The Smith River runs through Jedediah Smith State Park in northern California, just over the border from Brookings, Oregon.

Our first glimpse of this oasis came after six days of camping on the foggy Oregon coast, trapped in a tent with a toddler and a preschooler. When the sun finally broke through, we couldn’t wait to jump in the Smith River and swim.

Although the memory is years old, seeing this photo always brings me back to a place of peace-and it’s why our family treasures clean water.

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Christine writes mysteries that are set in the Pacific Northwest, and each one includes a river, lake, or beach. It’s just too hard to stay away from water! Learn more about her by checking out her website.