Dive In

Cool off in some of the South's beloved public pools. by Erin Z. Bass As heat advisories across the South continue today, with temperatures over 100 degrees in several places, Deep South suggests a surefire way to cool off. Head out to your local community pool and dive in! Community pools have long been a respite from the heat in summertime, and I remember spending many a day at the "Town Club" pool while growing up. Most cities have at least one, but some, like Austin, Texas, have many to choose from. Austin's Parks and Recreation Department's Aquatic Division operates 43 public pool facilities, including Deep Eddy, the city's much-beloved public pool. The oldest swimming pool in Texas, Deep Eddy began as a swimming hole in the Colorado River. The concrete pool was built in 1915 and became the centerpiece of a resort that included a bathing beach, zip line and diving platform. Now owned by the city, Deep Eddy continues to be a favorite Austin swimming hole today, fed with clear, cold water from a hand-dug well. Proof of Deep Eddy's status in the state? The pool has a sweet tea vodka and record label named after it. (For more photos of