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37 swimming holes in Mass.

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor July 18, 2008 11:13 AM

walden.jpg
I don't want to be here. At work, I mean. It's going to be hot and sunny today. And if you're reading this right now, during normal work hours, we are likely pretty simpatico.
I'm thinking about water. Actually I'm thinking about beer and water. I'm thinking about a sweat-soaked July evening and looking at an orange fingernail moon outside Mike's Westview in Amherst. Double-digit collections of ponies of Rolling Rock left behind.
A short hop to Puffer's Pond. And swimming. A half dozen of us. And we met others.
SO.
The past is. But if you have fond memories of old-fashioned, swimming holes, the folks at swimming holes.info have taken it upon themselves to compile lists of such places around this great land of ours.
In the Bay State, they list 37, with most of them concentrated in Western Mass. and around the Cape. They offer you directions to each place, along with descriptions, fees (if any), whether swimming is officially sanctioned (not necessarily a legal distinction), when the listing was last updated, and whether bathing suits are "Required," "Optional," or "Customary" (sadly they make no distinction about time of day for such niceties).


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17 comments so far...

  1. Hi, the problem with 37 swimming holes!

    We have an entire coastline that is 70% private. In 1640 The Mass. Gov. changed the law from mean high tide to mean low tide, meaning you can't use most of the coastline. We need Gov. Patrick to repeal the 1640 law. The State of Mass did not protect my right to use the tidal area of our coastline. So now we need to repeal that law.

    If we can repeal the 1913 "Marriage law" we can repeal the 1640 law that keeps most beaches private.

    Thank you.

    Posted by MIchael Hatton July 18, 08 02:14 PM

  1. There is just one problem with your argument Michael Hatton. You compare private property to human beings. I realize that you are still sour that you can't have slaves like your ancestors did. Sorry, you will need to just need get over it, you and your ilk. You are on the losing team, the sooner you realize it the better

    Posted by Boston1973 July 18, 08 04:49 PM

  1. Type your comment here...

    Why has the Commonwealth closed, placed parking bans, and otherwise obstructed citizens from using swimming holes in the State Forests?

    Posted by Pfaustus July 18, 08 06:49 PM

  1. erm... I don't see how Mr. Hatton's comments have any bearing on, or deserve any reference or comparison to, slavery.
    That said -- Mike's Westview!!! ahhh. the good ole' days. I do so miss Puffers pond & "the VIew" (pre Baba Wawa daytime talk-show term)

    Posted by UMASS94 July 18, 08 07:09 PM

  1. M. Hatton: You are correct Sir! Open wide the beaches!

    Someone recently said : "Swimming in a lake is like wearing someone else's underwear."

    Regards,

    G-Man

    Posted by G-Man July 18, 08 08:18 PM

  1. Ah, yes, downing several at Mike's, then trying to find a decent place to swim, Puffers was a no no, green pond out towards Shutesbury or was it over in Belchertown? Amherst was a lousy place to find water. The stream coming down to Cushman had some neat falls- anyway, Mike's was better than Barsie's or Grandy's on a hot day.
    Maybe something better is there now, 55 years later.

    Posted by Al Taylor July 18, 08 09:55 PM

  1. Boston1973 it is obvious you are just another angry black.....I think you are the one that has something to "get over" ........Good Luck with that!

    Posted by Typical W.P. July 19, 08 08:48 AM

  1. I agree...natural law holds that the coastline is public property and not private. The problem is the wealthiest people with the most sway on the hill own those very beaches. Its even worse in CT

    Posted by JL McKee ESQ July 19, 08 09:24 AM

  1. I've been to Puffers pond after enjoying a few cold ones on hot nights in Amherst. Some UMASS madness at its best! And I don't know what Boston 1973 is yapping about.

    Posted by A-Train July 19, 08 11:02 AM

  1. What is a swimming hole?

    Posted by mc July 19, 08 10:03 PM

  1. Yeah, theres a comparison slaves and beaches....umm boston, I guess you cant get over it if you have to post something about slaves in a beach forum...

    Posted by Boston1968 July 20, 08 09:08 AM

  1. Yeah, theres a comparison slaves and beaches....umm boston, I guess you cant get over it if you have to post something about slaves in a beach forum...

    Posted by Boston1968 July 20, 08 09:37 AM

  1. Forget the swimming hole.....I would like to go back in time and spend another night at Mike's Westview.....

    Posted by Paul Umass 1990 July 20, 08 01:25 PM

  1. I can remember even the disgusting William Bulger said that the private beaches ought to be eliminated (apparently with all his loot, he never got one) but it comes down to the law: taking someone's property, or telling them that they no longer have the exclusive right to use it, isn't legal unless fair compensation is paid. And we're broke. So that's that.

    If anyone wants to liberate the private beaches with a plan of civil disobedience, get started. You'll be arrested and sued, but after you win we'll all call you a hero. Just don't ask to get your legal fees paid.

    My, I'm in a cynical mood today.

    Posted by Tei Tetua July 20, 08 02:42 PM

  1. i thought there was some mass law that said no one can own water, but likewise i do know that as long as you have a line with a hook your trolling and if your in the water nobody can tell you that you cannot be there.

    Posted by The Gardener July 21, 08 12:38 AM

  1. Ahh yes, Puffers Pond. Throwing the disc and having a good old UMass style time. Great memories that I can barely remember!!

    Posted by Jay Rak July 21, 08 12:03 PM

  1. alas, mike's westview is no more...It is now "The Harp"

    Posted by amherst native July 21, 08 12:59 PM
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