My parents live just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Illinois River in Northeastern Oklahoma. They've lived in that house for a dozen years, and I lived there from Junior High until when I left for college- and even then, I came back for holidays and summers. Now, I officially live in Fayetteville (I even have an Arkansas driver's license now) but I love going to visit as much as I can.

When I was younger, we swam in the river every single day in the summer. At least a few times a year, we would take little inflatable rafts a few miles up the river and float home. These photos are of Flat Rock, the 'beach' (above the water) right near where my parents live. I love it. Isn't it gorgeous?