Originally from Moments by Valerie, a collection of memories (1961-1983), written in 1986 and presented to Larry on their first anniversary.
Valerie and Vicky, Illinois, 1963
There is an area around Wedron, Illinois, on the Fox River, that is supported by a silica sand and glass industry. The sand is located in deposits all around the river. We had one favorite place near a tiny town called Millington where a steep hill had eroded away, revealing a huge pile of white sand. At the bottom of the pile was a small pond that was gradually being filled in as the sand shifted down the hillside. It was such a contrast between the dense green woods and rich black soil, and the pristine whiteness of that little clearing that I used to feel a thrill just seeing it. What was even better was to roll and jump and just sit in it, as it was a very fine, silky, powdery sand. It was like having our own private miniature tropical island beach.
