One thing I've been missing from my environment are rivers; I couldn't find any decent body of water on the map. I figured, okay you can't have a house, a well, a mountain, and then also a river. We can't have everything in life.
However, on my way to town when I was taking a shortcut, I noticed a small bridge going over a canal that came from a forest. When I got off my bike, it looked like the water came from a beautiful forest stream. I decided to explore this on my way back.
Biking back, I saw a car stopped kinda close to the stream, but figured it has nothing to do with me so I park my bike, and look for a way down into the water.
I'm then joined by this weird little m*n, who starts talking to me. He says he's taking a sample of the water for scientific testing, and he has a bucket and a plastic container to prove it. I asked him what he could tell me about the quality of water then; he said it's excellent, almost drinking quality. The water stream comes from a spring in the mountains and then runs through the forest, that's why it's so clean!
I was pleased to hear that. He showed me how to get down the canal, and as soon as I got to the water I took my shoes off and got in. The water was ice cold, perfect. I was about to wade through the stream and into the forest, as far as I could, and take pictures. I said bye to the scientist man, and he asked me if I had instagram. I said no, because of course I'm taking pictures for tumblr instead.
It occured to me later that asking for instagram handle is the new 'can I have your number' and I had rejected him very cheerfully. Well he'll survive. He looked weak enough that I could break his bones if he attacked me so I wasn't worried. He did also ask me if I live close by and tried to chat to me more but I was mission oriented and ignored him. I got all info I wanted.
I waded through the stream for a while, finding beautiful little waterfalls, trees leaning down to the water, brushing the surface with leaves. Big rocks creating dams and shaded areas, patches of depth where I could lie down and just have cold water run all over me. It wasn't a river, it wasn't close to me, but it calmed down my nervous system and filled me with peace and happiness. It had little areas of sand, which I need very much. It had beautiful rocks in all colors.
The forest around it felt alive, content. The icy temperature confirmed it comes from an mountain spring, and I don't think I ever got to walk in the fresh spring water before.
I went home feeling great. Next time I can take my swimming shorts and lie in the water until I'm the same temperature. I love cold water, and this doesn't warm up with hot weather. Love you mountain spring. It's far but if I put in the extra effort, I can have it all.
