Baptism in the Big Hole on Crow Creek

Eighty-one years ago, my dad was baptized in the cold water of Crow Creek, Star Valley, Wyoming. The Big hole, as it was affectionately called by the locals, was a popular swimming spot on the river. Occasionally it doubled as a sacred baptismal font as well. Dad recalls that, even though it was early June, they still had to break some ice from around the edges of the river in order to enter … brrrrrrr! Though much has changed up there since then, between dad’s description and a site visit, this is my attempt at putting the experience on canvas.