Springy

While driving around the area we have found one location that is always frequented by people pulled over on the side of the road with empty milk jugs, juice bottles or whatever empty container they can carry. We've always been quite curious as to what these people are doing because the location leaves a lot to be desired; run down houses, a nearly dried up creek bed, trash lying around, etc. We have figured they must be getting water from somewhere but we never had the courage to actually stop and figure it out with all the kids in tow. Last week hubby and I stopped while the kids were at school to scope it out.

As it turns out, there is a natural spring that has been running since anyone can remember and all of these people come to bottle their own water. It must be relatively safe or there would be many sick people in this city! So we looked it up online after talking to the gentleman at the spicket that day and then told the kids about it. Who knew such cool history was all around us?! We emptied a milk jug and told the kids we were going to fill it up with the spring water. We had shown them the article and discussed the history and they were quite excited to see this "natural spring." When we arrived they were less than impressed. Jacob says "In this dumpy place, we are getting water?" Emily commented on the trash and Matthew piped in with one of his brutally honest comments "I am NOT drinking water from a trashy place like this!" Then they walked down the hill and met an older man filling up many jugs and he changed their minds. He told them the spring has run since he was a kid and never slows down (it has been channeled through a pipe and now comes out of a small brick building). He told them it has been tested and it is the cleanest water in Georgia and has NO chemicals in it. The kids instantly changed their minds.

The kids have always liked water but now all we hear at meal time is "I want the best water in Georgia to drink!" I still haven't got past the idea that this "clean" water is surrounded by a dumpy area and pours out of piping that has been in place for at least 50 years. What is growing in that pipe? I haven't even tried the water. I do believe the water has been tested and as the article states it was even bottled at one time but it doesn't help my "ick factor."