Ah, summer. A time for vacations, outdoor concerts and camping.

And who could forget swimming?

While some people enjoy swimming year-round, diving blissfully into both biting and blistering waters, I’m more of a seasonal swimmer. A summer swimmer, to be more specific. After all, the hot, steamy summers here in Appalachia practically beg you to find some aquatic relief.

Growing up in rural West Virginia, pools — especially those of the public variety — were few and far between. Instead, we had favorite spots along creeks and lakes — the local freshwater swimming holes.

We also had incredible immune systems...

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