As grandparents, Patricia and I have been blessed with Irish Creek passing across our property in Burke County. A favorite summertime ritual began with our youngest of eight grandchildren enjoying these cool waters building rock dams, floating with inner tubes, racing homemade boats and simply splashing each other. Priceless memories now that they have outgrown our special “swimming” hole—but who knows—maybe a great-grandchild will rediscover Irish Creek one day.

Larry Clark, Morganton, a member of Rutherford EMC