Explore IL {Bell Smith Springs}

While camping in western Kentucky we thought we’d find a few places to explore. I am not sure how Chris came across Bell Smith Springs in Illinois – a random online search from our trailer probably. Regardless, we loaded up one day and drove about 1.5 hours to a place where we had no idea what to expect. We were hot, the campsite didn’t have anywhere to swim, and Chris said it looked like water was to be found.

We entered Shawnee National Forest, lost cell service, and didn’t see many cars. Eventually we turned off the road and ended up in a parking lot with several other cars and lots of happy faces…mainly teenagers with coolers. We asked if we were in the right place and were pointed to the trail to follow.

A somewhat short hike along and across the creek led us to the people…and the rocks for jumping. After a quick assessment of the water, the rocks, and the situation as a whole we gave the kids the green light to go for it.

Before I could even get my camera out, Hudson was flying off the rock doing a front flip. His brothers quickly followed. Then came the girls and Chris.

There were 4 levels of rocks to jump off. All of my kids jumped off the first one. The oldest 4 had permission to jump off the 2nd level, but Hudson was the only one who wanted to do it. We deemed the water too shallow for the 3rd and 4th level (despite seeing others jump, we did not think they were being wise based on water depth and rock height), so no one was given permission to jump off those. Chris and I look at every opportunity as a one we can teach them a little more about having fun while being smart. The combination of fun and smart is something we want them to learn under our guidance and not leave the house and learn it in a possibly hard way.

There were scattered beer cans around the beach area. Corbett and I had a long conversation about how incredibly stupid it is to combine alcohol, rocks, and jumping into water. I’m grateful for little moments like that to say, “Hey this is a lot of fun, but it can go bad really quick when you don’t use sound judgement.”One of the many things I love about Chris is that he talks to everyone. I’m the person that gets on an airplane and puts headphones on without anything even playing – just to avoid a conversation. Chris is the guy that gets off the plane knowing the life stories of those he sat next to and chances are they were all crying at some point during the ride.

Everywhere we go – Chris meets the people. This is especially helpful when we visit new places. On this day he began a conversation with one of the guys that appeared very local and very responsible. This young man began telling Chris the stories of the area. I loved that my boys were next to Chris getting to hear firsthand accounts of some incredibly fun stories and some of the not so smart decisions teenagers have made involving jumping from these rocks. Chris and I often say we are calculated risk takers. We’ve tried from early ages to teach the kids to do the same – to not let fear keep them from going for things, but to be guided by wisdom. To climb the rock and jump, but make sure you know the water depth and any potential hazards first. As our kids were climbing and jumping, so many watching were a bit shocked to see that not just one of our kids was going for it, but all 5. A dad with a toddler daughter walked over to me and exclaimed, “Your kids are fearless!”

I just smiled.

He saw 5 fearless kids. What he didn’t and couldn’t have seen was the years of intentional training and teaching to get to that point. He didn’t see us teaching toddlers the right way to climb a rock and making them learn to get down on their own. He didn’t see us teaching teeny ones in swim diapers how to jump off the diving board. He didn’t see the crashes, the tears, or the endless hikes showing them how to navigate rough terrain. He didn’t hear the YEARS of conversations about fears or see the smiles when fears were overcome.

My kids are not fearless, but they have learned that facing fears often ends up resulting in the most fun adventures. They have learned and continue to learn alongside Chris and I that fear doesn’t have to be in control. Whether it is climbing a huge rock and jumping off, getting on stage in front of a peer, or trying a new food – fear doesn’t have to have the last word.

I’ve been asked how as a mom I can let them do things like jump off rocks or try ‘dangerous’ things. First, I will say I don’t struggle with anxiety or worry. It just isn’t my nature to worry a lot, so I know that makes it easier for me. Secondly, I’ve always enjoyed things on the adventurous side myself. If the water is warm, I am usually the first to jump off the rock. I broke several bones growing up. I’ve sprained things. Dislocated things. Ended up in the ER. Worn braces on nearly every part of my body. Physical injuries don’t scare me. Obviously, I don’t want any of my kids to get hurt, but the risk of a possible broken bone isn’t a deal breaker for me. I broke my foot once on a huge padded fold out bed – you can’t get softer than that. I figure if I can break my foot on a pillow, I can break it anywhere….so I’d rather it be doing something awesome.

Lastly – and most importantly -, as their parents we know what they are capable of and what they can handle. We cheer them on and we also pull them back when necessary. We know where they have been, what they have done, and what they have overcome. We know the difference between fears they are ready to face and fears they aren’t ready to face. We get to guide and cheer them on because we intimately know them…and are usually right there beside them jumping too.

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