RIPON – Daniel Perrioni stood on the bank of the Stanislaus River and dipped his toes into the cold, fast-moving water below.

With the wide-open expanses of Stouffer Park behind him, Perrioni, who was on a morning walk through what is considered one of Ripon’s recreational jewels, wanted to get a feel for the water that wraps its way around a bend and through the park. The serene backdrop makes the park one of the most sought-after picnicking destinations in town during the warm summer months.

But it wasn’t the park that captivated Perrioni’s attention. It was the sweet swift Stanislaus that wrapped around the bend as it moved towards Highway 99 and eventually out near the Jack Tone Golf Course.

And with the release of coming water from Goodwin Dam at Lake Tulloch, the flow is going to be prime for teenagers looking to beat the Central Valley’s scorching summer days.

Nobody can argue that the weather so far this year has been strange.

We had a deluge in June. We’re almost to August and the temperatures have been moderate except for a few 100-degree days that seemed to sneak up and disappear just as quickly. Most of all, the reservoirs of Northern California are full and the drought that has plagued the state for the last five years is over.

But that doesn’t mean that the dog days of summer – those afternoons when you could literally drop an egg on the sidewalk and watch the exposed whites sizzle – aren’t just around the corner.

That’s where the Stanislaus River comes in.

It doesn’t charge admission and it doesn’t care if you finished your chores. It gives teenagers like Salida’s Michael Richmond – who spent part of his Thursday cruising along Ripon’s bike path on his beach cruiser – the chance to grab their innertubes, head up stream and meander down while taking in the sun through the oak-lined banks.

There are, of course, a few things that those that plan on going Richmond’s route for recreation should probably keep in mind.

Just because the water seems calm on the surface doesn’t mean that it isn’t raging below, so a little bit of caution can go a long ways when you’re getting ready to push off. Bringing along a life jacket isn’t a bad idea, and knowing how to swim in strong currents is a must.

And then there’s the whole submerged obstacle thing. Branches. Fallen trees.

Common sense can go a long way when it comes to getting into the water. Don’t let the notion of what can transpire scare you from having a good time – some of the most fun I’ve ever had was floating down the river with 15 of my friends on a blistering afternoon. Being aware of your surroundings, however, isn’t a bad idea.

And if its solitude that you’re looking for, Ripon’s elected officials have made sure to secure plenty of it along the route of the river – with the starting point for bike and walking trails starting on either side of Highway 99 and winding down along the trees for miles.

A majestic Oak Grove that the city helped preserve is also located at the end of Stockton Avenue where it becomes Doak Boulevard. Access is available down the paved path, and parking is available in the dirt lot. The grove is through the gate, straight ahead and to the left, and it runs all the way back to the levee.

While the Stanislaus River might be a boundary – serving as the dividing line between Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties – Ripon has approached it as a gem and continues to utilize its bountiful offerings for residents.

Whether it’s a dip on a hot summer day, a slow meandering float with friends or a quiet walk along the banks, Ripon has done its part to making it easy to get to one of the natural assets of the South County. Taking advantage of it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Don’t forget the sunscreen.



TO GET THERE: From Manteca, take the Highway 99 Main Street exit and turn left at the stop sign. At the base of the bridge turn left at the four-way stop and then immediately turn right. The frontage Road takes you to the smal parking lot and access point to the pedestrian bridge and river front paths that extend to Stouffer Park.