The $100 swimming pools caught my eye as I was bopping through Target in June. The grandkids were coming for a lengthy stay, and what better way to entertain them during the inevitably sweltering heat of July. Cheap as that, we could just throw it away at the end of the summer. Terrific! (Who am I kidding? I keep EVERYTHING and I have two storage units to prove it). I jokingly mentioned the pool to Don, not realizing that he had a hidden need for a sand and water experience. Within a week we had purchased and installed a 12′ Intex above-ground pool in our backyard. For two weeks the water was crystal clear, and we splashed and played and floated in our little floaty chairs, wearing our sombreros and shades and sipping beer margueritas. We read novels, basking in the sun and enjoying the cool water beneath us. It was SO MUCH FUN. This was the perfect STAYCATION!

Then something happened. We couldn’t keep the water crystal clear with the inadequate pump and filtering system, and the vacuum setup was a joke. Thus began the slide down the slippery slope into the quagmire of options and remedies because now WE WERE HOOKED. The kids weren’t coming for six weeks, and, after all, we bought the pool for THEM. (Sure we did). Our cheap pool indulgence could quickly turn sour, as we learned that an adequate pump and filter would run about $400. Uh, that would be like putting thousand dollar wheels on an old beater car. No can do; or No WILL do. So we nursed the water through the next six weeks with a chemical soup that allowed us to continue to enjoy the pool, although not with quite as much enthusiasm.

The week the kids came we gave up, we surrendered, we threw in the towl and EMPTIED the pool, scrubbed it thoroughly, and refilled it. I must confess that I bitched and swore during the cleaning part–suddenly the 12′ pool seemed awfully big, and those wet towels get awfully heavy, and I sweat like a pig in 100 degree heat. But……….aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Once more we had the wonderful crystal water. And the payoff with the kids made it totally worth the effort. They absolutely loved it. Both of them could easily stand with their heads above water, yet it was deep enough for them to swim beneath the water like little fish. That pool provided them with hours of entertainment OUTSIDE, and Don and I could share in the fun and play with them. That experience alone was compensation for the rocky road to crystal water.

NEXT time we will purchase a BIGGER pool (seriously) and make sure it has adequate pump, filter and vacuum systems. In fact, on one of my chemical runs to the pool supply store, the mother of all above-ground pools caught my eye…..

Save me from myself and possibly a BAD decision! If you have insight and/or experience (personally or someone you know) with above-ground pools, please weigh in with the pros and cons about size, cleaning, pumps and filters….any information will be helpful and appreciated!!