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Get into the Swim: Five Great Places to Take a Dip

June 16, 2009

Because this is a respectable family-oriented site, and because I am an unceasingly law-abiding citizen, I would never recommend any swimming spots that aren't perfectly, 100% legal.  Less-than-legal spots do exist, of course, and many of these spots are in lovely locations, but the water in these places is often too deep or too cold (or both) for small children, and also too illegal.  So, you know, stay out of those reservoirs.  Not that you need to risk life and limb in a reservoir, what with so many legitimate swimming spots around town.  In need of a cool, refreshing dip?  Why not try one of these watery wonderlands, all of which offer swimming on the up-and-up? 

Beaver Dam Swimming Club- 10820 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville
Conveniently located in Baltimore County, Beaver Dam is home to a water-filled quarry, two pools, ball courts and a picnic area.  The quarry, while cool (in every sense of the word), is pretty deep; young children may feel most comfortable in Beaver Dam's swimming pools.

Oregon Ridge Beach - 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville
Located just up the road from Beaver Dam, Oregon Ridge Beach features another quarry (mining was a big deal 'round these parts at one time), as well as, as you might expect, a sandy, little beach.  A designated shallow end provides endless fun for even the smallest children.

Elk Neck State Park - 4395 Turkey Point Road, North East
Though this park is a little farther than the others from the center of town, its lighthouse, sandy beaches and beautiful marshlands make the trip one well worth taking. 

Gunpowder Falls State Park (Hammerman Area)- Off of Ebenezer Road (Baltimore County)
Of the many swimming spots along the Gunpowder, Hammerman--particularly for families--is my favorite.  Take advantage of the spacious beach, the playground and the concession area, and spend a sunny afternoon wading and admiring the skills of the windsurfers. 

Patterson Park Public Pool - Patterson Park, Baltimore
Inexpensive swimming at its finest.  First established in 1906, the pool is now home to a swim team--the Piranhas--and to Fluid Movement, the inimitable water ballet performance group.

Got a favorite swimming spot that you're willing to share?  Tell us where you go to cool off!  Read more...

Summery Summaries: Five of Our Favorite Books About the Upcoming Season

June 09, 2009

Don't let the boring, old calendar fool you--that lazy, wonderful summertime feeling is here.  And how better to celebrate that summertime feeling?  Why, with a summer reading list, of course!

Here comes our list of five of our favorite books about summer.  Read 'em wherever your warm weather travels take you.

1.  Summer by Alice Low (author) and Roy McKie (illustrator)
Swimming, fireworks, watermelon, fairs . . . many of the summertime all-stars are here, captured brilliantly by Alice Low and Roy McKie.  You'll love following the adventures of these fun-seeking kids--brother and sister, I presume--as they traverse the summertime landscape with their pup.  This book, when my kids ask me to read it off-season, makes me ache for the long, hot days of summer.  Even the stifling car trip, when the kids and their dad and their pup are all sweating, seems, a least to me, romantic.  A must-own.

2.  Heat Wave by Eileen Spinelli (author) and Betsy Lewin (illustrator)
Join the residents of Lumberville in their mighty quest to battle a heat wave in an era before air conditioning.  Lottie Sims, who eventually strips down to her bathing suit before cleaning her house, is one of my children's favorites, but every Lumbervillian is likable--and hot--in this old-fashioned tale of summertime and community.

3.  Otto Goes to the Beach by Todd Parr
(First off, it is possible that this book is out of print?  If so, THE HORROR!  THE HORROR!)
Poor Otto--goofy, lovable Otto--so often feels out of place.  And even here, in the midst of a much-needed get-away, Otto struggles to find a like-minded friend.  He loses his shorts, is mocked by a cat, and generally endures about the worst vacation ever, until--oh, happy day--someone special comes along.  More, if we're being honest, about being true to oneself than about summer, but as it takes place at the beach, undoubtedly in summer, I feel at peace with including it on this list.

4. The Boy Who Wouldn't Swim by Deb Lucke
Ideal summer reading for any child, really, but most especially for the kid who will. not. get. in. the. pool.  Any kid who fits that description will take heart while reading this story, one of a boy whose abject terror of the water prevents him from enjoying the bulk of his summer.  Kids will laugh as the boy basely taunts his sister (my kids love when he yells that someone peed in the water), but they're sure to enjoy the more sophisticated elements--notice the endpaper illustrations, for example--too. 

5.  Are We There Yet, Daddy?  by Virginia Walters (author) and S.D. Schindler (illustrator)
I may be stretching things a bit by calling this a summer book--look, after all, at the way father and son are dressed--but, by golly, it is a book about travel, and summertime's a season of travel, right?  Anyhoo . . . if your kids have ever asked the dreaded question--and you know very well what the dreaded question is--while traveling, then they'll appreciate this story of a boy's restless journey from his house to his Gramma's house.  A map helps young readers to follow the story and to learn the basics of plotting real travels. 

We'd love to hear some of your summertime favorites!  Which books will you be dog-earing during these dog-days of summer?   Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in baltimore

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

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