It was a very Merry Christmas at Devil's Pool

December 25th is a day for exchanging gifts, cheer, and good will. All of these things were in abundant supply as we trekked to Devil's Pool with our friends Prather Ann, her brother Franklin and his girlfriend Glenna. The weather itself was "gift" number 1. It was as if God had read the previous blog post (before I even wrote it, which I am sure he can do, that silly guy).

Glenna was the camera woman and as she was seated up on top of the Northern rock face Andrew Gary and I ascended the upper rocks to the West so as to present more visually delightful jumps into the beauitful pool. The higher jumps and the return of Prather Ann led to the "cheer" for me.

Then, right as we were getting ready to take our plunges, an extended family of 8 or so, out on a Christmas hike, came around the Western ridge and stood face to face with Andrew Gary in his fantastically floral bathing suit. Quite obviously, he asked, "You guys going for a swim?" This was an example of the "good will" the day was delivering.

Anyway, the video says it all much more beautifully than I can write it (thanks to Glenna!!!)

December 18th - Devil's Pool is Really Cool written up on PHILEBRITY.com

So...this morning I awoke to a text message from Andrew saying that our little blog had been written up on Philebrity.com.

This happened thanks to Andrew Gary Baker's astute brother Jude who apparently reads Philebrity and saw that they were looking for submissions to their "Places we can't understand" segment.

We are quite honored to have been written up, however, they simply call us "two buds," which kind of makes us feel a little gay about the whole thing to be perfectly frank. So...we need more people to come to Devil's Pool and make it not just something for "two buds."

Now don't get me wrong...this in no way should detract from the amazing courage and commitment of the four young ladies who have already joined us in our Devil's Pool Winter Wonderland. Nicole, Jenny, Prather Ann, and Becca, we salute you, and our new found Philebrity status is also your Philebrity status.

December 15th, 2008 -- Really warm and some questions answered

Today the temperature shot up into the sixties. I walked outside at 9:30 and I thought, "Wow...this would be a great day to go to Devil's Pool." So, I called Andrew Gary Baker and we made plans to go. We did not have a cameraperson in tow though so this will just be a short story.

We got down there around 11am. The sun was still hiding behind the trees on the eastern ridge, so we discussed the appropriate time to travel to Devil's Pool in December. We figured that we had jumped the gun a little on account of the amazing warmth surrounding us. But, this miscalculation did not deter us from going ahead with the plan. Since Andrew had the honors on Sunday it was my turn to start us off. I always take an extra long time to take the initial plunge. The moment when I stand in shorts at the edge of the rock completely dry looking down at the water is the only time during the excursions where I think to myself, "Why the fuck are you doing this?" Then it ussually takes me a number of minutes to realize that no matter how much I ask myself that question the only option for answering it is to simply jump in. During this time I make chit-chat with Andrew, trying to ignore the fact that I am being a wimp. And the air temperature was so warm that I could stand there for a while summoning the courage.

Another aspect of the initial-plunge-fear that I have yet to dicuss is the "No Dive" phenomenon. Since last summer I have been quite proficient at diving from most heights and comfortable with it. However, when the water is as cold as it is in December I have realized that I ussually take the initial water entry as a jump instead of a dive. I am afraid that I will go too deep in the cold water. This is utter nonsense though, so, on Monday, amidst the warmth of the air and the kind encouragement of Andrew Gary, I took my first jump as a dive and proved to myself that it is all okay.

Long story short though...the air was so warm that Andrew and I both took multiple dives into the water (Oh...I forgot, Andrew got his dive back. He had had a bad dive experience and since has been just jumping but he reemployed the dive as a water entry technique Monday [good job Andrew!!!]). Additionally a group of school kids were across the Wissahickon from Devil's Pool and watched from a distance probably saying things to themselves like, "Holy Mackeral...those guys are crazy!!!" or "For the love of Jesus, they must be freezing" or "Why didn't I bring my bathing suit?"

Anyway...the water was cold, the air was warm and our bodies thanked us for the rest of the day for taking the time to go swimming in December, for the third day in a row. We are heading down to Cape May Friday and Saturday to jump in the ocean too if anyone wants to come. And this coming Sunday we will be hitting Devil's Pool again.

Now, onto a few questions that have been asked since the first blog:

QUESTION #1

Peter Farnum, from New York, NY: How many people have died at Devil's Pool?

Well, Peter, After a pretty exhaustive google search I have not found any recent articles on anyone that has died at Devil's Pool. However, I am sure that many people have been seriously injured over the years, IF they make the unwise decision to attempt a jump from the bridge above the pool. You can see the bridge in the photo below. We DO NOT suggest that anyone should ever climb on that bridge or jump from it. And you will never see us doing that.



However, I do know many, many people who have not died at Devil's Pool...maybe you should become one of those people when you are home for the Holidays.

QUESTION #2

Pat Burns, from Ithaca, NY: Are there snakes at Devil's Pool?

Well, Pat, there are two species of snakes that are found along the Wissahickon river a little north of Wissahickon Woods, or Valley Green (as it is more commonly known) according to a study by Marlin Corn. These are the Northern Ringneck Snake and the Northern Black Racer. I have seen a snake on a few occasions while swimming at Devil's Pool, but only during the summer and fall. I am not sure what kind of snake it was. Also, I take a miniature trouser snake with me everytime, but during the winter I bring a dwarf miniature trouser snake.

More questions will be answered in the upcoming blogs. Thanks for reading.

December 14th - Post #2 - Written by Andrew Gary Baker

Hello to Rodman and all the "Devils Pool Is Really Cool" readership. I want to update all of us on todays gnarly adventure.

First things first however, Sean Kenney asks "When is the next sacrifice at the devil's pool?" Umm, Sean this is contingent upon the schedules of a few people, I will get back to you.

The temp today climbed to 44 degrees, 13 degrees warmer than yesterday air degrees wise. Shortly we will be able to report the water temp as well (we are currently working on this). Our dear friends Cara, Christine, and Nicole were along with Roddy and I. Nicole took the plunge!! I feel it is important for me to note that the newcomer is the most important person at Devils Pool. the initiation of the Devil's Pool virgin is inspirational for all involved and reminds us of who we were before Devil's Pool became a ceaseless source of beauty and peace in our own lives, thus Roddy's and my own devotion to Devil's Pool pilgrimages.

Cara, yesterday's camerawoman, offered bountiful encouragement as did Christine, today's camerawoman and apparent burgeoning commentator (Christine, I see Meet The Press in your future).

It is redundant but nonetheless true to say the experience was, amazing! The words do not come easily to describe the deliciousness of the process. Despite this fact, I'm going to give a brief account of my own pleasure to serve as a meager substitute until you come yourself for a wintery dip:

Poised for a dive above the waters on a cold blustery day I feel unconscious fears brimming to the surface of my physical being, unresolved tensions express themselves in bitter pangs of anxiety. I feel lonely and separated from the seemingly cold, hard world which surrounds, so full of residents disjointed by passionate feelings of ethnic superiority, passionate nationalism, fanatical religious ideologies etc. the differences between myself and others appear overwhelming, endless and I'm bewildered by it all. I summon the courage to let go of this captivating fear with a leap into an ever-inviting pool below. The water feels ice cold and exhilaration streams through my veins. Beneath the surface of Devil's Pool an extraordinary transformation is occurring, I am welcomed into an glorious realm of union with the waters flowing through the pool. As i climb out, my body may be shivering slightly, but it may not only be resulting from the frigid waters but also evidence of the boundless love i feel for the oneness of creation. As I depart with friends, I feel we are part of (rather than apart from) the encapsulating woods and maybe, just maybe, we can carry a bit of the serenity Devil's Pool has so freely given to us out into the surrounding world.

As much as the devilspool experience is an earthy celebration of the natural world we all are part of, it too is an indispensable ingredient of my spiritual practice.

Peace out, and before I forget, Sean, any free time upcoming?
Andrew Gary Baker

Welcome to all who want to jump in Devil's Pool

This is the beginning of the Devil's Pool blog. It will be moderated by me, Roddy von Seldeneck, with regular contributions from the esteemed and vivifying Andrew Gary Baker.

We will answer some questions that may or may not be frequently asked.....

Question #1 -- Roddy, can I have your phone number?

Answer -- No....well, maybe.

Question #2 -- Are you guys crazy or what?

Answer -- Not at all....you are the one who is crazy for NOT jumping in Devil's Pool when it is really cold. Nothing feels better. Except when i JIZZ IN MY PANTS.

Question #3 -- Where is Devil's Pool?

Answer -- That is for us to know and for you to find out...preferably by sending us an email and asking us if we will take you.

Question #4 -- When is the best time to go to Devil's Pool?

Answer -- The moment we get an email from you asking us if we will take you there....because anytime is the best time to go to Devil's Pool. Today it was 31 degrees outside....what did we do? We went to Devil's Pool and jumped in. Watch the video below to learn more.