March 19, 2024

Column: On Bushong Pond

Nestled in a private corner of Poweshiek County, there is a place that is the picture of peace and tranquility. It is a place that could easily be missed if one didn’t know where to look.

The glittering body of water sits on a lush, green patch of the Earth, surrounded by farmland on all sides. As your tires crunch along the gravel path, you are met with a dome shaped island positioned in the northern area of the body of water that dominates much of the space. The island is complete with a wooden bridge, which allows someone to walk across and pretend they are cut off from the rest of the world. It’s a beautiful spot with the crystal clear water gleaming in the sunlight.

Bushong Pond is a private oasis that belongs to my great uncle, and it has been a mecca for my family since I was a little girl. I don’t go there nearly as often as other family members who live in the area, but it is a spot that will always have special meaning to me. All of the warm summer days spent at the pond are treasured memories I’ll not soon forget.

Many of those came from the fun we had aboard the paddle boat. The old, blue vessel has long since been retired, but I can still remember the feeling of floating on the water, the sounds of splashes as my riding partner and I cut through the water, and the moving of pedals in perfect sync. It was a big deal when you were old enough to be trusted to venture around the entire pond, without an adult passenger aboard. You were able to explore every inch of the water, out of sight of the those who remained ashore.

Other features no longer at the pond were the small wading pools by the shelter house. I spent hours splashing around in those cement enclosed areas. It was our own private swimming hole. As we got older, my cousins and I could brave the cement “diving board” at the end of the pools. We would jump off and splash into deeper waters. Those wading pools have been covered by a large wooden deck that gives you a serene view as if you were sitting on top of the pond as the planks takes you over the pond water below. It’s wonderful and allows adult to sit down on a wooden bench and stare out at the waters beyond. The diving board remains, and it’s fun to see the youngest generation dive into the same areas we did.

The deck wasn’t the only new feature of the pond. Perhaps my favorite addition was the bench swing. You can sit with your friends or snuggle up with your loved one and sway at an easy pace, letting the sounds of the area carry you away from your troubles in the fast paced world. It lets you slow down, even if it’s just for a moment.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fun we had fishing at the pond. It has always been well stocked, and as kids, we would all bring our poles and try our luck fishing in between swims in the pool. I honestly can’t remember if I caught a fish there as a kid, but I know I sure tried.

As much as I love the place, it seems the only time I get to Bushong Pond now is for our annual Fourth of July celebration. The peace and tranquility of being out in the Iowa countryside is replaced by laughing children, chattering adults and the loud explosions from the fireworks display. With my love of fishing rekindled thanks to my fiancé, Tim, we have started to bring rods and reels to those celebrations. We get some fishing in before fireworks scare all the fish away.

Bushong Pond has been and always will be a special place to me. I’m so lucky I know it’s exits.

Contact Pam Rodgers at prodgers@newtondailynews.com