Beach Review

To escape the heat we ventured out to Pearl Lake. We used to go there a couple of times a summer when I was a kid but in my crabby old age I’ve discovered I don’t care for swimming in water that I can’t see through so usually beaches, swimmin' holes and rivers are out of the question. Recently caught a commercial boasting about the spring fed lake and decided that it sounded cool and crisp and clean.

We drove about forty minutes and upon arriving I recalled learning to float in the water at this beach while mom basked in the sun drinking cokes and Dad taught me a basic frog kick leading up to the momentous accomplishment of swimming. The smells were all the same Coppertone, kid sweat and popsicles and there is still a wonderful little snack bar that boasts hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and even beer. I didn’t remember the beer part, but the last time I went I’m sure I wanted a Dreamsicle and not a Miller Lite.

I paid $8.00 to get in and Ella was free and we stumbled down the hill to the lake edge and sure enough the water was crisp, cool and clean. I could see right down into it and were it is deep it is a clear and beautiful turquoise. The lake has three sections according to depth, three feet, five feet and deep end and all three sections have a little fountain of crystal clean cold spring water spraying out in the middle. They also have the section were you can rent paddle boats, but I didn’t venture over there. I chose a spot by the three foot depth and spread out our blanket and towels and junk. Ella immediately ran for the water with her little pail and shovel in hand. After a quick dip I had a chance to do a quick estimate, there were perhaps 30 moms sparsely scattered around the edge of the lake sunning, maybe another 30 teenagers hanging around in the deep end and on the dock brooding and being cool and at tops 100 kids in the lake splashing and squealing. There were four lifeguards on tall stands and lots of empty sand.

We stayed all day and we’ll go back again. Next time I will skip the cooler and junk and just bring $15.00 for snacks, sunscreen, a couple of bottles of water two towels and Ella’s ola-ola (aka her swim ring and I don’t know why she calls it an ola-ola). Traveling light is better when you have sand in your shorts and you have to carry all your junk and the kid across the beach back to the van at the end of the day. Also, please note that string cheese is NOT a convenient beach food for toddlers.