Klode Kru Swim Season Officially Opens Saturday May 23rd 1PM

Next Swim:  Saturday May 23rd 1:00, meet in the parking lot overlooking Klode Beach

Depending on what happens Saturday, and the forecast, we may swim again Sunday and/or Memorial Day at 1:00PM, or at least gather for a round of Killepitsch and to tell tall tales of swims past, check back on this blog Saturday afternoon

I can't believe I'm writing this, but I, Patriarch of Klode Kru declare the 2015 Lake Michigan Swim Season Open on Saturday!  Even though water temperatures are in the forties, an irresistible restlessness has taken hold and the Kru is anxious to escape the tyranny of the black line, sick of playing human ping-pong ball in the pool.

Crazy for sure. Our resolve will be severely tested.  Personally, if I actually swim it will be my coldest ever, as the coldest water I can recall is 52 degrees.  Bring every piece of neoprene you've got and probably go buy more.

If we fail at least we'll have a round of Pitsch and renew of old friendships.  But if we succeed it will be a day we talk about for years.  

Memorial Day or Bust

Reason #587 for not drinking:  You commit to things you regret.   I'm not sure how it happened exactly, but at Showgirl's birthday party, after some beers and a shot of Killepitsch, one thing led to another.  Eagerness to swim led to bold talk about swimming in May and pretty soon Capt'n and Gumdrop and Showgirl and Panini and me were committing to swim by Memorial Day, even though it's only three weeks away and the current water temp is barely 40.

Now you might say that pledge doesn't count because we were drunk, but that excuse doesn't work for pirates, we're pirates precisely because we keep promises made while we were smashed out of minds.

Or those of you who weren't there might think this reckless pledge doesn't apply to you, but it doesn't matter that you had no say, you're members of our Kru and on board, right?

See you in three weeks.

Pirates Pre-Season Pub Night

Friday April 10th 6PM Three Lions Pub (Oakland at Kensington in Shorewood)
http://threelionspub.com

I'm not expecting a big crowd, I made reservations for ten.  So if you're not part of the group that already RSVPed via email, please email or call or leave a comment on this blog, so that I can let them know more people are coming.

Although my last blog post about a pre-season outing garnered a tepid response, I got a much more enthusiastic reaction on email and it seems Friday is good.

Unfortunately I made a major mistake when I scheduled this.  As Gelaney will tell you, husbands never learn.  As it happens Friday is our 44th wedding anniversary and we usually go out for a nice dinner.  Believe it or not, in Gelaney's eyes a fish fry with the swim group is not a romantic evening.  I suggested that we could celebrate our anniversary on Saturday instead of Friday, however in Gelaney's eyes she is now playing second fiddle to the swim group.  I tried to backtrack and told her I would try to find a different day for the swim group, but it's too late, the damage has been done, I am dog meat, burnt toast, shark bait.  I'm telling you all this not because I think the husbands among you will learn anything from it, but just so you know why I will be crying in my beer on Friday.

I should have known better.
With my tail between my legs,
Humbled Patriarch

Pre-Season Pizza Night?

Even though it's barely spring I am anxious to get the season started.  I've been swimming frequently at the Y and it feels great.  I got so carried away the other day that I stopped by Emery's and bought a new wetsuit.  Fired up and ready to go!   Well OK, maybe not so fired up that I'm going to challenge the current thirty-something degree water but maybe the next best thing.

How about a pre-season pizza night?  I'm pretty flexible on date/place.  We could return to one of our favorites like Lisa's or Pizza Kitchen or try something new like Sprecher's in Bayshore (I've been there, it's pretty good and great beer).

Anyhow, it would be fun to see the gang again, especially before they start smelling like dying alewives. If you're interested please comment, and feel free to suggest date and place.  I don't know if anyone reads this blog this time of year, so I'll send out an email too, at least to the few whose email addresses I have.

Ready to Plunge.  Ho Ho Ho

Waiting

Waiting for Swimmers

(Yes, that's ice on the rock pile)

Sadly, cross country ski season is over.  It's the waiting season.  Waiting for ice to melt.  Waiting for daffodils, waiting for the geese to start their egg laying on the island in the pond in Estabrook Park, waiting for the beer garden to open, waiting for those lazy hazy crazy days of soda and pretzels and beer.  Most of all waiting for the lake to warm up.  In the meantime swimming in the pool (better than nothing I guess) and day dreaming about gliding over the sun dappled bottom of rocks and sand.  

Pirates Pizza Night Thursday Nov 13th 6:30PM at Lisa's

Come and celebrate the end of the swim season with us.  Reserve your spot by texting Capt'n or leaving a comment on this blog.  Hope to see you there!

Lisa's Pizzeria is at 2961 N Oakland Ave, a half block north of Locust

Pirates Pizza Night

Sadly, the Lake Michigan swim season is over for most of us, although there are a few hearty souls who still welcome the challenge.  But even if we've stopped swimming, we haven't stopped eating and drinking.  So how about a Pirates Pizza night this Thursday (Nov 6) or next Thursday (Nov 13).  If interested please comment with your date preference.