July 2008 Vol. 27. No. 7

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Swimming holes: New publisher will help keep your family cool all summer
Budget cuts
Think About It
Ask HICAP: Will Medicare pay for a scooter?
Ferndale Rep and Sanctuary Stage present Make Mine Metamucil
Traveling Humboldt and Del Nort Counties

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Swimming holes New publisher will help keep your family cool all summer
by Elizabeth Whitley

Elizabeth Whitley stands on the foot-bridge that stretches across the Van Duzen River. Photo by Bruce Chaiet

Four years ago Senior News published a series of articles about natural swimming holes by Albert Miller, then of Rio Dell. Today the Guide to Natural Swimming Holes is still around ‹ and Albert, now age 83, has passed on the task of publishing it to me, age 52, a member of the Senior News team.

He passed me that baton, and I am very happy to run with it. The opportunity to build on the third edition is the challenge in front of me. With more than 20 new swimming holes to research and document, I am in for a very busy summer. If you see me out there with my puppies, Rhody and Jasper, a camera Œround my neck and GPS in hand, say hi.

This guide contains directions to many of the finest swimming holes in Humboldt County. Hikers of all ages and families can experience the cleanest rock-bottom rivers within an hour¹s drive. Set yourself on a pristine sandy beach next to tranquil gently rushing waters. Get wet and mellow and shed the worries of the world for just a while.

From the guide, I am including a swimming hole I visited on Summer Solstice on the Van Duzen River. Easy access to the river is within Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, about 17 miles east of Hwy. 101 on Hwy. 36. Enter the park and pay the day use fee of $5 per car (Overnight camping is available.) Parking areas are to the left and right in front of the park office.

Walk 50 yards down to the access trail to the dry wash. Scope out the situation because to the right is a foot-bridge (see photo) that will take you to the other side. Once over the bridge, turn left going upstream ‹ and head to the rocks that jut out into the river (lower photo). This is the deepest part, the swimming hole. Get wet or not, your choice. I suggest jumpin¹ in.

The 2009 edition of the Guide to Natural Swimming Holes will include five to eight new swimming holes as well as new information such as GPS coordinates, a hiking-difficulty scale and whether or not you can bring the family dog.

The guide is available for purchase from Arcata to Redway: Eureka Natural Foods, Arcata/Eureka Coop, Borders Books, Sport & Cycle Pro Sport Center, Booklegger. Arcata: The Outdoor Store, Adventure¹s Edge, Fortuna: The Riverwalk RV Park, Rainy Day Books, Sport & Cycle, Hoby¹s Market in Scotia Redcrest Resort & Gift Shop and Dean Creek Resort in Redway.

Elizabeth Whitley is the new publisher of Guide to Natural Swimming Holes, a resident of Humboldt since 1990, owner of Catalyst Graphics and is Senior News¹ graphics designer.