We haven't seen an official analysis of this summer's temperatures, but some people believe we have had a cooler than normal summer with the exception of a few extremely hot days. Among the exceptions were Saturday through Monday when the area was trapped in a bake oven.
Many area swimming pools were closed but the one at Hebron was open both Saturday and Sunday and was probably packed for private pools were certainly being used.
Sunday afternoon, an Express reporter returning to Superior from another assignment, saw the pool at the North Idaho residence of Matt and Becky Gatlin and Stuart Alsup was in use and stopped to visit with the occupants.
Becky Gatlin provided information about the pool. She said after weeks when the water was too cool for comfortable swimming she was enjoying the weekend's sizzling weather and a pool with water temperature of 82 degrees or above. Others in the pool agreed the weather was perfect for the pool life. When the photographer arrived, they were floating in the pool but prefered to have their picture taken while standing in the pool.
This is the second summer for the above ground pool located near the northeast corner of the split level home constructed in the 1950s.
Becky said she prefers the water temperature to be in the range of 80 to 87 degrees. The pool does not have a heater and instead relies on the sun to warm the water. The owners tried a blanket to hold the heat in at night but found it was more work covering and uncovering the circular pool than they cared to expend.
The Gatlin pool is one of the area's largest private pools, measuring 33 feet in diameter with a depth of 54 inches. It proved to be a challenge to install.
First they had to do dirt work to prepare a level site in a steeply sloping area. The first plan was just to place it on the leveled ground but when that didn't work they had to pour a concrete slab to set the pool on. Erection was a challenge and required the help of 12 people to complete. Thankfully, the pool doesn't have to be taken down and stored away in the winter.
Becky said the pool has delivered rewards. The Gatlins now have lots of friends who accept an invitation to visit the pool.
This year a wooden deck was added to the pool. The water is filtered and tested regularly, and fresh water added to make up for evaporation. When dry, it takes three days to fill the pool.
The pool is also popular with the birds. The birds don't seem to mind the chemical treatment and have found it a good place to get a drink during this current drought.
Women in the pool when the photographer arrived were Becky Gatlin, Roberta Crawford and Lisa Davis. Another arrived after the pictures were taken.
Reader Comments(0)