We lived about a mile from the city limits. All along the north edge of our property it was filled with blackberry brambles and a few raspberry bushes. On the south edge, on the other side of the fence there were Kenny’s cows. They would watch us, and slowly follow us throughout the day. At the east end of our property we had a barn, 6 fruit trees, a big garden and a creek.
To get down to the creek you would have to skid down the embankment, by going this way you would get dirt and scratches on your legs. If you were walking down the road it was easier, you could walk down the embankment. Then you would end up next to a concrete culvert. Once you got down to the creek the only way to get into the culvert was to wade through the water. If you wanted to go into the culvert from the north side it was much easier, which is the way I usually went. You could just slide down the ditch and you wouldn’t have to wade in the water.
Once inside the culvert it was dark, and I couldn’t completely stand up straight. The rounded sides of it were slick with green algae. There were small rocks, leaves and some sticks that were caught in the water flow on the floor. When I would stand perfectly still I could hear the sound of the rustling leaves and the trickling water from the culvert falling into the creek.
I spent a lot of time down at the creek. I would walk across the thin slick flat rocks and feel the cool water on my hands while I looked for old bottles, Indian beads, and periwinkles. I taught myself how to skip small flat rocks across the water. My most favorite thing to do was to fish. The fish were so tiny I tried to catch them by hand, with a net and eventually used a pole. Whenever I could have cousins, friends or neighbors over we would end up down at the creek.
As I grew up I would take my nephew and nieces down there to explore. It was exciting to show them my favorite spot. I hope one day others get to enjoy the creek as I did when I was young.
My World! 