In my mid-teens, I was spending a lot of time in Kingsport. For a while, I sold Ice Cream from a three-wheeled bicycle buggy until I outgrew it. Then I started working for McCurdy Construction in Highland. It was owned by a fine gentleman by the name of Noel McCurdy.
In the middle of January, one day, several of the employees along with three of Noel’s sons, including Allen, who fancied himself somewhat of a gambler, were sitting around the office telling tall tales when the subject came up about a job we had over on the Holsten River when the weather broke. We decided to go look it over. All of us piled into two pickup trucks and Noel’s big Buick Roadmaster.
We had been at the location about fifteen minutes, discussing what had to be done and how to do it.
We were ready to leave, when someone looked down at the river and made the comment that it must be real cold because of all the mushy ice running in it. I said for ten dollars, I would wade out into the river until the water was waist deep then dunk all the way under. (now here I go again letting my mouth outrun my brain).
In those days, you could do with ten dollars what it would take way over one hundred dollars to do now. Allen pulled a roll of bills out of his pocket that was big enough to choke a horse to death. He peels off a ten and hands it to me and in I went, clothes and all. That eight mile ride home in the back of a pickup was not very comfortable.
—Ben Brouke – Hill Talk
I’ve never waded in an icy river, but I have taken a bath in a mountain stream (in summer) that was so cold it was downright painful. But once I was bathed, dried, dressed, and sitting by the fire I felt so refreshed and revived that it was worth braving the chilly water.
Last night’s video: Q&A with Matt and Me.
Tipper
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Also…I meant to tell you how much I enjoyed Granny’s birthday party video and the video of yours and Matt’s lovey dovey questions and answers. So sweet and entertaining!
Brrrrrrrr. Nothing more to say about cold cold Creek water. We use to bath in it quite often during the summer visits to Grandma and grandpa’s. No indoor plumbing. LOL. Loved the video Q & A. Life is so short for us all, you should soften up Miss Tipper and show the love you have. Babies learn what they see, and most respond to sweetness and affection. No offense meant, you are such a kind and loving soul. It truly shows. Love to all and may God bless everyone. J
Boys will be boys was my first thought when reading this. When teenage boys get together and start daring one another, anything is liable to happen, chances are it won’t be good. Sometimes the boys never outgrow daring one another. The creek I played in when I was a kid was spring fed and much of it was shaded. It felt pretty good during the dog days of summer, but could be very cold during the spring time and the early summer days.
About 40 years ago we were staying at the Fryemont Inn and decided to tube down Deep Creek. After renting tubes we parked in the lot and trekked up to where tubers were starting their rides. I decided to go up above a small spout of fast water after having seen others do it. Well, the fast water spilled me and tumbled me into rocks. I came up bleeding from small cuts. It was enough to frighten my very young daughter. The cold water immediately gave me a terrible headache that I kept for 3 days despite aspirin and every other patent drug being taken.
Physical fitness buffs tout a daily cold plunge in water just above freezing. They do it before their workouts which are supposed to warm their blood after its chilling. Some claim to stay in the water for 3 to 5 minutes.
Some of those Scandinavian folks do those real hot saunas and then go outside and flop in the snow. They’ve been doing it for centuries so it must have some kind of benefit. I think I’ll just stay home and curl up with my tea and my cat. LOL.
I’m cold just reading about it !!!!
Enjoyed the q& a video last night !
I grew up with an outside bathroom only. Our running water in the house consisted of a hand pump in the kitchen. Mama heated water for everything including dishes, washing clothes and our baths. We had a creek down the hill behind our house. Dad put a pump in it one summer and ran a hose up beside the barn. He built a little wooden stall with a door, and hung the hose over the back. We took showers from the cold creek water all summer long. It was cold, but felt so refreshing in the summertime. I never had a hot shower until I was married.
Here on the west coastal waters of Canada, when one is spending time in nature, the only option for bathing or even washing one’s hands for face is the rivers and creeks which are often glacier fed and can make for such depth of cold it makes ones body ache right to the bone soon as you step into it, but as you said Tipper, the ‘afterwards’ can sure make one feel so invigorated! Because my husband and I were avid ‘spend time in nature’ campers, we spent much time bathing in such waters right up to frost time. Cures what ails a body! 🙂 I miss those times!
I enjoy cooler temperatures on land. I have no desire to plunge into icy waters. lol
A popular annual event here in Louisville is the Polar Plunge in the Ohio River, with proceeds going to local charities. I never participated and could barely watch it on TV without cold chills consuming me. When I bought my infrared sauna, the salesperson asked if I planned to purchase an ice tub to use after bathing. What? No! He said that would be like chewing your food and spitting it out. I have been known to spray cold water on my feet and legs from the water hose or shower after enjoying 20 minutes at 125-135 degrees.
One summer I hung out with PATCH ADAMS-yes THAT Patch Adams-a quirky doctor who believed music and humor could make people heal from sickness. Anyway, I was with a bunch of vegans and seaweed eating Japanese. I was so hungry looking at deer and you know what I was thinking-deer roast, loin, leg or heck-ear was making my mouth water. Anyway I bathed in a waterfall I found that became my own personal shower. It was cold and tricky for moss was growing all over those wet rocks. IF I’d have fallen, it would have been a while til I was found. Anyway it was a pretty good time except for vegetables and seaweed as a menu. When I left there after a week, you know I headed straight for some meat I promise you that! I’d say stay clear of icy water in winter. Haven’t you ever seen ITS A BEAUTIFUL LIFE???? Lol there’s no good to be had over frozen water I believe…
Sadie, you know that vegetarian is a another word for a bad hunter.
The thought of plunging into ice waters makes my blood run cold! (pun intended lol). I guess I have lived in Florida too long.
Linda, I do love to swim in our 72-degree Florida springs. When I was much younger, we scuba dived in many of them. The most unusual spring was Croaker Hole, at the bottom of the Saint Johns River, near Georgetown. We descended through brownish river water to reach the clear spring. Wet suits kept us warm. Now, I am content to paddle around in Ponce Deleon Springs and then come out to get warm.
I once rode down the Nantahala River on a big Euclid haul truck tire inner tube. It was a warm day but the water was on and coming right out of the bottom of the lake. Only my hands and feet had to be in the water to steer and propel me. We floated from Wayah Road to the Tote and Tarry.
Along about half way my hands and feet got to hurting pretty bad and starting to swell. By the time I got out all of my extremities were throbbing, four times their normal size and blood red. Luckily I wasn’t driving or I’da never made it home. Took me several days to recover from that one.
Remember I’m the one that waded the Little Tennessee to get boxwood cuttings for Christmas. It was only knee deep though except for that one time I stumbled upon the deep hole. I only stayed under for an instant there.
This is a classic boys will be boys story!