summer fun / By Hank Sims

Splashdown: 83-year-old Albert Miller has your swim spot covered

(May 24, 2007)  When it comes time to head to the river, most people in the Humboldt Bay Area — Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville — automatically think Willow Creek. The Trinity River is one of the mightiest in the region (especially since the powers-that-be decreased diversions to the Central Valley a few years back) and when you get that far inland in July you are definitively reminded that it is summer. Days of 100-plus degrees are the norm. Tish Tang, Devil’s Elbow, the South Fork — you learn about them in college and they stay with you for the rest of your life. For good reason.

For some reason, though, the guru of local swimming spots — Albert B. Miller of Fortuna — doesn’t touch the Willow Creek area in his Guide to Natural Swimming Holes , now in its third edition. Perhaps it’s because he simply hasn’t gotten to it yet. The 83-year-old Miller says that he’s got 20 new tips to check out, but the cost of gasoline has discouraged him from hitting the road.

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Miller’s pamphlet was born of two things: a lifelong love of swimming and a column suggestion from the editors of the Senior News , where he has been writing since retiring to the area from Palo Alto 10 years ago . “I got a lot of energy from doing this job — I enjoy doing it,” Miller says.

It’s not entirely easy to get your hands on the Guide . Fevered swim fans pass around copies like samizdat . If you’re interested, Miller tells us he’s expecting another shipment from the printers at any moment, and you can call or e-mail him if you’d like to order your copy. He’s reachable at 725-2791 or millertype@sbcglobal.net.

However, as a sort of a tease for the real thing, Miller decided that he’d share three of his favorite secret spots with Journal readers. So if you’re looking to avoid the crowded scene on the Trinity, or if the plus-100 temperatures are a little too much for you, here’s some suggestions.

One thing, though — follow Miller’s advice and be river-safe, especially if you’ve got kids in tow. Local rivers can be surprisingly powerful, and it’s the rare year that doesn’t claim the lives of one or two swimmers. Exercise caution. That goes triple on the mighty Trinity. Tip: Many businesses in river country, including Bob’s Shopping Center in Willow Creek, loan out lifejackets for free.

That said, here’s a sampling of Miller’s favorite spots.

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