Bow and arrow battles in the swamp

Some of the craziest activities from our young days took place in the neighborhood marsh where dreams became real and lifelong friends were made. Among the activities we treasured were catching crayfish in the murky stream, paddling down the creek while standing in a wash tub like we were piloting old river barges, climbing the tallest trees in the woods and rocking them back and forth and having neighborhood bow and arrow fights with homemade bows and arrows made from tall weed stalks. It's a small wonder we grew up with no remaining injuries from those days and retained our eyes, fingers and health.

Of all these adventures the bow and arrow fights were perhaps the most dangerous. Each of us would craft a bow from a skinny sapling and string it with heavy twine. Then cut stalks from tall dry weeds and notch them so they could be used for arrows. When the designated time arrived we would divide into two sides and start walking through the swamp grass looking for the other team. Then we would shoot at each other until one side was wiped out or gave out of arrows. This might compare somewhat to modern day paint ball wars where two teams battle it out until one side is wiped out.

The old marsh has been gone for some time now since our grown up neighbor decided to dig a trench and "drain the swamp". Gone with it are millions and millions of mosquitoes, all the crayfish and tadpoles that became part of our many adventures and the source of much learning and contentment. Life is perhaps much safer and saner now, but the adventures of our youth brought endless hours of excitement, building friendship and learning how to survive in a world of constant change where very little remains from the past and the "small town" spirit that fueled our youth and fed our imagination.