Another kid loving a little creek… but this time it’s my own 15-month old JJ! Out on a family hike we passed a tiny drainage creek flowing under the trail. JJ heard the trickle and immediately wanted to get down and investigate. Amazing. We know kids love water, and feel connected to the elements. A kinship even. And here it was happening anew with this little guy. Together we checked the creeklet out, listened to the burbling, threw little rocks in, then of course it was time to step into the flow. Sploosh! Kids want to investigate water and see how it works. They love squishing and touching. You know it’s true. All we need to do as adults is create opportunities for children to connect with water and the natural living world. (oh, and provide mud boots!)
That last picture of JJ tells the tale! I see sheer delight on his cute little face.
Ha Ha – I know!!! hee hee – he was singing and yucking it up. loving it. woo-hoo!
My creek was across the dirt road and through the vacant lot and down the bank to the creek.
My brother and I spent a big chunk of our roaming time at the creek. The family joke was that we would yell to our Mother that we were ‘going to the creek’ and our Mother would say each and every time, ‘Don’t get wet.’ and we would dutifully reply, ‘OK’ and run to the creek.
And, of course, we got wet. We got muddy and snowy and bumped up a bit and we always went home and she would shake her head and we would repeat this routine each time.
At the creek I imagined I was a pioneer and learned that it took a long time to dry your clothes on bushes. I hid with my friends from the ‘other guys’. I watched the raccoons wash and wash and wash and wash their food. I skated on the ice and followed the creek as far as I dare go and get back before dinner. We did, occasionally, build a fire – breaking every rule. I loved the creek. It was peace and freedom and imagination and one of the best memories of my childhood.
wow – beautiful memories Susan. gave me goosebumps! what a special place…
the creek is alive. changing. where the action is. where life is! no wonder it’s the place to be for a kid.
I don’t think I ever tried to dry off my clothes on the bushes! But I did spend a lot of time playing in the creek hunting and playing with crayfish, fishing and enjoying the water. I grew up in Strykersville, NY in between cows and a whole lot of yummy corn fields! We used to sled down a big hill with the hope that we wouldn’t end up in the creek at the bottom! Lol! Fun! I miss sitting in my neighbors huge veggie garden right in the middle of the peas! I used to eat pounds of peas right off the plant! Yum!! Rusty, if you are ever this way… Merrimack, NH you are more than welcome to stop in for a visit. Come on over for a nature walk! Michelle
more great memories! I was always on the lookout for creeks and waterways in the fields and woods near my house too. My dad used to take me fishing as a boy and I loved being by the stream (I developed the love of looking under rocks and messing around in the water more than actual fishing!) A Merrimack visit sounds good Michelle – creekwalk!