Warm Water and the Great Lake Plunge Return

Next Swims:  Mon - Fri Aug 1-5 (is it really August already!), 6AM each day
Also possibly some evening swims if the water stays so nice.  Forecast looks good for Monday evening, we will decide and post after Monday morning's swim.  Check back.

Last Swims:  Sunday July 31st noon
Water Temp: 69, very very nice
Waves:  Small Chop
Water Clarity:  Poor - the only stain on an almost perfect swim day
Crew: The Kahunas (Kahuna, Squeezeakuhuna, Red Dawn, Scotcharoo), Ryan, Liz, Dragonfly, Capt'n, Showgirl, Handyman Hank and North Shore Nancy, Lenore, Diablo, Valerie, LL Cold J, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 1/14
Shots: 17

Saturday July 30th, noon
Water Temp: 59
Waves: 2 foot rolling, not choppy
Water Clarity:  A very clear demarcation between brown dirty water near shore and clear blue water a bit out
Crew: Itch, Mr. Anonymous, Kahuna, Dragonfly, Diablo, Monica, Gumdrop, Crash, Phil, Forger, Angela, LL Cold J, Handyman Hank and North Shore Nancy, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 8/7
Shots: 14

The Great Lake Plunge is now rescheduled for next Saturday August 6th.  Several people have asked me whether they would reopen registration so that people not originally signed up could now participate.  The short answer is "no".  The explanation is in an email they sent me:   Unfortunately we’re extremely busy with the reschedule and we just can’t handle the workload of opening up registration again. We also already have our shirts ordered and medals made so we don’t have capacity for more swimmers.

New Pattern

Weekend Swims:  Saturday and Sunday, July 30th and 31st, noon both days

Last Swim:  Friday July 29th 6AM
Water Temp: 59
Waves: 1-2 feet choppy and rough
Water Clarity: Not Much
Crew: Capt'n, Gumdrop, Kahuna, Showgirl, Vince, Itch, Nivens McTwist, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 7/1

The weather pattern has changed.  From hot with offshore winds, to cooler with onshore winds.  That means warmer and wavier water.  If you like playing in the waves this might be the time.

The Great Lake Plunge, which was cancelled last Sunday because of sewage overflows after a large storm, has been rescheduled for next Saturday August 6th.  I'm not sure of the details and whether they will reopen registration, hopefully more info is forthcoming.

Back to School

Next Swim: Friday July 29th 6AM

Last Swims: Tue and Wed July 27th and 28th 6AM
Water Temp: 55 Wed, 58 Thu
Waves: Calm Wed, Choppy Thu
Water Clarity: Super HD Clear
Wed Crew: Capt'n, Gumdrop, Diablo, Panini, Patriarch
Thu Crew: Jack Frost, Crash, Itch, Diablo, Patriarch

This morning's swim was one of the most amazing ever.  We encountered huge schools of small silvery fish, maybe 3-4 inches long.  We've seen schools of fish before but never in these numbers, thousands and thousands, they went on and on and on.  It's mesmerizing to watch them whirl and swirl.  One second they are a shimmering silver curtain billowing and rippling in front of you, the next second they seem to disappear as they as turn away.  They swim in large formations, turning this way and that, forming and reforming dazzling complex patterns.  Individual fish all seem to swim in synchronized tight formation, but the school as a whole darts this way and that, forming fantastic and fascinating  whirlpools of shimmering shiny silver.  It's difficult to describe, you to have to see it.      

Order Your Personalized Klode Kru Swim Cap Today!

Next Swims:  Wed-Thu-Fri July 27-28-29, 6AM each morning

Last Swims: Sunday 1PM, Monday 6AM, Tuesday 6AM
Water Temps: 50-53
Waves:  1 foot Sunday, Calm Monday and Tuesday
Water Clarity: Excellent
Sunday Crew: Liz, Showgirl, Valerie, Diablo, Itch, Gumdrop, Sir James, Patriarch
Monday Crew: Forger, Diablo, Nivens McTwist, Capt'n, Showgirl, Crash, Panini, Patriarch
Tuesday Crew: Showgirl, Jack Frost, Nivens McTwist, Gumdrop, Diablo, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 17/5
Shots: 7

Swim cap update from Panini: 

I will be ordering swim caps by Aug 5, which will all arrive by the end of summer. A silicone cap with a stylized logo and the lettering "KLODE KRU 2016" (so y'all can remember it was election year ;) with each person's Klode name will be ordered. Pink seems to be the most popular color, but if other people have strong preferences, let me know. 

So far, here is the list of people who have already ordered. If your name is not here and you want a cap, email me here. Don't miss out on this opportunity to show off being part of the Kru. Hurry, order before Aug 5!!

Real Name	Klode Name	No. of Caps ordered	Color Preference	Paid?
Emailed me/ verbally requested
Ara	Drangonfly	1	None	Yes
Ryan	Neo	1	None	No
Jeff	Jack Frost	1	None	No
Kelly L	Scarface	1	Pink	No
Mark	Handyman Hank	1	None	No
Renee	Northshore Nancy	1	None	No
Sandy	Kahuna	3	None	No
	Hare		None	No
	Tortoise		None	No
	squeeza-kahuna		None	No
Ellen	Tiny Motha	1	None	No
Grandfathered in
Greg	Patriarch	1	None	No
Ted	Capt'n	1	BLACK	No
Gabriel	Diablo	1	Pink	No
Beth	Showgirl	2	None	No
Robin	Crash	1	None	No
Harini	Panini	1	None	No
Lane	Nivens Mctwist	1	None	No
Jamie	Itch	1	None	No
David	Mr.Anonymous	1	None	No
Bryan	Gumdrop	1	None	No

Cruising

Next Swims: Sunday July 24th 1PM
Monday - Friday July 25th - 29th, 6AM every weekday morning

Last Swim: Saturday July 23rd noon
Water Temp: Some very cold pockets and some very warm pockets, overall "decent"
Waves:  Dead Calm, heavy fog, eerie as hell
Water Clarity: Crystal Clear, Huge schools of 6 inch fish clearly visible
Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Handyman Hank, Diablo, Itch, Andy, Liz, Jack Frost and his father-in-law John Frost, Patriarch
Suit/Skin:  6/4

Perfect place to be on a hot muggy day.  Because I'm doing the "Plunge" tomorrow, I had intended just a short swim today.  But I was cruising along so easily without exactly knowing where I was because the usual landmarks were obscured in the heavy fog. I finally looked up and there was Itch and we were at mudslide, a half mile down the shore.  It seemed like I had floated there.

Weekend Plans

Weekend Swims:  Saturday July 23rd noon (Capt'n tells me a group of triathletes is swimming at 7AM)
Sunday: July 24th 1PM

Last Swims:
Friday July 22nd 6AM
Water Temp: 47
Waves: Small rollers
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: Panini, Diablo
Suit/Skin: 1/2

Thursday July 21st 6AM
Water Temp: 55
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: Mr Anonymous, Nivens McTwist, Showgirl, Diablo, Lindsay, Patriarch

A pic from Tuesday night's full moon swim.

Plunge Plan

Next Swims:  Thursday and Friday July 21st & 22nd 6AM

Last Swims:
Wednesday July 20th 6AM
Water Temp: 54
Waves: Small
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: Capt'n, Super Hera, Diablo, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 3/1

Full Moon Swim: Tuesday July 19th
Water Temp: 56
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Excellent, large schools of small fish everywhere
Crew:  It was a big crew and unfortunately I did not get a chance to write down names and statistics

Jack Frost and Dave and Not Dave's Wife, I want to discuss Sunday's Great Lake Plunge with you to possibly form car pools.  I don't have your contact info so please contact me or stop by the beach.  Showgirl and Itch are also going, but I believe Itch will drive separately to visit someone afterword.  

Full Moon Swim Tonight (Tuesday)

Full Moon Swim:  Tuesday July 19th 7:30 PM (full moon rises over the lake at 8:06PM)

Wednesday - Friday July 20-22 6AM every weekday morning

Last Swim: Tuesday July 19th 6AM
Water Temp: 46
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity:  Crystal
Crew: Diablo (skin!)

The Today's sunny skies means good viewing of the moonrise over the lake.   And onshore winds mean warmer water tonight.  How much warmer?  Who can say?  Hopefully warm enough to swim.  Either way, you are welcome to buy me beers afterwards.  

Highs and Lows

Tuesday  - Friday July 19-22 6AM every weekday morning
Full Moon Swim:  Tuesday July 19th 7:30 PM (full moon rises over the lake at 8:06PM)
Also, possibly other evening swims if conditions are good, check back

Last Swims:  Monday July 18th 6AM
Water Temp: 45
Waves:  small
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: Panini, Diabo, Showgirl
Suit/Skin: 2/1

Sunday: July 17th noon
Water Temp: 56
Waves: 1-2 foot swell no chop
Water Clarity: Very Good
Crew: Dragonfly, Dave, Diablo, Hank, Showgirl, Panini, Itch, Lindsey, Gumdrop, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 4/6
Shots: 9

You can track my moods on the Atwater buoy webpage: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?station=45013&meas=wtmp&uom=E&time_diff=-5&time_label=CDT

Up and down, up and down.  When the water temp goes below 50 I don't swim and get very depressed.  With every degree above 50 my mood improves. Get to 70 and I'm in heaven.  Now of course the lake doesn't give a damn how I feel. It's almost pathological to let my emotions be driven by impersonal forces of nature.  

There will be bad swimming days on the beach, OK days, good days and really great days.  It's just part of the deal when swimming in Lake Michigan.  Still, when it's bad, like today, it's hard to be philosophical and remember that tomorrow will likely be better.  

Pass the Killepitsch.   

All is Well

Next Swim: Sunday July 17th noon
Monday - Friday July 18-22 6AM every weekday morning
Full Moon Swim:  Tuesday July 19th 7:30 PM (full moon rises over the lake at 8:06PM)
Also, possibly other evening swims if conditions are good, check back

Last Swim: Saturday July 16th noon
Water Temp: 64 decent
Waves: Choppy and building
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: Scarface, Crash, Dragonfly, Gi Gi, Showgirl, Jeff, Capt'n, Itch, Dave, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 5/5
Shots: 8

The last three days have been hell.  No swimming, no Showgirl, no Pitsch.

All has been rectified.  Showgirl returned from vacation, Itch gave me the Pitsch he owes me, and the water temps have rebounded.  It was a sunny clear day on the beach, and Itch and I both saw huge schools of fish (I don't know how the others could have missed them, but they did).

Special Events:  The Great Lake Plunge is next week Sunday in Evanston.  So far there are five of us carpooling down (Dave, Not Dave's Wife, Jack Frost, his dad, and me). If you are interested in joining us let me know.   I believe you can still register, but you may need to call them.  http://www.greatlakeplunge.com

Also:  Full moon swim on Tuesday at 7:30PM (moonrise at 8:06PM).  Afterwords we can go to the bar and I will dance on the table if you buy me lots of beers.  Not really, but I'll take the free beer.

Cold but Beautiful

Next Swims: Saturday and Sunday July 16th and 17th, noon both days
Mon - Fri 6AM every day
Tuesday July 19th Full moon swim in the evening, check back for details

Last Swims: Thursday & Friday 6AM
Water Temp: 46-47
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Crystal
Thu Crew:  Panini, Diablo
Fri Crew: Itch, Diablo
Suit/Skin:  Thu 1/1, Fri 0/2

The wicked west wind has blown all the warm surface water offshore and wreaked havoc with our swim plans, unless you're Diablo, Itch, or Panini who swam despite the cold water.  You guys are unbelievable.

The good news is the offshore winds have abated and there is still plenty of warm surface water out there, hopefully it will blow in for the weekend.

I was too wimpy to swim in the cold water but the beach is still beautiful in the morning, inspiring my inner bard:

Itch,
I gave you money for 'Pitsch,
But 'twas a hitch,
Bait and switch,
You gave me the ditch,
Son of a bitch.

Baltic

Next Swims:  Thursday and Friday July 14th and 15th 6AM both days

Last Swim:  Wednesday July 13th 6AM
Water Temp: 46 "Baltic!"
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: crystal
Crew:  Diablo, Panini
Suit/Skin: 1/1

While a bunch of us whined and whimpered about cold water temps from shore, Diablo and Panini stepped up and got er done.   You guys are amazing.

Normally the temperature measured at Atwater buoy is very close to what we measure on the beach.  But yesterday and today the buoy temp is 20 degrees more than the beach temp (mid-sixties versus mid forties).  The buoy is three miles south and half a mile offshore of the beach, but can there really be that much difference?  Apparently so.

Panini is organizing a purchase of Klode Kru silicone swim caps. The caps will have a skull and crossbones, the words "Klode Kru" and be personalized with your name or nickname.  Several Kru members already have these caps, if you want to see what they look like.   The caps will cost $20 each (they don't really cost that much, the balance will go in the Killepitsch fund).  The color choices are to be determined.  If interested in ordering caps email Panini here and give her your chosen name/nickname and color preference.

P.S.  Capt'n, you would look GREAT in pink.

P.P.S.  Showgirl, we miss you and hope you're having a great vacation up north with your boyfriend (or as Panini so delicately calls it "sex with room service").

Bust

Next Swims: Wed-Fri July 13-15, 6AM each morning

Last Swim:  Tue July 12 5:30PM
Water Temp: 53 A Wee Bit Cold
Waves: calm
Clarity: Crystal
Crew:  LL Cold J, with Scarface, North Shore Nancy, Not Dave's Wife, Jackie, and me watching from shore.
Suit/Skin: 1/0
Shots: 6

Not even having five gorgeous women to myself on the beach could console me.  The one I wanted most had given me the cold shoulder.  Lured me in with a siren song of promises of warm clear water, and then laughed in my face when I came close.  53???  Really???  O cruel lady.  Will I ever learn?

Skin or Bust!

In the previous post I reported a sharp plunge in lake water temps, down to 57 degrees. Well it appears (by looking at the Atwater buoy webpage) that the temp has rebounded just as quickly as it fell.  Currently at 65 degrees.

It being such a hot humid stifling day, I need to cool off.  I will be at the beach at 5:30PM (today Tuesday) for a "skin or bust" swim!  Join me and cool off!

There will also be swims:  Wed-Fri July 13-15, 6AM each morning 

Plunge

Next Swims:  Wed-Fri July 13-15, 6AM each morning

Last Swims: Tue July 12 6AM
Water Temp: 57 - A bit chilly
Waves:  small swells but big current south to north
Water Clarity: Very Good
Crew: Ryan, Anne, Nivens McTwist, Diablo, Jack Frost, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 4/2

Monday July 12th 6AM
Water Temp: 67 - Decent
Waves: Choppy
Water Clarity: Poor
Crew: Monica, Diablo, Jaime, Crash, Julie, Anne, Super Hera, Forger, Capt'n, Brian, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 8/3

She was in a bit of a snit this morning, greeting us with water plunging ten degrees colder than yesterday.  Every year about this time we get a dose of  this, usually it goes away in a few days.  There is plenty of warm surface water out there, we need a wind shift to send it our way.

Speaking of plunging, the Great Lakes Plunge is next Sunday: http://www.greatlakeplunge.com
If you are participating and would like to car pool let me know.  I know of at least two others, Jack Frost and his father (in-law?).

Pole Dances and Fish Bites

Next Swims : Monday - Friday July 11 - 15, 6AM every weekday morning
With the water as warm as it is we'll probably do some evening swims this week, check back.

Last Swim:  Sunday July 10th noon
Water Temp:  70!   Rrrroooastin'
Waves:  Heavy Chop
Water Clarity: stirred up
Crew:  Diablo, Crash, Slip-n-Slide, Laurie, Panini, Jackie, Gumdrop, Jaime, Itch, Capt'n, Kahuna, Valerie, Dingo, Dragonfly, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 3/13
Shots: 18

Beware!  It appears bad drugs being shared by Kru members.  Today at the beach Crash and Kahuna were babbling incoherently about pole dances and fish bites.  Crash was claiming that she witnessed a pole dance on the beach, and Kahuna claimed fish were biting his foot.  Neither thing makes any sense so the only thing I can conclude that they shared a bad drug trip, and what Crash interpreted as a pole dance was really Kahuna stumbling around on his crutches and Kahuna's fish bites was really Crash chewing on his ankle.  Just when you think the Kru can't possibly stoop any lower they sink lower than the lake bottom.

I wouldn't hang around with these degenerates, but it's impossible to stay away when the water is so darn nice.  It reached 70 for the first time today.

By the way, Panini is going to put together an order for new Klode Kru silicone swim caps.  When she gives me the details I will publish them in the blog, but in the meantime let her know if you're interested.

A Deep Dark Place

Next Swims:  Sunday July 10th noon
Monday - Friday July 11 - 15, 6AM every weekday morning
Also, possibly some evening swims, check back.

Last Swim: Saturday July 9th 7AM
Water Temp: 62
Waves: One Foot Swell
Water Clarity:  OK
Crew:  Handyman Hank, Dragonfly, Diablo, Kahuna, Scarface, Crash, Scooby, Capt'n, Showgirl, Mr. Anonymous, Patriarch, plus eleven triathletes whose names I don't all know
Suit/Skin: 16/6
Shots: None, but breakfast at Solly's

Thinking that 7AM was a bit early to pounding shots, I did not bring the Killepitsch.  For this I was roundly condemned cursed and even spit upon.  Which I guess just goes to prove the old adage that no good deed goes unpunished.  And perhaps inspires a new adage:  never underestimate the dissolution decadence and debauchery of the Klode Kru.

Speaking of being lost at sea, Gumdrop's wetsuit and then Gumdrop were nearly swallowed whole by our dear Lady of the Lake.  His threw his wetsuit onto a large rock to dry, but it slid into a crevasse between rocks.  And then the waves pushed it further into the hole.  After much maneuvering and almost falling in himself he managed to fish it out with a long stick.  The sad part is that this very same thing has happened to Kru members several other times, but it would be expecting far too much from this hopeless bunch to learn from it's mistakes.  

Saturday Breakfast?

Next Swims:  Saturday July 9th 7AM, we are swimming early because wind and waves are forecast to build all day

After Saturday's swim the triathletes will be going on a long bike/run.  For the rest of us, how about breakfast?

Sunday swim time TBD based on forecast

Last Swims:  Thursday July 7th 5:30PM
Water Temp: 68
Waves:  Heavy Chop
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew:  2-Ply, No-Ply, Lorraine, Gumdrop, Ryan, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 2/4
Shots: 6

Friday July 8th 6AM
Water Temp:  66-67
Waves:  almost calm
Water Clarity: Good
Lots of swimmers this morning, many I did not know, but here are the ones I do know:
Itch, Diablo, Scarface, Crash, Capt'n, Panini, Showgirl, Michelle, Brian, Snap, Rosa, Zoom Zoom, Forger, Jaime(sp?), Anne, Sara, Handyman Hank, Jeff, Hot Stuff, Patriarch

Pressed for time this morning - no time for a report.

Door County

Next Swims:  Today Thursday 7/7,  5:30PM weather permitting
Friday 7/8 6AM

Last Swim: Thursday July 7th 6AM
Water Temp: 62 "Aye Allright"
Waves: Calm
Water Clarity: Very Good
Crew: Diablo, Crash, Scarface, Nivens McTwist, Itch, Diana, Rosa, Panini, Grace, Showgirl, Robert, Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 6/6

I have returned from my annual get-together with my retired buddies in Door County.  Showgirl imagines that we "boozed it up and hit the strip clubs".  I suppose it's only fair that women think that's what men do when they are together without wives/girlfriends.  Men believe that when women are together without their husbands/boyfriends they spend their time bitching about men.

No Showgirl, there are no strip clubs in Door County.  There aren't even any chain restaurants or chain motels, just shops and restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts with names like Whistling Swan, White Gull, Lull-Abi, Blue Ivy, Robin's Nest, Cherry Dairy, Oilevie Olive Bar, etc.  The feminine bodies on display are impeccably coffered and manicured and fashionably clothed in faux-casual.

Still, it's pretty there, and if you look hard enough you can still find some remnants of "authentic" Door County (whatever that is).  

Streak Continues...

Next Swims: Thurs, Fri 6am, check blog and comments for evening swims

Last Swims:  Wednesday 07/06 , 6AM
  Water Temp: warmer near rocks, cooler further out
  Waves: medium chop/waves out of the north
  Water Clarity: good near shore, murky further out
  Crew:  Diablo, Super Hera
  Skin/Suit: 1/1
  Streak: 35

I decided the 5:50 thunder meant no swimming.  Diablo and Super Hera thought otherwise.

Apparently the solitude of the beach inspired Diablo to re-write the lyrics to "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" and this is what we have:

"Out there
There's a world outside of Klode
Way out this hick beach,
Patriarch
There is a slick beach,
Patriarch
Full of shine and full of sparkle
Close your eyes and see it glisten
Patriarch
Listen Patriarch..."

I never pegged Diablo for a show-tunes kind of guy, but I guess I'm wrong again.

The song is originally from "Hello Dolly" but Wall-e used it too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdTx0IZUvgY

Wonder Woman Returns!

Next Swims: Wed-Fri, 6am
--perhaps some evening swims, check the blog comments to see if anyone posted

Last Swim:  Tuesday, 07/05, 6am
 Water Temp 68? No one had a thermometer
 Waves:  water like glass
 Water Clarity:  clear near shore, still murky farther out
 Crew: Nivens McTwist, Jaimie, Monica, Diablo, Deanna, Showgirl, Wonderwoman!
 Suit/Skin: 4/3

This morning we returned to Klode after our law-breaking Big Bay adventure. Upper Klode looked like a hung-over frat boy the night after a big party-- post firework debris was scattered everywhere. Speaking of hung-over frat boys, our beloved Patriarch will be away for a few days, boozing it up and hitting the strip clubs of Door County, and thus I am guest-blogging again.

Away from the post-debauchery of the upper park, the beach was beautiful and quiet, and the water was glassy.

And so we swam and it was lovely.  The only fly in the ointment was.......actual flies.  Zillions of them on the surface.  more like ants with wings.  Several of them met their maker trapped inside my swimsuit.

Speaking of lovely, the wonderful Wonder Woman was in the water as I returned from my swim.  It was so great to see her, just a short time before she departs for her Panamanian house flipping adventure.

Glorious Fourth

Next swims:
Tuesday - Friday July 5th - 8th, 6AM every weekday morning at Klode
Also, Tuesday July 5th 5:30 PM at Klode
Possibly swims on other evenings - check back

Last swim:  Monday the 4th of July, 1PM at Big Bay
Water Temp: 68 Decent
Waves:  Small Chop
Water Clarity:  Good
Crew:  Diablo, Itch, Crash, Zoom Zoom, Handyman Hank & North Shore Nancy, Dingo, Panini, Forger, 2-Ply and No Ply, Kahuna, Gumdrop, Scarface, Dave & Not (just) Dave's Wife, Capt'n, Showgirl, Dragonfly, Liz, Phil, Patriarch (there were a lot of swimmers, I may have forgotten someone -- sorry if I did!)
Suit/Skin: 7/17
Shots:  A lot - we went through an entire bottle of Killepitsch!

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than participating in the freedom and challenge of big Open Water!  We swam south from Big Bay.  The lake bluff is higher than at Klode, the scenery more dramatic.  The weather was fine, the camaraderie was great, and the swimming was fantastic (unless you want to quibble about some mildly annoying chop).

In the spirit of rebellion we broke at least three rules posted at the head of the trail leading to the beach.  We had a glass bottle.  It contained alcohol.  And we swam.  Yes, the sign says no swimming!   I don't get it.  It's a beautiful beach, there is public access and no obvious reason not to swim (or to drink, now that I think about it).  Can the village really enforce rules like that?  Damn it, it's not their lake, it's my lake too!   

Sympathy and the Lack Thereof

Next Swims:
Monday July 4th 1PM.  Because Klode beach will be closed for fireworks set-up, we will swim from Big Bay beach, on Lake Drive at the east end of Fairmount Ave.  There is no parking lot, you may need to park a block or two away.  Also, don't be fooled by the signs.  One says Big Bay Park and the other says Buckley Park.  I can't explain why - it's Whitefish Bay, what do you expect?

Tuesday - Friday July 5th - 8th, 6AM every weekday morning at Klode

Also, Tuesday July 5th 5:30 PM at Klode
Possibly swims on other evenings - check back

Last Swim:  Sunday July 3rd 1PM
Water Temp 68 decent
Waves:  small chop
Water Clarity:  Very Good
Crew:  Handyman Hank & North Shore Nancy, Gumdrop, Panini, Crash, Showgirl, Kahuna, Capt'n, Diablo, Nanook, Itch, Lorraine, Chris, Liz, Patriarch, and welcome to two new swimmers, Dingo and Dragonfly
Suit/Skin: 5/12
Shots: 17

Poor Nanook.  A recent RN and one of our youngest swimmers, she appeared to have a bright future ahead of her.  But it's all been ruined by the minnow that traumatized her by somehow getting inside her suit while she was swimming.  When she tells the story you can hear the horror that has scared her for life.  You might think that having a fish wriggling around inside your suit might be a pleasant experience but apparently not for her.

We can sympathize with Nanook, but our sympathies for Kahuna are wearing thin.  He says he will be on wheelchair and crutches for another month.  He sits in his wheelchair at the top of the path and looks pathetic, hoping that someone will wheel him down and help him into the water.  I'm not buying it.  Kahuna give me $100 or I'm going to send pictures to Squeezakuhuna.

Then there is Panini.  When I return from my swim she is sunning on the beach.  She claims she actually swum, but I doubt it.  And just because I accidentally (really, it was accidental) drip some water on her while she's laying there, she starts throwing rocks at me.  How juvenile.

Crash-a-palooza!

Holiday weekend swims:
- Sunday July 3rd, 1PM at Klode
- Monday July 4th, 1PM at Big Bay, Lake Drive and Fairmount (due to the closure of Klode beach for the 4th celebration)

Last Swims: Saturday July 2nd, 1pm
Water Temp: 66 "Aye No Bad"
Waves: Lots of big chop out of the south
Water Clarity:  not so good
Crew: Itch, Diablo, Showgirl, Panini, NSN, Capt'n, Crash, Brian, Patriarch,Scarface, Gigi, Christina, Don Diego, Kahuna, Jeff, Brad, Garett, Wendy, Erin, Gumdrop
Shore Support: Julie, Sarah
Suit/Skin: 12/7
Shots: let's just say 30

Everything was beautiful Saturday at the beach, give or take the chop out of the south.  And so... we swam into those annoying waves. Some of the crew went far, many went to the downspout.

The water was a carribean blue, and a delightful 66, with not a cloud in the sky.  NSN tried out her flippers, and made her coldest skin swim yet.  Kahuna continues to require ambulatory care, and the  Kru will be implementing a billing system for services rendered.

After the fantastic swim, we made our way to the Estabrook beer garden for more Crash birthday celebrating, this time with her lovely family, and a great spread of food (who made those brownies and cherry treats??).  Crash was, of course, the guest of honor, but running a very close second was Ruth's profoundly adorable puppy Cadence, who was repeatedly pimped out by some of the menfolk to troll for women. (Unsuccessfully, I might add.)

Reminder:  Klode beach is closed Monday because they will be setting up the fireworks display.  So our Monday July 4th swim will be at Big Bay (also called Buckley Park), at Lake Drive and Fairmount.

Happy Birthday to Crash!

Holiday weekend swims:
- Saturday July 2nd, 1PM at Klode (followed by celebration of Crash's birthday at the Estabrook Beirgarten)
- Sunday July 3rd, 1PM at Klode
- Monday July 4th, 1PM at Big Bay, Lake Drive and Fairmount (due to the closure of Klode beach for the 4th celebration)

Last Swims: Friday July 1st 6AM
Water Temp: 64 "Aye No Bad"
Waves: Rolling 2 footers building
Water Clarity:  Good
Crew: Itch, Diablo, Showgirl, Panini, Hank, Capt'n, Crash, Sara, Snap, Brian, Patriarch, and joining the fun on shore were Scarface, North Shore Nancy, and Andrea
Suit/Skin: 4/7

Thursday June 30th 6PM
Water Temp: 66 Almost "Decent"
Waves: Small
Water Clarity: Good
Crew:  Nanook & Patriarch
Suit/Skin: 0/2

Every morning is different at the beach.  Yesterday's tranquil serenity gave way to waves crashing on the beach, and the non-stop talkfest of Capt'n and Panini.  The water was considerably warmer than the air, making for a bit of a post-swim shiverfest.  But that didn't stop us from celebrating Crash's
birthday with delicious chocolate cake!  Because we love her all to bits, Crash's birthday celebration will continue after tomorrow's (Saturday) swim at the Estabrook Beer Garden.

P.S.  It's getting more and more difficult to watch Kahuna's suffering.  If he doesn't get better soon we'll need to put him down.  It would be the humane thing to do (maybe not so much for him, but for us).

Reminder:  Klode beach is closed Monday because they will be setting up the fireworks display.  So our Monday July 4th swim will be at Big Bay (also called Buckley Park), at Lake Drive and Fairmount.