It happens everywhere. There is a cove on Merrymeeting that used to have a rope swing. For at least 30+ years, lake residents enjoyed the use of the swing. It was a fun place for families to go, a place to meet other neighbors on the lake, and good, clean fun. Steep slope that allowed you to climb high for a great swing, and slope that continued beyond the waterline insuring deep water so no one got hurt.
Unfortunately, a few years ago, the swing was cut down. After being put back up several times by others, the land owners finally cut down the trees so it could not be restored. The story was that the owners had been convinced that they would be liable if anyone was hurt...most likely correct information.
Many years later, it is still missed....
The swing will always be a part of one of my most memorable lake memories.
17 years old, in a boat with several of my buddies, watching a similar boat full of similarly aged females using the swing. One healthy passenger in the female boat reached the apex of her swing, let go, suspended 15 feet over the water, arms high in the air, when her bikini top let go....
As Bob Hope would say, "Thanks for the...."
