Heaven to some of us might be as simple as legs dangling at the edge of a lake, letting ripples of H2O wash up over the shin to the knee, while absorbing the sounds of nature.
And there are always the thrill-seekers, who seek out a cliff or dock or some other object from which their bodies can hurtle.
Whatever your preference, here are some places to cool down during the Fourth of July weekend:
Make a splash at Indy water attractions
Konrad Marshall
Metromix staffJuly 1, 2009
Mississinewa Lake
5613 E. Mississinewa Dam Road - Peru765-473-5946
This 3,210-acre reservoir is nestled into the farmlands of North Central Indiana, and it boasts a large wooded picnic area with grills and a small concession stand, along with an open beach. It will take almost two hours to get here from Indy, but to help make the trip worthwhile, there is also a nearby campground with a basketball court, horseshoes and Frisbee golf course. By the lake's shore, visitors will find a beach volleyball court, as well as two fishing piers and four boat-launch ramps. The name of the lake was derived from the Miami Indian word "Mis-chis-in-wah," meaning water on a slope. For those who'd like to do more than swim, the property is adjacent to the Meshingomesia Miami Indian Cemetery, as well as the Frances Slocum State Forest.
Monon Center Outdoor Aqua Park at Central Park
1195 Central Park Drive West - Carmel(317) 848-7275
The Outdoor Aqua Park is part of the new (and grand, too), expansive (and expensive) Monon Center -- a $55 million, 161-acre playground. The center flanks the Monon Trail, and is bridged by a walkway, but it is the west side of the facility that gets all the attention. It's home to a zero-depth activity pool with a beach-like entrance, interactive water features, a water play area, a six-lane 25-yard-long lap pool, a water slide, a sand playground, concession stands and most-notably, a cool flowing Lazy River.
Splash Island Family Water Park
651 Vestal Road - Plainfield(317) 839-7665
Splash Island Family Waterpark at the Plainfield Recreation and Aquatic Center is the perfect suburban public-owned place for residents and visitors to relax on a hot summer day. It has the correct tools to keep tots entertained, and that makes for a calming afternoon for adults. The water park is on just over three acres and includes three water slides, an interactive play area for all ages featuring kiddie slides, water jets, ropes and water guns, a gentle winding river, a lily pad crossing, two pulsating vortexes and all the deck space you could want for sunbathing. The complex has a lap pool with an attached diving well featuring two one-meter springboards. The summer will see frequent visits by folks from Radio Disney, as well as various corporate and high school mascots.
Clements Canoes Outdoors Center
8291 W SR 234 - Waveland765-435-7285
Traveling 5 miles in city traffic can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. Either way, those miles go by a lot more stressfully on four tire tubes than on one. Floating 5 miles on an inner tube in Sugar Creek, south of Indy, will take you between four and five hours -- it all depends on how much you want to play. You could simply lie back and let the current move you over the shale, through to the sandy-bottomed finish, as you take in the natural corridor of Pine Hills Nature Reserve. Or you can rent an extra tube for your picnic basket/cooler, and stop for lunch at one of the beaches along the way. Either way, Clements will transport you from its office to the put-in point; from there, it's up to you.
White Rock Park
7080 Decatur County Road 750 East - St. Paul765-525-3483
It takes just a bit less than an hour to get to White Rock Park from Indy, which likely explains why the spot has been so popular for so long -- the perfect combination of seclusion and convenience. Set up camp at one of the shaded areas for the day, to grill out or just roll out a picnic blanket. The main attraction, though, is the three quarries that run along the Flat Rock River. The area is safe for swimming (although there is no lifeguard), but many people come for the fun of leaping into the water from a 10-meter platform or two lower ones, or using a rope swing and a zip line. Or, you can just repose on a raft and develop the perfect tan, which can be put to good use in one of the bikini contests slated for July 15 and 23 and Aug. 12 (winner takes home $100).
What other people are saying...
joeshearer from Noblesville - July 02, 2009 at 8:04 AM
I've not been to any of these places. I'll have to check them out...especially the one in Carmel.
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