Auld lang syne

To unofficially support this non-sponsored Polar Plunge nonevent,  an unauthorized heated shanty will be set at an undisclosed location (Itch's locker) and unlawful  drinks will not be served to unwelcome members. No more details will be provided.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne,

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

Annual New Years Polar Bear SWIM Plan

Date: January 1, 2019
Location: Bradford Beach
Swim Time: Noon
Advance Meeting Time: 11:30 Lake Park Bistro Parking Lot
Beach Arrival Time: 11:45
Beach Meeting Place: directly east of Bradford Beach House

Ahoy Mates....what say you?!?!? Arrr ya' in?

See ya' therrrr if ya darrrr! :)

Full Moon Swim on the

Winter Solstice

Next Swim: McKinley 6PM

We will be doing a pre polar bear swim tonight at McKinley beach at 6PM. It's a great place for visibility of the Full Cold moon (on the winter solstice)  thorough out the night sky (weather dependent), with a good backdrop of the city skyline as well.  Then a hop across the street to Collectivo on the Lake for a warm up if interested.

Too much time, not enough swimming

KLODE KRU

NO VOICES ALLOWED

LAT 43.12 LONG -87.90 

or

Klode Kru

Home of Linduck

LAT 43.12 LONG -87.90 

Nuf Said?

The Wisconsin Bike Fed’s Santa Rampage Ride is tomorrow, Saturday, December 1st, and there is an after party being organized for folks on this side of town at Three Lions Pub. 

The Rampage Ride is a bit of goofy holiday fun that benefits the Bike Fed’s many worthy projects.  The Ride is the gateway drug that have led many astray into the joys of year-round bike commuting and winter riding. Details regarding the Rampage Ride are at this link, and details regarding Greater Shorewood Bikers and Active Shorewood’s after party are below. 

Active Shorewood is holding its Holiday Party this Saturday, December 1^st, 4-6 pm at Three Lions Pub (conveniently scheduled as an after-party to the Wisconsin Bike Fed’s Greater-Milwaukee Santa Rampage Ride). Active Shorewood (a loose consortium of Greater Shorewood Bikers, the Lake Michigan Swimmers, and the Chancellor’s Running Group), promotes year-round riding, running and swimming, and is composed of folks who don’t let a little cold weather or frozen water deter them.  Saturday’s event is open to all like-minded people.  Admission to the Holiday Party is free, but donations at the door to World Bicycle Relief are encouraged.  Santa or other festive costumes also encouraged.    

I hope to see as many of you who can make it out and about at some point tomorrow.  Cheers.    

Festivus!

Please mark your calendars for the following up coming events:

• The Wisconsin Bike Fed's Santa Rampage Ride:  Saturday, December 1st, starting and ending at various locations around Milwaukee.  More details at this webpage:  http://www.bfw.org/rides/santa-cycle-rampage/.  There is the official ride (which involves an entrance fee and a waiver), but does benefit the Bike Fed, and the un-official ride.  Both are an enjoyable way to get a little exercise, have a bit of goofy fun, and spread some holiday cheer.  The Rampage is wonderful gateway drug to the joys of four season cycling. If you've never done the ride, a word of caution:  key to a successful Rampage is pacing oneself when it comes to alcohol consumption.   
• The Kru's Holiday Party December 1^st, 4-6 pm at the back room at Three Lions Pub (conveniently scheduled as an after-party to the Santa Rampage Ride). The event is open to all who enjoy being active, so feel free to invite friends. Admission is free, but donations at the door to World Bicycle Relief are encouraged.  Santa or other festive holiday costumes encouraged.  More details to come soon.  

Eskerrik Asko

Last Swim: Yesterday
Next Swim: Today
Kru: Itch, Diablo, Cormorant
Waves: Wavy
Water: Very Clear
Temp: 41

"We're American! We don't plan, we do".
Word on the street is that a traditional Thanksgiving Swim is being arranged. Wave pending we will be swimming this Thursday time TBD, blah, blah, blah... I recommend winter gear; gloves, booties, more gloves, easy changeable dry clothes, Licor 43... More blah, blah, blah... No excuses, if you do not have winter gear; you can always visit Jake at Lake Effect Surf Shop and get what you need and more.

In the meantime, in preparation for this event I am starting my thankful list:

• Grazie for the Lake
• Danke sher for the Kru, specially when they are quiet
• Merci beaucoup for Seaglass
• Gracias for Driftwood and artists
• Arigato for Stickie Hole (although removed accidentally by strangers - WFB Popo has arranged their best team to find Stickie whereabouts)
• Spasiba for the Bluff
• Takk for the Walls
• Mahalo for sandy beaches
• Efharisto for the Sun and the Moon
• Toda for Kahuna's working legs so he no longer needs to be pushed up the hill in a wheelchair
• Do jeh for after swim shots (Lujo)
• Khop Khun Mak Kha for Landmarks
• Shukran for the Ducks
• Blah, blah, blah...

Well if I do not see you on the beach have a nice Day; if I see you on the beach remember there are other stupid things you could be doing and chose not to.

Sometimes November offers a gift...

...today was one such day.

Last Swim: Saturday at noon
Water Temp: 47
Waves: 1-2 feet out of the ENE
Clarity: I couldn't tell you, I wasn't going in that water at 47 degrees
Crew: Itch, Linda the Lamprey

The remaining leaves popped in the clear sunshine; people raked their lawns; families took walks; and swimmers took to Lake Michigan.

Thursday was the last day of the Milwaukee Film Festival. I watched Kim Swims, a documentary about the first woman to swim from the Farallon Islands to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, a distance of almost 30 miles. She over for almost 17 hours! In the course of what is a very good movie, she describes particular pleasure many swimmers feel in the open water. She also shows herself to be totally badass and one hell of an athlete. Check it out here. Go to the "See the Film" link and rent it for $3.99.
It's worth it.

Full Moon Swim  

Last Swim; Tue 10-23-18

Beach: Klode
Water temp: 48
Air Temp: 48
Waves: Sunset/moon rise  lit with lively  2-3 foot swell in about 3/4 time
Water Clarity: mystic
Crew: Moon Daug 
Shore support; Diablo, Wet Tacho, Synchro

Next swim; I think Itch is still holding  5:30 on week days, and noon on weekends, post to be sure 

On the walk down half the crew was on their way up. After a little bit of banter and arm twisting some were convinced to head back down for another look, others were more responsible.  The waves were loud, and the skies relatively clear.  As the close proximity of the rising moon and setting sun put its particular shine on the water, the Viking swim ensued. 

At the after swim celebration party, possible designs for beach saunas, the nature of true love and happiness (possibly related to the fore-mentioned),  and proper beach etiquette (when in doubt one can wear dark sun shades or cheap sun glasses :)) were discussed. Also mentioned was Captn's annual Halloween party (Terror at Ted's). All Klode members are invited This Sat (today)

Hunters Full Moon Swim

Next swim; Tuesday  5:50PM, California Pizza afterwards

Please join us tomorrow for a great changing of the season swim. As the sun is setting at 5:56, the moon will be rising at 5:55. The mingling of the two lights on the colored autumn leaves along the shore promises to be spectacular, as a touch of crisp autumn air heightens the senses. Swim skin, or suite up, for this beautiful but short celebration.

Afterwards, nice warm libation and pizza at California Pizza, where we can ruminate upon the seasons stories (or make them up!) about our fav times/people.

Moon Swim!!

Last Swim:  Thursday, 5:15 - 5:45 pm

Sunset:  6:03

Air Temp:  56 with clear sky

Water Temp: 51

Waves: Fairly calm w/some ripples

Water Quality:  Pretty nice, but not crystal clear.  Water very clean.  

Crew:  Itch, Diablo, Mr. Bubble and out of town guest Mary Ann.

Shore SAG:  HandyMan Hank

It was fun to introduce my co-worker, Mary Ann to the Klode Kru experience.  She's from Effingham, IL, and is an open water swimmer, but this was the first time she'd ever been in Lake Michigan.  It was also the first time for her swimming in cold water and only the second time she'd worn her wet suit.

Overall, it was a great evening for a swim.  Itch and Hank arrived just as Mary Ann and I were getting in our wet suits.  Learned that the Official water temp was 51 degrees, just before stepping in.  Itch came in the water shortly thereafter.  Mary Ann was struggling a little bit, so Itch made sure she was OK.  Diablo swam out just as I was swimming in.  

So, I thought swimming in 51 degree water would be no problem, and it really wasn't.  Until I got out.  I wasn't expecting to shiver like that.  Both Itch and Diablo ask "Where's your jacket?" Sweat pants and sweat shirt weren't cutting it.  

The sun is down and the moon is up when we make our toast "Moon Swim!" Mary Ann's first shot of Killepitsch.  She likes it!  Some debate about whether or not this is a good batch.  

Next Swim - Seems like Itch reliably arrives weekdays at 5:30.  Diablo comes by closer to 6.

This weekend?  Noon again?  Not sure how much interest there'll be if the weather forecast for this weekend holds up.  

The Beach Art Project was much advanced on Sunday.  Working title:  "The Yin-Yonic Implications of [removed.]"  (I believe this groundbreaking work is currently unfunded, and the artists are donating their time. TBD pending final sale, which I hope will in turn help construct the planned LM Swimmers Beach Clubhouse...please share your Gallery connections...)

One more fairly nice day

Last Swim:  Tuesday, 5:22 pm

Air Temp:  Mid to upper 70s

Water Temp: 60

Waves:  1 - 2 feet

Clarity:  Murky, some junk along the shore

Crew:  Moon Daug, Handyman Hank, Mr. Bubble, Itch

Late Arrival/Parking Lot Support:  Diablo

Little bit better today than yesterday.  Water not quite as choppy and a tiny bit cleaner.  Air temp about the same on the beach as on top the hill - beach was colder yesterday.  No biting flies!

Next Swim?  

Indian Summer

Next Swim: 5:20 pm Tuesday?
Last Swim:  Monday 5:15/5:30
Water Temp: 59.5 on the shore, felt more like 55.9 away from shore
Waves: 2-3 feet
Clarity:  Nah,  Lots of junk along the shore, cleaner further out but not clear
Crew:  Mr. Bubble, Handyman Hank, We'Taco, Itch, Drangonfly
Shore Support:  Northshore Nancy

Another even warmer warm day.  More in store for tomorrow.
Reportedly lots of heavy wave action earlier in the day.  Small Craft Advisory cancelled by 4 so must have settled down.

Sunset Tuesday is 6:19, so I figured 5:20 would be a little better meet up time.  Earlier times are tough for me, too.  But then again, how many more days like today?

No hace frío cuando bebemos café con Cuarenta y Tres

Next Swim:  5:15 pm, Mon-Fri?  (Sunset will be 6:15 by Friday)
Last Beach Inspection:  Noon Sunday
Water Temp: 55
Wind:  20+ mph easily along the lake
Waves:  Huge, crashing over the rocks
Clarity:  Light brown for 1/4 mile along shore, lots of debris
Shore Crew:  Patriarch, Kahuna, Itch, Diablo, Mr. Bubble

Rough day - no swimmers, no surfers, big pieces of driftwood, pounding waves crashing every few seconds.

Kahuna saved the day spreading around samples of some Cuarenta y Tres liquer with warm coffee.
"This is really good!" - it was unanimous!

Here's a photo from Kahuna showing the cultural pursuits we were pursuing in lieu of swimming.

Kahuna's Kommentary

Diablo contemplating his great work of modern art, just before it descended into the Lake’s Shredder.

Oh the impermanence of Life, Art, and Lake Swims. 

 And alcohol. 

Topping off his demonic Ceremonial Tree of Fall with his anti-star, supported by his acolytes.  

Will this black ritual undue the curse cast upon the Lake by the fool who pronounced yesterday “that there’s plenty of good swimming left this season”?  

Ah, but that same person also pronounced that we should visit Klode as often as possible - so this photo shows we doing our part.  

Forecast for tommorow looking better

60 - 60

Next swim: Sunday, noon
(unless the Packer game conflict is real enough for folks that they'd want to sway the group toward an earlier time--debate in the comments)

Last swim: Saturday, noon
Water temp: 59
Waves: regular, small, gentle waves from the north
Clarity: Blue green, slightly murky, couldn't see the bottom
Crew: Mr. Bubble, Stickler, Itch, Panini, Diablo, Magic Mike

With both air and water temps near 60, we had a 60-60 swim. This may well be the best we can hope for as October advances: no bugs and no bitter winds on shore; nothing that causes pain in the water. As we swam north along the shore, we saw that the colors are starting to hint at what they'll become by the third week of October. You know there'll be a fair share of summer-like days between now and then.

In each of the last two years, we swam into November. This means that there are weeks and weeks of swimming to be enjoyed down at the beach. Don't let it pass without heading to Klode as often as possible.

Surfs Up

Water:  55

Air:  53

Waves: Yes

Wind:  Oh yeah, maybe 20 mph

Clarity: Yeah, right

Shore Support:  Itch, Synchro, Mr. Bubble

Pulled in to the parking lot to find only Itch and Synchro, and strong winds pushing the flag around.

Synchro's wearing gloves - "I'm not swimming"

Walk Down, thinking "Well, if Itch is swimming, I'm swimming, too"

Get to the beach and see what at first looked like a couple of logs bobbing around on the waves, then noticed the logs were paddling on surfboards.

Itch performs the ritual with the Itch-O-Meter, Mr Bubble gets out swimcap, goggles

Itch - "Are you swimming?"

Mr. Bubble - "Aren't you?"

Itch - "Hell no.  The water is 55 degrees"

End of discussion

Surfers come out to chat with us - 

"Are you guys the Klode Kru? You guys are really out there!"
#irony

Morning Swims Return!

Next swim: 5:30PM, M-F, 6:30AM Friday? (text or comment if you want to swim Friday morning)

6:30am Thursday Morning:
Water temp: 57
Air Temp: 53
Waves: out of the north, and building fast
Clarity: none
Crew: Julie, Showgirl

6:30am Wednesday Morning:
Water temp: 59
Air Temp: ? warm
Waves: rollers out of the south
Clarity: none
Crew: Julie, Showgirl, Cormorant (the bird, not the person)

Morning swim time has slid to 6:30AM.

Julie and I swam Wednesday and Thursday mornings this week.

Today we did a quick swim to the north sewerpipe, just as the sun came up and the wind arrived. By the time we got back, the wind was causing my barbie to  hit me in the head-- a new experience. The air was cool enough that it felt better to stay in the 57F water than dash to my towel in the low-50's air.  We were nearly at the beach when we decided to do a last minute swim around the rock pile-- it's hard to let go of the swim. 

Wednesday the waves were out of the south, so we swam just past picnic table, enjoyed the sun peeking through the clouds, and  headed back.

Julie prays for a warm-water miracle from the god of water. Her prayers were not answered.

Today's pictures courtesy of Terri Hart-Ellis, by way of NSN.

Fuck the Pool!!

Last Swim:  Wednesday, 5:30
Water Temp:  62.5 degrees
Air Temp: 82.5 degrees?
Waves:  Yeah baby!  Nice swells, at least 3-4 feet
Clarity:  Not terribly clear but not muddy or murky
Crew (in order of appearance):  Mr. Bubble, Synchro, Handyman Hank, Itch, Kahuna, Moon Daug, Diablo, We'Taco
Shore Support:  NorthShore Nancy

To state the obvious - OMG!  What a beautiful warm day. 
So, we all enjoyed the lovely weather and were grateful for the reasonable water temperature. 
All the same, none of us had any illusions - this can't last forever. 
Our embrace of today's warm weather lead to some optimistic thoughts about the future:
"Are we going to have a post season party somewhere, sometime?"
"Thanksgiving Day swim is a thing - who's in?"

But then, just before the Pitsch was poured, Mr. Bubble had to burst everyone's bubble by mentioning a most unwelcome subject - SWIMMING IN A POOL 😓😖😝😡😢😣😧😫😬😭

Strong emotions all around inspired Itch to make a heartfelt toast. 
Nay, it was more than a toast, it was a rallying cry FUCK THE POOL!  

Tune into tomorrow for another episode of Thermal Inversion:  The Series


 

Swimming in Autumn

Beach: Klode
Water temp: 60
Air Temp: 60
Waves: a longish and slight undulating structure
Water Clarity: cloudy
Crew: Itch, Synchro, Stickler, Moon Daug, Diablo
Next swim: Klode, 5:30 PM, M-F
Skin:2, suit-3

   The walk down, scattered with fallen golden leaves,  was a nice prequel to a spectacular autumn swim. As Stickler mentioned the buoy that takes pictures of the waves about 2 K out from Atwater, we were anticipating a nice wave structure, and were not disappointed.  The fall air and water temperature were refreshing, and the graceful long wave structures were mesmerizing as one observed the changing leaf colors along the shore. Upon exit Synchro pointed out two owls flying above.

   Talk ensued from some about the ending of the season and how it should be celebrated. While others were not planning on ending anything. Perhaps a compromise can be made -celebrating the changing of seasons, while not declaring an ending to swim season, as some have swum all winter long in the past.

    Also mentioned were winter swim escapes to California,  particularly La Jolla Cove. There is a nice swim group that regularly swims out of there and organizes open water swims/races. It's a beautiful area, a protected park with lots of fish, seals, and sea lions. A group showing perhaps can be arranged with lodgings if enough people are interested?

Thermal Inversion

Next Swims:  Sunday @ Noon
Mon - Fri:  5:30 pm?

Last Swim:  Saturday Noon
Water Temp: 61 degrees on the Itch-o-meter, 57 on the Macho-meter
Waves:  Ripples
Clarity:  Nice!
Crew:  Magic Mike, Cap'n, We'Taco, Itch, Mr. Anonymous, Julie and Mr. Bubble

Another great day for a swim!  Even nicer when the sun came out for a moment here and there.  Water much clearer than earlier this week.  Best of all - no bugs!

Biked up to Klode pre-occupied with two thoughts:
(1) Will anyone else be there when I arrive?  Itch probably, maybe one other person
(2) The water will definitely be warmer than the air, it's been in the low 60's last few times I've been, so it must still be in the low 60's

Magic Mike and I debating the validity of Thought #2 as Thought #1 was being invalidated.  Mike citing empirical data about the lake getting cooler, I'm citing metaphysics - Yin and Yang - since Thought #1 was invalid, Thought #2 must be valid.

We'Taco and I discussing the nature of our addictions - our lives revolve around getting our next fix.  Julie sharing her Family and Social History - how she came to swim with a noodle looped around her ankle.

Have a great swim tomorrow everyone.  I'll be doing Jhawk Latebird - tomorrow's supposed to be colder so today was a warm up.

Twilight Zone

Last Swim:  Monday, 5:45 pm
Water Temperature:  65 degrees
Waves:  3 feet?  (according to Atwater Buoy)
Clarity:  Shades of brown
Crew:  Itch, Synchro, Innagadavida
Shore Support:  Cameo by We'taco

Grey skies with some grey fog, light brown water, although not as muddy and trashy as some recent days.  Air was not terribly warm and it was a little windy.  All in all, not the kind of day that most people would think - "OMG, I just gotta go straight to the beach and go swimming!  Can't wait!" 

Innagadavida actually said it was an "ugly day".

On top of all that...it started drizzling lightly during the swim. 

Which brings me to a philosophical question I've been pondering lately...Why do we do this?  Why do we keep coming back?  What draws us to the water, even on the "ugly days"?

It finally came to me on the drive home...I do this for the same reason that Tony the Tiger loves Frosted Flakes - THEY'RE GREAT!

Crisp fall air

Next swims: Sunday @ noon
Mon-Fri 6:15am and 5:45pm

Last Swims: Friday night
Water Temp: 67
Waves: easy going risers
Clarity: Good if all you need is to see the hand at the end of your arm
Crew: Itch, Stickler, We'Taco, Magic Mike
Shore support: Patriarch, Diablo, Handyman Hank, Synchro

Saturday, noon:
Water Temp: 63
Waves: swells of 2-3 feet with a chop all mixed in
Clarity: nasty in close; blue-green and slightly murky a little further out
Crew: Diablo, Itch, Linda the Lamprey, Mr. Bubble, Dan, Magic Mike

On Friday night We'Taco and I were huddling in the shallows of the cove to stay out of the whipping north wind. The water was the warmest place to be. We were talking about how, even though summer is gorgeous and hard to beat, there is something special about fall swims: the sense of stolen time, not knowing how many more swims we have left, being really glad we have THIS swim. Then Itch and Stickler swam in, everyone got out, hustled into warm and dry, took a shot, and strode into the weekend.

Itch dubbed Saturday the third best swim of the season. Pitsch. Then some went off to Doors Open, MKE. Was that only me?

Best season of the swim!

Last Swim:  Thursday, 5:45 pm
Water Temperature:  68
Waves:  Fun swells
Clarity:  Mixed - total mud puddle close to shore, clearer with some trash and debris further out
Crew:  Kuhuna, Itch, Patriarch, Synchro, Capn', Ziggy, Stickler, Mr. Bubble

I'm sure all would agree this has been a great season - I've heard many say so during the last few weeks.  Hence my toast last night - a Spoonerism of our usual toast. 

The water was beautifully warm, and quite delightful after you got past the Brown 25 along the shore.  Once we got  into the clearer water, there were still some Close Enounters with flotsam and jetsam.  Kahuna said he had a Close Encounter with a tree limb and Ziggy (I think) said she swam straight into a branch.

Kahuna, Cap'n and I stopped to chat during the swim.  While Kahuna was telling the story of his Close Encounter, Cap'n all of a sudden exclaims - "Look, a Baby Ruth!", and throws it at Kahuna.  I don't think it was really a candy bar.  I think it was actually a piece of Brown 25. 

While waiting for the Killepitsch to be served up, Synchro introduced us to Xtabentun - a Mayan liquer made of honey with an aftertaste of licorice - pretty good actually. 

Then the Killepitsch was served up and there was mutual agreement - good batch!  Tastes much better than Robitussin!

Someone asked "When did the Kru start drinking the pitsch as part of the ritual?"  Condensed version of the story - 2006. 

WWDD? WWSHD?

Next Swims:  Wednesday thru Friday 6:15AM and 5:45PM

Last  Swim:  Wednesday 09/19 6:15am
Water Temp: warm
Waves: biggish, covered in chop
Clarity: zero
Crew:  Showgirl, Barbie, probably Diablo

I arrived at the parking lot at 6:15-ish and the barriers were still up. But the barriers are no barrier to swimming, my friends.

That said, no other swimmers felt like a barrier.

Largeish waves felt like a barrier.

Crud floating in the water felt like a barrier.

But then I asked myself, "what would Diablo do?" What would Super Hera do?"

At this point, there was a red glow on the horizon. The water felt warm and inviting. The breeze kept the mosquitoes  at bay. So I decided to enjoy the sunrise while on a short swim to the sewerpipe. 

The sun came up just as I got outside the rock piles. Though the sky was gray, there was a cloudless gap just along the horizon. The sun rose bright red, and then disappeared behind the clouds.

Rain, Lightening, Big Waves, (and the Ever-Present Super-Abundant Flying A**holes)

Next Swims:  Monday thru Friday 6:15AM and 5:45PM

Last (failed) Swim:  Tuesday 09/15 6:15am
Water Temp: warm
Waves: BIG
Clarity: zero
Crew:  Julie, Showgirl

Last (successful) Swims:  Julie says Monday morning was an amazing swim to the Love Rock, and I'm sure there was a Monday night swim

Before heading to the beach tis morning, I had checked the weather on my phone and listened to the weather on the radio, and both forecasts clearly missed the mark.

Julie and I optimistically arrived in the parking lot at the new, 6:15AM swim time.  The air temp was dropping, the wind was kicking up, the sky was ominous, and we could hear waves  hitting the beach.  (And mosquitoes, of course, but why waste more time discussing those bastards?)

Julie said, "how about a quick one?" and we grabbed our stuff and headed down the stairs. Once on the beach, the waves were daunting, with breakers close to shore and big splashes over the rock piles.

Queue the lightening flashes.

(I have NO idea what that yellow horizontal line is. Just ignore it.)

(Yellow line again?? Perhaps an alien spacecraft moving too fast for the naked eye? Horizontal lightening flash?)

We had some lovely beach chit-chat, slapped at the mosqitoes (little blood-sucking f*ers), took some pics, admired the lone red tree that's on the way to mudslide, and finally relinquished our hopes for a swim.

The rain held off until we were almost up the ramp. Here's hoping for clear weather this evening.

Weekday swim Times

Next Swims:  Monday thru Friday 6:15AM and 5:45PM

Due to shorter days we need to modify the weekday swim times. After much discussion we settled on 6:15 AM for the morning swim and 5:45 for the evening swim.

Also, we could use some help with blog posting.  if you would like to be a blog author send me your email address and I will get you added as an author.

Weekend Looks Good

Next Swims:
- Friday 9/14 5:30PM
- Saturday Noon (Shipwreck swim at Atwater beach)
- Sunday noon, Klode

Last Swim:  Thursday 9/13 6PM
Water Temp: 66
Waves:  Almost Calm
Water Clarity: Good and improving
Crew:  Itch, Mr. Bubble, Drangonfly, Stickler, Leslie, Sir James, Patriarch

Despite the shorter days there’s still good swimming to be had.  Water temps have been holding in the mid-sixties.  The forecast for the weekend is sunny, warm, low winds, and nearly calm water.

Itch has proposed a shipwreck swim on Saturday.  Our last two attempts were foiled by murky water. It could happen again but there’s reason for optimism as the water clarity has been improving.

As for next week, I think it’s time we bow to the inevitable and move the weekday morning swim later and the evening swim earlier.  I propose 6:30AM and 5:30PM for the weekday swims.  Please comment.

P.S.  Please note that tonight’s (Friday) swim has been moved up to 5:30PM

Fwa, Fwa, Fwa

Next Swim:
   Mon-Fri 6am & 6pm

Last Swim:
    Sunday noon
       Water Temp: High 60's
       Waves: Yep; Waves 4' to 6'
       Clarity: not really
       Driftwood: lots, and lots on the beach
       Crew: Magic Mike, Moondawg, innagaddadavida, Kahuna, Dipper Guy
       Shore Support: Dragonfly, Itch, Diablo, a first-timer who's name may have been elisa, Squezakahuna, and Houndakahuna, 

Sunny skies, reasonably warm water, white caps and pounding surf hitting the rocks greeted the Kru as we descended down the path today.  A good time was had as the Kru headed north, most of us made it almost to birches, moondawg going further.  Dipper Guy just played in the waves in the cove.  More of a battle coming back.  A rousing game of "get the stick in the hole" and "get the rock in the hole" was enjoyed by most on our return. Below is some video of the four of us out there. 

We have reached that stage of the season where we may want to move the morning swim a little later, like to 6:15 or 6:30.  But for now, I've indicated 6:00.   

Finally, for those of you who have been waiting to see the drone footage from the attempted shipwreck swim from a weeks weeks back, try clicking on this link:  

 LM Swimmers.m4v

BIG FOLDERS

Next Swims:
   Sunday at Noon

Last (attempted) Swim Race:
   Location:  Ohio Street Beach, Chicago
   Saturday 09/08 8 a.m.
   Water temp: 7o degrees?
   Waves: 2-4 feet out of the NorEast
   Clarity: not so much
   Crew: Dragonfly, Mr. A, Itch, Kahuna

Well, somebody had to post a new blog someday, so I guess it's me.  

Here's a picture of your Kru's traveling team ready to race:  

But alas and alack, a bunch of TWO-FACED CHICAGO BEARS FANS:

• who managed to suck $320 collectively out of our pockets back in March to get us to register for Big Shoulders (plus the expense associated today with  gas, plus parking, plus mileage);
• who yesterday at noon sent us an email stating "For those nervous folks who keep asking if the race is a go, YES, it’s a go.  In 27 years, we have had once cancellation, and that was 9 foot waves and water spouts on the lake."
• who managed to get us up this morning at 4:00 a.m.; and
• who managed not to have the basic human decency to send us an email this morning telling us the race was cancelled;

decided to cancel today's race as we arrived at the beach.  Arrrrrggghhhh!  "But the water temp is a delightful 70 degrees or so, and the waves are only 2 to 4 feet, what do you mean your cancelling the race?!?!" 

But, externalities affect us not, as Frankl tells us that while we cannot avoid suffering, we can choose how to cope with it, find new meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose.  Your team chose to deal with the slings and arrows of this morning by going for a short 20 minute fun-and-picturesque swim, taking a team photo with one of our colorful new high-tech swag beach towels (see above), and toasting something or other (it really matters not) with a shot of Killepitsch.  My new purpose in life is henceforth to hate all things Chicago-related (at least for the rest of this weekend), bringing me to: THE BEARS STILL SUCK!  GO PACK GO! 

Tomorrow is another day.  Hope springs eternal in the human breast.  The "sun'll come out tomorrow" (or at least that's the forecast, along with forecasted persistent easterly winds over the next 48 hours).  And the buoy temp looks to be hanging consistently at 66 to 68 degrees over the last 48 hours, so Itch is predicting that tomorrow's swim is going to be the BEST SWIM OF THE SEASON, WITHOUT A DOUBT.  Hope to see you there. 

Rain Out, Freeze Out

Next Swims:
   Sunday & Monday at Noon

Last (attempted) Swim:
 Saturday 09/01 noon
 Water temp: FORTY-NINE
 Waves: swells out of the south
 Clarity: zero
 Crew: Kahuna, Magic Mike, Cap'n, Patriarch, Showgirl

Six of us arrived in the parking lot at noon. Some fished around in their cars for raingear.

Yet still we were optimistic.

Amateur meteorologists that we are, we all agreed that the threat of thunderstorms was past.

The rain increased as we took the stairs down to the beach.

Only Itch and I made our way to the water and got out our thermometers. Even before the temperature readout began dropping, my feet were speaking the truth. Patriarch approached, and when I said, "forty-nine" he retreated to safety.

Itch expressed profound ambivalence regarding the lack of swimming, but we commenced to comfort ourselves with alcohol-- tiny bubbles courtesy of Itch.

Sunday is looking much better.

Oh yeah, the haikru contest continues, see yesterday's post.

5 - 7 - 5

Next Swims:
   Friday at 5:30pm
   Saturday, Sunday & Monday at Noon

Last Swim:
Friday 08/31 6am
 Water temp: 62.5
Waves: swells out of the south
Clarity: zero
Crew: Kahuna, Magic Mike, Scooby, Showgirl

The sun had not crossed the horizon when we arrived at the beach this morning.

The Kru photographer generously stayed on shore in order to capture this lovely photo, as we headed south around the rock pile. It was a bit chilly for those of us used to the above 70 temps, but we cruised to the south sewer pipe, with a salute to the Love rock.

Kahuna is sponsoring a Kru Haiku contest. (hey! that rhymes!... or... haikru??) As of course you know, "Haiku" is a traditional form of Japanese poetry. Haiku poems consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. The lines rarely rhyme.

Here is Kahuna's composition to get us started:

Cold lake slaps me good,
But sun’s there, might as well swim
Here, love shack and back


Here's my submission:
Water quality
May be green, red, or yellow
We swim regardless.

Add your haikru to the comments. The winner will receive a free shot of Killepitsch and have their Lake Michigan swimming dues waived for one month.

Kahuna's Reminder at SNAPTACULAR Morning Swim

Next Swims:
   Thursday (8/30) at 6pm
   Friday at 6am & 6pm
   Saturday, Sunday & Monday at Noon

Last Swim:
   Thursday (8/30) at 6am
      Water temp: DECENT (60.4 shoreline but warmer further out)
      Air Temp: 58 & Sunny
      Waves: rippled surface with gentle 1-2ft waves
      Clarity: clear
      Crew: Diablo, Kahuna, Ziggy, Snap, Mike, Capt'n

Another SNAPTACULAR morning swim.  Pictures compliments of Snap and Kahuna.

Kahuna's Reminder: “sleep on the hillside and watch the sunrise, before summer and one’s oh so brief youth is gone.”