Some people refuse to give up on summer.

I’m one of them.

I love to swim and snorkel in the James. I visited several sections of the river Sunday (Oct. 4) with photographer Kevin Morley to gather material for our last James River Journal installment.

At Pony Pasture Rapids, several people were wading, body surfing and swimming in the river.

After Kevin left, I got my mask and snorkel out of the car and plunged in. I would have been warmer in a pitcher of ice water.

After a few minutes,  however, I sort of got used to it—until I got really cold and had to get out. It was worth it, though. The river is low and clear now.

Was that the last plunge of summer? If the temperature climbs up to the high 70s or so sometime soon, maybe not.