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We live in a blurred section of West Virginia, between the "Mountain Lakes Region" and "The Mid-Ohio Valley."

It may be an hour to just about anywhere, but it is only 35 minutes to Sutton Lake.

Bee Run at Sutton Lake has boat docks, a swimming beach, playground, picnic tables, showers, etc.

We normally wander the path around the point from the beach and spread our blankets on the rocks where it's a little less crowded.

Yes, boys and girls, the time has come for me to put on the neon green string bikini that my husband bought for me.

Lord, help me.

This new neon green one is a replacement for the yellow one I have been wearing for four years - you know, the one that has the saggy butt because it is all stretched out.

I am as white as a china doll, and am facing the first serious shaving excursion since last August.

Oh, Lord. Help me.

Frank thinks I look great in a bikini.

I don't think I look bad, but I am nearly 40 years old...

Either way, we love it at the lake.

The waters are blue and clear, and we paddle around on our rafts (which have neon green and yellow, by the way) and lay on our towells (yellow) and sleep in the sun.

Sometimes I put on my goggles (yellow) and watch the fish swimming beneath the surface.

You see, I'm afraid of water I can't see through.

As a matter of fact, we went to Bee Run for two years before I ever got in the water deeper than my knees.

As a River Rat, I am a little frustrated by this phobia which I developed about ten years ago.

Someone I knew was shot and dumped in the river, and floated 147 miles downstream before they found his body.

At some point, I realized that he floated through (past) the local swimming hole...

That did it.

There have been dead bodies in that murky river water, with fish-eaten eyes and brains leaking out of a hole in the head.

I can't swim there.

Eewwww.

But the waters of Sutton Lake are clear and blue and beautiful.That's why we go there.

And if I'm out there on my raft, or paddling around, and I get that spooky feeling - I just pull my goggles down and look to see if there's anything in my water space besides me.

And if there is, hopefully, it will be blinded -

either by my bright white skin,

or by the neon green suit.

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Want to know more about DeLaHaye? Visit her web site at WV Travelers , or her online store at Impecunious Impressions, or read her weekly column at The Calhoun Chronicle.