Summer Freed

This contributor to the Voices for the Lake exhibit at ECHO responded to the prompt: Think about a healthy lake, how would you describe it?

One day a small, active, smily boy ran out of his backdoor, it slammed behind him and he was free to explore. The blue water spread out in front of him...wide and clear...full of opportunities.
First he scrampled down the rocky path that led to the shoreline. The air was clean smelling with a hint of fresh lake water mixed in. It was a smell he was so familiar with, and it filled him up with anticipation. He kicked off his flip flops and carefully navigated the slippery slate. Finally the cool, clear water sooth his hot toes and he felt so joyful that wooped, "Yeah!! That feels good!"
(That's the way a healthy lake should make you feel!!)