Drain the... hot water heater

Next Swims:
* Saturday & Sunday 2:00 PM

Last Swims:
  Friday 6:15 AM
  Water: 58-ish, clear, with a bit of a current out of the north
  Crew: Milkman, Showgirl

  Thursday 5:30 PM, no details

I was on the beach alone this morning, starting to talk myself out of getting in the cool water, when Milkman arrived.

And so we swam.  I continue to be delighted by the Big Tree, so that's where I went.  Milkman zoomed past me as usual, and then did the same on the return trip.  The sunrise, water, peaceful beach... were all lovely.

My water bill and gas bill will be soaring this month due to ridiculously long post-swim hot showers.

Always Rewarding

Next Swims:
* Thursday  5:30PM
* Friday September 29th 6:15AM and 5:30PM
Note that evening swims now are at 5:30PM

Last Swims:
Thursday 6:15 AM
Water: 58.9, clear, with slow swells stirring up the sand on the bottom
Crew: Mr. Anonymous, Panini, Showgirl

The air was cooler than the water this morning, and we all agreed that the water inside the rock piles was significantly cooler than the water outside.

It was shivery getting in. We sucked it up and headed north.  I visited the Big Tree again, and persuaded Mr. A to take a look, too.

Back on shore, we were positively gleeful over the fact that we had managed to drag ourselves out of bed, made it to to the beach, and had been so perfectly rewarded with a great swim and awesome sunrise.

4-Plys

Next Swims:
* Thursday September 28th 6:15AM and 5:30PM
* Friday September 29th 6:15AM and 5:30PM
Note that evening swims now are at 5:30PM

Last Swims:
Wednesday 6:00 PM
Water: 63 small waves
Crew: Drangonfly, Wet Taco, Cool Hand Luke, Itch, Patriarch

Tuesday 6PM
Water: 62 calm
Crew: Abe, H2, Capt'n, Itch

Monday 6PM
Water: 63 choppy
Crew: Handyman Hank, Drangonfly, Cool Hand Luke, Itch, Liz, Nanook, Wet Taco, Capt'n, Patriarch

Hearty congratulations to the Plys on the birth of twins Hazel and Emmett!  Itch informed us that mother and newborns are doing well.  Not so sure about dad. Itch also said that mom is looking forward to doing flip turns again.  What's a flip turn??

Big Tree

Next Swims:
 * Monday September 25th 6PM
 * Tuesday September 26th 6PM
 * Thurs, Fri 6:15am

I won't be there Wednesday morning, but I will be swimming Thurs and Fri at 6:15am.

Last Swims:
 Tuesday 6:15 AM
 Water: 60F, flat and clear as glass
 Crew: Showgirl, Amelia, Bart, Kathy, and two other swimmers... sorry, I   don't have the names with me, but I will update later.

Today was the first Klode swim for a few of the swimmers this morning, so... welcome! In their honor, I got out my thermometer. It tipped down to 59.9, but let's just call it 60.  It was another lovely morning at the beach, and the sun started to peek above the horizon about halfway thru our swim, though it was plenty light before that.

Everyone made it to mudslide. The new swimmers brought a dazzling array of post-swim refreshments which tragically, I could not stay for.

My most important topic for the morning is that I saw the big submerged tree again. It's large enough to be pretty surprising to swim up to.  In case you want to see it for yourself, here are the directions: swim north to the birches. Keep swimming.  A tiny bit farther is that stand of trees that look like all their mid-trunk branches have been removed. Keep swimming just to the far end of those trees. The submarine tree is oriented perpendicular to the shore, trunk to the east, at the north end of that stand of trees, kind of close to shore.

Thanks, Hank and Nancy!

Next Swims:
* Monday September 25th 6PM
* Tuesday September 26th 6PM

I'm not sure if there's any interest in continuing morning swims.  If so post a comment or let me know.

Last Swims:
Sunday 9-24 noon Atwater Beach Shipwreck Swim
Water: 63 a little copy, clear enough to see the shipwreck
Crew: Diablo, Magic Mike, Thelma, Forger, Dave, Julie, Drangonfly, Capt'n, Ziggy, Kahuna, Panini, Showgirl, Dave, Not Dave's Wife, Moondawg, Jackie, Niche, Itch, Wet Taco, Patriarch

Saturday 9-23 1PM
Water: 65 choppy
Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Diablo, Handyman Hank, Jack Frost, Itch, Molly, Lorraine, Moondawg on  his SUP, Patriarch

Friday 6PM
Water 68 choppy
Crew: Drangonfly, Magic Mike, Diablo, Synchro, Itch, Patriarch

Friday 6:15AM
Water: 66 small waves less than 1 ft
Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Dave, Cool Hand Luke, Diablo, Patriarch

BIG THANKS to Handyman Hank and North Shore Nancy for hosting the Close to the End of the Season Lake Michigan's Swimmers Celebration at their new digs on Brewer's Hill.  We got to see the fantastic job they did in renovating a house that was essentially stripped bare.  It's beautiful!  There is no doubt Hank deserves the nickname Handyman.

We lucked out with a hot sunny day for our shipwreck swim.  There was a little bit of chop but not enough to bother us and the water was clear enough to give us a good view of the wreck.   A couple of swimmers dived down to try to touch the wreck. Watching them gives perspective, the wreck is deeper and bigger than it looks from the surface.  Quite the sight!

Party on Sunday!

Update:  Sunday's swim will be at Atwater Beach at noon.  Meet at the flagpole.  Hopefully the water will be clear and we'll be able to see the large shipwreck that is just a couple hundred yards offshore, but if not we'll just swim along the shore.

Next Swims:
* Thursday 9-21 6PM
* Friday 9-22 6:15 AM & 5:30PM
* Saturday 9-23 1PM
* Sunday 9-24, Swim at Noon, followed by:

CLOSE TO THE END OF THE SEASON LAKE MICHIGAN SWIMMERS CELEBRATION

2141 N. BUFFUM ST, MILWAUKEE WI (Handyman Hank and Northshore Nancy's new home--you can take the girl outta the Northshore, but you can't take the Northshore outta the girl). HH and NSN will provide burgers and brats, beer, and soda/water.  They ask that people bring a dish to pass.

Last Swims: 

Thursday 6:15 AM

Water: 63 Gently Rolling, No Chop, Mostly Clear

Crew: Cool Hand Luke, Showgirl, Patriarch

Wednesday 6PM

Water: 67, 2-3 ft swell

Crew: Itch, Liz, Wet Taco, Mr. Anonymous, Patriarch

Tuesday 6PM

Water: 68 Chop on Top of One to Two Foot Swell

Crew: Handyman Hank, Itch, Drangonfly, Panini, Patriarch

After Sunday's 58 degree water the temperature has remained above 60.  It's supposed to be hot and humid the next few days, come down to the beach to cool off.

And on Sunday continue cooling off with some cold brews at Hank and Nancy's party.  They are self-professed beer snobs, so I expect we'll have a nice selection of craft brew.  

The Nose Knows

Next Swims:
* Tue September 19th 6PM
* Wed 6:15AM & 6PM

Last Swim
Mon 9-18, 6PM
Water: 65 1-2 ft waves clear
Crew: Drangonfly, Capt'n, Itch, Patriarch

I was not at the morning swims Monday or Tuesday so I have no report.  If anyone was there and has a moment please let us know.

There has been much speculation of late as to the large descrepancies between the water temperature and wave conditions we observe on the beach versus all the various graphs, buoys and marine weather reports on the web. After long observation I can say the websites can be very helpful, and are often correct, but sometimes they can be misleading too, especially when the lake is in transition in spring and fall.

It's not that they're wrong, it's because conditions can change rapidly, with transient large local differences between one spot and another.  The only way to really know the conditions at the beach is to go to the beach.

But wait!  All is not lost!  There is one sure fired method for predicting the water temperature - Capt'ns nose.  We're walking down to the beach Monday evening when Capt'n says, "Warmer water has blown in, I can smell it.  It smells like 65 degrees.".  This of course elicited much ridicule from the rest of us.

But I'll be damned.  Not only was Capt'n right, he was exactly right.  It was 65 degrees.   I hate it when he's right!

So tell us Capt'n, what does your nose tell you today?

Back To Reality

Next Swims:
* Mon 9/18, 6:15AM & 6PM
* Tue 9/19, 6:15AM & 6PM

And Don't Forget:

CLOSE TO THE END OF THE SEASON LAKE MICHIGAN SWIMMERS CELEBRATION

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

2:30 PM--people can still get in a swim at noon

2141 N. BUFFUM ST, MILWAUKEE WI (Handyman Hank and Northshore Nancy's new home--you can take the girl outta the Northshore, but you can't take the Northshore outta the girl). HH and NSN will provide burgers and brats, beer, and soda/water.  They ask that people bring a dish to pass.

Last Swims:

Sunday 9/17 noon

Water: 58 small waves

Crew: Diablo, Beth, Drangonfly, Phoenix, Wet Taco, Kahuna, Mark (Cool Hand Luke?), Lorraine, Capt'n, Itch, Magic Mike, Gumdrop, Pamini, Patriarch

Saturday noon

Water:  67 lots of chop on top of one foot swells

Crew: Kahuna, Gumdrop (on his SUP), Phoenix, Handyman Hank, Capt'n, El Jefe, Magic Mike, Nanook, Diablo, Itch, Liz, Mark, Patriarch  

Much consternation and moaning on the beach today as the temperature gauge failed to crack 60 degrees for the first time since July 17th!  We knew this day was coming, but it's always a shock when it actually happens.  

That's not to say the swim season is over.  There's plenty of warm water out there, all it takes is a wind shift to bring it back in.  And it's easy to forget but a couple of months ago we'd have died for 58 degree water.  It could be a lot worse.  Hell, it WILL be a lot worse.  

Regardless, it was a fantastic two months, perhaps our best swim season ever. 

Just Another Tequila Sunrise

Next Swims:
 * Fri 5:30PM
 * Saturday Noon (followed by a bike ride to Port by those wacky triathletes, all are welcome)
 * Sunday Noon

Last Swim:
 *Friday 6:15 am
 Water: 64.4 (yes, I used my thermometer), swells out of the south, clarity good away from shore
 Crew: Kahuna, Showgirl, Super Hera, Mark?
 Skin/Lava/Suit/kilt: 2/1.5/1/1

It looked like there would be no sunrise this morning, and then... mid-swim, there it was in all it's glory.  We swam north and the waves carried us along easily.  The return trip required a bit more effort.

There was a mystery swimmer just cruising out thru the rock piles when we got there-- we think that was Mark.

And no, there was no tequila consumed this morning.  Check back after the weekend.

Nostalgic Swimming

Next Swims:
* Thurs 6PM
* Fri 6:15AM & 5:30PM

Last Swim:
*Thursday 6:15 am
Water: 64, flat and clear as glass
Crew: Panini, Showgirl

*Wednesday night?

*Wednesday 6:15 am
Water: 64, flat and clear as glass
Crew: Patriarch, Panini, Showgirl

*Tuesday night?

As the summer swim season winds down, every swim is lightly imbued with nostalgia. When I wake up and I want to stay in my warm bed, I remind myself that the days of swimming are numbered, and every morning swim is a gift.

Panini and I arrived at Klode at the same time this morning.  The po-po were there, having a chit-chat in the middle of the parking lot. We did our best to appear law-abiding, and then rewarded ourselves for that effort with a post-swim skinny dip.

Still Great Swimming

Next Swims:
* Tuesday 9/12 6PM
* Wed 6:15AM & 6PM
* Thu 6:15AM & 6PM
* Fri 6:15AM & 5:30PM

Last Swims:
* Tue 6:15 AM
Water: 63 flat calm, crystal clear
Crew: Showgirl & Patrarch

* Mon 6PM
Water: 66 clear, a little choppy
Crew: Itch & Patriarch

* Mon 6:15AM
Water: 63 small waves
Crew: Panini & Patriarch

Not many people showing up this week, which is a shame because fantastic swimming is still to be had.  Take this morning.  Showgirl and I enjoyed a crimson sunrise while swimming through flat crystal clear water.

This time of year days like today are a gift, and every one could be the last.  Come and enjoy while you still can.

Is It Really 64 Or Did You Make That Up?

Next Swims:
* Mon 9/11 6:15Am & 6PM
* Tue 9/12 6:15AM & 6PM
Note that morning swims are moved to 6:15 because it's too dark at 6AM

Last Swims:
Sun 1PM
Water: 66 1-2 ft waves choppy and rough
Crew: Handyman Hank, Wet Taco, Mark, Gumdrop, Liz, Drangonfly, Diablo, Itch, Magic Mike, Patriarch

Sat 1PM
Water 66 wavy and rough
Crew: Gumdrop, Magic Mike, Super Hera, Wet Taco, Diablo

Saturday 8AM
Big Shoulders, Ohio Street Beach, Chicago
64 very choppy "washing machine" water
Crew: Mitch & Itch 5K no wetsuit, Drangonfly & Patriarch 2.5K wetsuit

Before the race at Big Shoulders I happened to be standing near the announcer's tent when he broadcasts that the water temp is 64.  A very upset lady walks up and angrily says to him, "Is it really 64 or did you just make that up?"

I cracked up because that's exactly what happens when I perform my daily pre-swim water thermometer reading and I announce the result to the crew.  There's almost always someone who doesn't believe it.  Mostly they seem to think the water is colder than it really is.

Now of  course my thermometer could be wrong, but it's always within a degree of Itch's fancy thermometer.  Or it could be that the temperature offshore is cooler than measured right at the water's edge.  But I don't think that's the issue.

For whatever reason they believe the lake is colder, rougher and more polluted than it really is. And any evidence to the contrary must be wrong.  But why do they believe that?   I don't really know but my theory is they're psyched out by the lake and really don't want to swim but don't want to wimp out either. So they resolve the internal conflict by changing the external facts.

I've done the same thing to myself a thousand times.  Before some challenge or other I come up with all the reasons why it's too hard and why I shouldn't even try.  Afterwards I wonder what I was so worried about.

Three Things

Next Swims:
* Fri 9/8 6AM and 5:30Pm
* Saturday 1PM
* Sunday 1PM

Last Swim:
Thursday 9/7 6PM
Water: 65 gentle rollers
Crew: Capt'n, Ziggy, Itch, Moondawg, Patriarch

First: Good Luck to all Big Shoulders and Iron Man competitors this weekend!

Second: Mark Your Calendars!

CLOSE TO THE END OF THE SEASON LAKE MICHIGAN SWIMMERS CELEBRATION

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

2:30 PM--people can still get in a swim at noon

2141 N. BUFFUM ST, MILWAUKEE WI (Handyman Hank and Northshore Nancy's new home--you can take the girl outta the Northshore, but you can't take the Northshore outta the girl). HH and NSN will provide burgers and brats, beer, and soda/water.  They ask that people bring a dish to pass. 

Third: Forger pointed out this worthy endeavor:

 http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/syndicated/duo-walking-332-miles-great-lakes-conservation-awareness/?utm_campaign=Feed:+milwaukeeindependent+(The+Milwaukee+Independent)&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner

Endless Summer - Or At Least It's Not Over Yet

Next Swims:
* Tuesday September 4th, 6AM & 6PM
* Wed 6AM & 6PM
* Thu 6AM & 6PM

Last Swims:
Labor Day
Water: 67 calm
Crew: Handyman Hank, Magic Mike, Wet Taco, Forger, Karen, Drangonfly, Capt'n, Moondawg, Amelia, Becka (sp?), Lennie (sp?), Diablo, Itch, Mark, Molly, Patriarch and special guest John and his Trimiran

Sunday
Water: 70 calm
Crew: Showgirl, Handyman Hank, Magic Mike, Kahuna, Capt'n, Lorraine, Itch, Drangonfly, Kristen, Wade, Diablo, Phil, Molly, Wet Taco, Mr Anonymous, Patriarch

Summer vacation may be over on the calendar but not on the beach.  This was one of the best weekends ever. Despite forecasts of big waves it was smooth as a baby's butt.  The water was a bit cooler Monday, but still very nice.  

Food Truck Brunch at Klode Sunday

Next Swims:
* Sunday noon
* Labor Day noon

Last Swim: Saturday 1PM
Water: 68 gentle rollers - delightful
Crew:  Showgirl, Diablo, Handyman Hank, Magic Mike, Drangonfly, John, Mr. Anonymous, Kahuna, Capt'n, Itch, Patriarch

There is a "Food Truck Brunch" including a beer garden and games for the kids at Klode on Sunday 10AM to 2PM.  Coming for the swimming, stay for the brunch.  It may be difficult to find parking.

Labor Day Weekend Swims

Next Swims:
*Saturday 9/2 1:00PM
* Sunday Noon
* Monday Labor Day Noon

Last Swims:
Fri 9/1 5:30PM
Water: 67, 1 ft waves choppy
Crew: Itch, Wet Taco, Diablo, Capt'n, Patriarch

Thu: No swimmers (that I know of) because of monster waves

Wed 6PM
Water: 68 Calm
Crew: Itch, Moondawg, Magic Mike, Sir James, Lorraine, Super Hera, Nanook, Panini, Patriarch
Wednesday night's swim nearly qualified as a Knucklehead Swim (swimming during a thunderstorm) but we mananged to scramble out of the water before it hit.