In Search of Water By Vicki Levin, author of Just Keep Your Panties On: A Playful Book about Food and Erotica for the Bedside Table

In Search of Water

By Vicki Levin, author of Just Keep Your Panties On: A Playful Book about Food and Erotica for the Bedside Table  

We bought this older, beat up house for the luscious land it sits upon. A simple, grassy two acres abutting a 50 acre gulch that took our breath away. We knew the moment we stepped foot on it that we’d have the peace, privacy and serenity for which we had been seeking. As naturalists, this was the ultimate parcel.
As the whirlwind facelift took form on the house, we’d lament that we hadn’t had any time to cruise down the slopes towards the bottom of the gulch. Two ravines come together just adjacent to our parcel and in the rainforest—that means water. Somewhere. As the heavy spring rains hit we discovered serious drainage problems with the property but also that we could hear the raging torrent of streams below us. This held promise.
 As a seeker of sensory indulgences, being in a natural setting is first and foremost. Be it a long ocean swim in the early morning hours, or a surf session on Maui’s North shore, the outdoor physicality of my activities energizes and soothes me all at the same time. Add in the lush greenery of the rainforest with balmy breezes and I have a recipe for shared pleasures.
Recently I rallied a few virile men with machetes to begin the search for water down in the gulch. Armed with great attitudes and suited up in long pants, boots and hats, we were off. Ranging in age from 50 to 70, Ron, Dan and Bob escorted me down a steep incline, bushwhacking our way to the bottom, cutting as we went (okay, they cut, I went). My vision was a swimming hole, a sunny spot to dry off and, if the goddesses should smile upon me, a waterfall to tumble upon my shoulders as post-work therapy on a hot gardening day. Arriving to a very small streambed, we followed the flow as best we could, continuing to review where we had come down the hill and where we might find it better to go back up.
 With another 100 feet of walking the larger stream was upon us. As it changed direction we found ourselves standing on a small rocky beach (overgrown with awapuhi (ginger), a 20 foot diameter shallow pool at the bend (enough to lay around in and float) and, believe or not, a five foot waterfall to sit under (with appropriate rock seat just under the waterline). We stood there grinning like thieves at our find.
 Of course, while stripping our muddy clothes off to plunge into the cool waters, we couldn’t help but notice the mosquitoes. Small kind, but numerous. I glanced around noting where more sun on the pool could be created with some chainsaw action on a future visit. More sun = less bugs. We swam, alligator style, down the stream a bit to see where it led, but fallen trees had us turning back for the time being.
 The waters were cool and clear with just a dusting of leaf litter on the surface. The sun streaked down through the heavy tree canopy that included Hawaiian tree ferns within eye view. The smiling continued all around as we dunked our heads under and felt the waterfall cascade onto us.

 Once our swim was complete and clothing back on, the boys became crazed machete masters once again as they hacked back the wild awapuhi to make more beachhead space for future picnics. We agreed that a chainsaw party was needed for the next go-around. Heading back up the hillside we uncovered a much easier access and the machetes were flyin’ as we ascended to find our humble home just ahead. A private swim hole walking distance from our back door. Lucky we live Hawai’i. www.vickilevin.com Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com