A Day at Kelly Park
After a week, they find themselves entering Kelly Park for an afternoon together. Kelly Park is a nice little state park nestled among many large trees. A winding road leads up to the main entrance where a little shack with two park rangers inside, guards the entry to the park. Steve and Jan drive up in her nice car. A Ranger steps up to her window.
They talk, and she hands him two dollars. She drives in. Many parking spaces are spread throughout the area, separated by trees, picnic tables and play areas. A concession stand is off to the right, and sidewalks wind and run throughout the area. Jan pulls into a free space, and parks the car. She and Steve get out of the car, grab towels, a cooler and picnic basket, and head over to a nearby picnic table.
“Wow, this is such a cute place, Steve! I never knew about it,” Jan says ecstatically. “Oh, that’s pretty normal. Most people don’t. When you live in the shadow of the mouse, anything less than a theme park usually doesn’t rate too highly. This is the place, my grandparents used to take me when I was young,” Steve answers. “Okay, so, what do we do first?” Jan asks, rubbing her hands together.
“Let’s get wet! A couple swims in the spring, and then I’ll cook us up some lunch,” Steve answers, with equal enthusiasm. “A spring? They have a spring here? I mean, it’s a real natural spring?” Jan says excitedly. “Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.” Steve chimes in and announces. Steve and Jan slip off their clothes to reveal bathing suits.
Steve takes Jan’s hand and they walk off toward the concession stand. Later, they make their way to Rock Springs. Rock Springs is a long and rambling bayou of swiftly running water. It starts up at a roped off cave, flows through trees and shrubs, under a footbridge, pass an artificial beach, and on through more trees down to another footbridge.
Steve leads Jan along a wooden boardwalk up to the cave. Many people of all ages run and play in the water and on the boardwalk, all in bathing suits. Steve and Jan reach the cave. The water looks cool and clear—very inviting. “Wow, that water is like... so clear! How is that possible?” Jan asks. Steve points at the cave. “That.