from my eyelashes onto my nose. With goosebumps peppering my bare appendages and fingernails turned a shade of lavender-blue, I bent my knees before bursting into the foul-scented abyss, surging to the bottom. Cattails and algae blooms quivered in the wake of impact.
FINALIST 2015 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
In our living room hangs a print of a painting of a pond, painted by a painter who presumably never swam in a pond, based on the preposterously idealistic portrayal of the pond in the painting. The particular pond that I swam in during our family vacation three summers ago was smooth at the surface, surrounded by an outskirt of perennial grasses, bluets, and cattails. Most likely, these surface aesthetics are what inspire the stereotypical pond painting. One can imagine a Claude Monet or Jasper Cropsey sitting reservedly at the edge of the pond, squinting pointedly at a ripple on the surface or the sheen of a grass blade before replicating the sight with delicate brushes on a butter-smooth canvas. The experience of actually swimming in a pond, however – the shock of the initial plunge, coupled with the sheen of algae and mud that coats the legs – is a sensation foreign to the painters who saw, but perhaps did not swim in, the ponds that now decorate the walls of our parlors and entryways. Pond swimming is an experience engrained in reverie – in the reminiscences of summers past and the stories told by grandparents of family vacations before our time.
Such stories inspired our trek to the Appalachian Mountains in July of 2013. My dad had vacationed there as a child with my grandmother and a slew of aunts and uncles. He was eager to show us the trails he had hiked, the shed in which he had eaten bologna on Wonder Bread, and of course, the musty pond he had swam in. Upon arrival, my mom, three younger siblings and I were excited, albeit slightly hesitant, to enter the ramshackle log cabin that served as the grand chandelier to an even grander hall of woods, swamps, ponds, and questionably engineered footbridges. The first night, we heard the pond, but we could not see it. Croaks, screeches, and whistles reverberated within the creaky cabin walls. The pond was merely a dark, ominous mass outside my window, sparkling under the glint of fireflies.
Yet as fireflies rescinded into their lairs, the water emerged from its nocturnal sheath. I woke to a tiny pond, a water mass glorified and made wholly tangible through my father’s remembrances and now, my own eyes. I wriggled into a swimsuit and slipped out the door with light feet. It was a quiet morning to create my own memory.
I did not fish, nor boat, nor eat bologna while watching water bugs flit across the pond’s surface. Instead, I swam. On the dock, I knelt down and swept my left arm through the water. Minuscule fish and tendrils of grass twirled like ribbons, inviting me closer. Upon entry, I felt the chill and the grime and the surface ripples with my entire body. With every stroke, I moved further from the dock, and a sense of sweet, undisturbed solitude intensified. A memory was cultivated that I would one day share with siblings, children, grandchildren. Yet in that moment, the pond was not anyone else’s memory but my own.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Lies of Pond Painters”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog aand check again here frequently.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Do you offer guest writers to write content
for yourself? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write concerning
here. Again, awesome site!
Essential bags: Remember to bring commonly used medicines, prescription medicines, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, wound closures, etc.
Thanks for sharing
Very nice article. I certainly love this site.
Contine the good work!
Wow, Fran Falkin’s pet travel tips are a lifesaver! ? Planning our pet-friendly vacation has been a breeze thanks to these insightful tips. We followed tip #2, and now our fur baby practically loves their carrier, making our journey stress-free. Plus, we found a cozy hotel that welcomes our pet, so they’re enjoying the adventure just as much as we are. Thanks, Fran, for turning our pet travel worries into tail-wagging excitement!
Hey There. I found your weblog using msn. That
is a really smartly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of
your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will certainly
comeback.
i wish i was chinese
I am genuinely pleased to read this weblog posts which includes plenty
of helpful information, thanks for providing
these kinds of statistics.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular
article! It’s the little changes that will make the biggest changes.
Thanks for sharing!
Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka with our family tours. Discover unforgettable experiences for all with Family Tours Sri Lanka. Book your adventure today with Sri Lanka Family Tours.
Great post.
Yes, recent trends suggest that Americans are regaining confidence in vacations and travel. As travel restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase, many Americans are showing a greater willingness to travel and explore destinations again. However, it’s important to stay updated on travel advisories and safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Reading Fran Falkin’s insights took me back to my first trip with Whiskers, my feline companion. The chaos of ensuring he was comfortable amidst the hustle of the airport was a lesson in patience. Had I come across these invaluable tips earlier, our journey would’ve been as smooth as a calm sea.
Thank you! I value it!
Great information. Cheers.
Very good write-up. I certainly appreciate this website.
Continue the good work!
I read your article on the Sheep of Sun Valley and I found it very fascinating and enjoyable. You have given a detailed and colorful account of your experience at the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, which celebrates the history and culture of sheepherding in Idaho. I think your article is a great way to introduce this unique and fun event to other travelers and families who are looking for a different and memorable adventure.
This is something new I saw on the internet today I want to thank you for writing such a great and helpful blog. I really appreciate your efforts.