Hands!

Next Swims:  Friday June 29th 6PM
Saturday June 30th and Sunday July 1st, noon both days

Last Swims:  Wed & Thu 6PM, Fri 6AM
Water Temps:  Low to mid sixties
Waves:  A bit choppy
Water Clairity:  Improving!
Wed PM Crew:  Itch, Lorraine, Synchro, Patriarch
Thu PM Crew: Itch, Lorraine, Drangonfly, Patriarch
Fri AM Crew:  Scuba Steve, Kahuna, Patriarch, also a Diablo sighting

So there’s a new sign on the south end of the beach.  “PRIVATE PROPERTY NO TRESPASSING”.   I’m guessing it’s the work of the person who’s property borders the beach, the same person building the huge new wall next to the parking lot.  Anyone care to guess what that might cost?

I imagine the new sign will be about as effective as the existing signs:  “STAY OFF ROCKS”, “NO DOGS ALLOWED” AND “NO ALCOHOL”.  (Guilty as charged, Your Honor.)

There is a strange new sight in the water.  My hands!  After two weeks or more of murkiness it is finally clearing!

Many people have been suggesting different swim times, both earlier and later, for both the weekday and weekend swims.  Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a consensus.  All I can say is that the rest of won’t feel bad if you choose to swim at a different time, in fact I would encourage you to post your plans in case others would be interested.  And if you have time write a post-swim comment about your adventure.

Blah, Blah, Blog

Next Swims: Monday thru Friday 6AM and 6PM

Last Swims:  Thurs. 06/28
Water Temp:  According to Showgirl 62 (liar)
Waves: Flat
Water Clarity: Good, improving
Crew: Showgirl, Panini, Prof. Magic Mike, Mr. A, Diablo, Forger, Kahuna, Flipperman.
Shore Support:  Three Drunk Guys from Saudi, Mrs. Ommmm
Skin/Wetsuit:  4/2

A beautiful, sunny, warm day greeted us as we arrived at the appointed hour, and examined progress on the "Great Wall of Klode."  Water temp this morning seemed more "aye, alright," then "roastin'" upon entry, but everyone had a nice swim North, each getting to at least the birches (except for Flipperman, whose excursions always are shrouded in mystery).  

We were met on the beach when we returned by three MSOE students from Saudi, who were loudly enjoying themselves a good deal, and offered to share their breakfast vodka with me.  Generous, gregarious and three sheets to the wind at 7 a.m. on a work day -- clearly, qualified candidates for the Kru.  Professor Magic Mike avoided them, as he suspected one of them may have taken one of his classes, and that he had failed him (correction, "I don't fail students, students fail themselves.").  Harsh, but true.    

Looks like it could be a good weekend for swimming.  Noon each day?  

Stop by the Shorewood Criterium this evening and watch Team Pendleton Legal (or Team Kiwis, we really haven't locked in a name yet), including Kahuna and Handyman Hank compete in the Three Lions Trike Race.  Races start at 6 (details below).  We still have one slot to fill on the roster, so let me know if you are interested.

And finally, we will miss Panini, who will leave us for a few weeks to visit relatives in the old country.  She of course doesn't have to bring me anything back from India, but if she is trying to find just the right thing, I've always wanted my very own elephant.  What an ideal way for more friends and I to be transported down from and up to the parking lot, and I could train my Mr. Snuffleupagus to hose off our feet post-swim!  Bon voyage Panini!    

What Would Scooby Do?

Next Swims: Monday thru Friday 6AM and 6PM

Last Swims:  Wednesday 06/27
Water Temp:  61-ish
Waves: 2-3ft out of the northeast
Water Clarity: zero
Crew: Scooby, Showgirl, Flipper Guy, Diablo?

I left it to fate whether I would swim today by not setting an alarm. So when I woke up at 5:40, it could have gone either way.  But... I had hope for a miracle-- that I'd arrive at the beach and find flat water.

I also had it in my head that if no one else showed up, I'd bag it.

But <sigh> there was Scooby in the parking lot. We walked down the ramp to the sound of the waves.  It was less wavy than yesterday, but not by much. I put on barbie and said, "sewerpipe."

Oh yeah-- it was also raining.

We pushed our way thru the waves to the sewerpipe, and that was enough for me. The return trip was far speedier, and back at the beach I was, as always, very happy that I swam.

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Update From Kahuna -
I am forming a team to compete in the "'Save The Nuts!' 1st Annual Charity Tricycle Race" at Three Lions Pub, this Thursday Evening. This is a charity event benefiting the Testicular Cancer Foundation. Teams are composed of 8 persons (I have about 5 team members so far), and the pub provides the adult sized trikes. I need 7 other members to have a team. Participation is free, as I'm paying the entrance fee and will handle the registration for the team. You can find out more about the event by going to eventbrite.com, and then searching on "Save the Nuts." I think registration starts at 5, races start at 6, but I'm not sure. (Be sure to send me your email address, so I can coordinate with you.) That's the same night as the Shorewood Criterium, so if you are planning on attending that, why not trike race as well? Let me know if you are able to be on the team, as I want to get the roster together and the registration in before they fill up. Thanks!
I'm not sure of the team name yet, nominations welcome. I'm also not sure about team uniforms, if any. Again, nominations welcome.

No Picnic....... Table

Next Swims: Monday thru Friday 6AM and 6PM

Last Swims:  Tuesday 06/26
Water Temp:  60-ish
Waves: 2-3ft
Water Clarity: zero, with lots of debris near shore
Crew: Mike, Showgirl, Diablo on the early shift, Flipper Guy
Skin/Suit: 1/2

As I drove to Klode this morning, I visualized flat, clear water. Unfortunately, the law of attraction failed, and we heard the waves from the top of the ramp.

It was so wavy I had a hard time standing in the water with the thermometer, so my 60-ish temp is kind of a guess. We suited up, and I acknowledged that I was likely spending more time getting ready to swim than I would spend actually swimming.

We swam south into the waves. They were big enough so that sometimes it got dark as you swam in the trough of the wave and the crest blocked out the sun. I made it to the picnic table, except the little beach where the picnic table resides is kind of gone, as is the table. Hopefully when the water calms down it will return, but we may need a Kahuna-style excavation mission to resurrect the table.

It was still a beautiful morning at the beach. Also notable: today was the first 2018 sighting of Flipper Guy.

p.s. see the comments from yesterday regarding Kahuna's entry in the charity tricycle at Shorewood's TOAD race this Thursday. He's looking for participants.

In Search Of Blue

Next Swims: Monday thru Friday 6AM and 6PM

Last Swims:  Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th noon both days
Water Temp:  low sixties
Waves: 1-2 ft choppy
Water Clairity:  Slowly improving after last weeks storms
Saturday Crew: Sir James, Kahuna, Diablo, Amelia, Panini, Drangonfly, Mr. Anonymous, Handyman Hank, Itch, Capt’n, El Jefe, Nanook, Gumdog Moondrop, Mike, Patriarch
Sunday Crew: Lamprey, Sir James, Showgirl, Panini, Kahuna, Stephanie, Itch, Magic Mike, Liz, Gumdog Moondrop, Diablo, Drangonfly, Mike, Patriarch

Much discussion about the strip of brown water extending out from shore after last week’s storms.  Raw sewage dumped by MMSD?  Possible, but we are many miles from the dumping, and no one has seen any turds in the water (other than Capt’n).  Storm sewer run off from street sewers?  More likely.  Or just stirred up silt and sand?  Or a combination of all three?

 On Saturday some swimmers were so determined to swim in blue water they swam straight out (normally we parallel the shore) a quarter mile or more to where brown ended and blue began.  Fortunately it’s no longer necessary - the brown water is gone!  

P.S.  Happy Swimiversary to Showgirl!  Thanks to Panini for bringing cupcakes to the celebration.

Three Strikes, but... Elephants and Lions!

Next Swims: Saturday, Sunday noon

Last Swim:    NO
Water: 58.5F
Clarity:          NO
Waves: YES- 2 foot disorganized
Crew: NO (maybe Diablo)
Shore Support:Showgirl
Skin/Suit:  NO

Last Ride on the Ghost Train: Thursday 9:00PM, 9:15PM, 9:30PM
Water: YES (falling from the sky)
Custard:         YES
Scoopy: NO
Crew: Kahuna, Patriarch, Showgirl, Icedog, David, Austin, plus hundreds of nameless others

Well, this morning was pretty much in full violation of my Rule of Goodness. There was cold air, cold water, and plenty of annoying waves. There were no other swimmers to join me in the water. There were no cars in the lot, no walkers, no dogs, no yoga-moms, no seagulls, no cormorants.

There was the usual abundance of beauty and peacefulness, so I took a few moments to enjoy that, and went home to drink coffee.

But you're not here for my swimming update. You want to know about last night's ride on the Circus Train. It was awesome! I was undaunted by the rain, the thousands of other train-viewers, nor by the teenage cynicism of my son and his friend.

Unfortunately, I was so caught up in my enthusiasm to acquire custard, that I missed being on the bridge for Kahuna's Greater Shorewood Bikers photo-op.  However, I did fight my way thru the crowds, and was below watching the train. I heard Kahuna enthusiastically directing hundreds of cyclists across the bridge in sync with the first run of the train.

The excitement continued to build as the 9:15 southbound train came and went. Finally, it was time for the main event. The custard was long gone. We eagerly stood on the Corner Bakery's crowded patio, in breathless anticipation of the Circus Train. The horn blew in the distance. Circus music played, dazzling lights flashed, lions roared, elephants trumpeted, birds squawked, and then... as quickly as it came, it rolled off into the distance, never to be seen again. (Until Saturday.)

Scoopy was a no-show.

p.s. Sunday is my Klode Kru swim-a-versary. This is my NINTH summer swimming with the Kru. If you come and swim with me on Sunday, I guarantee the same level of excitement and delight as a ride on the Circus Train.

Still Agitating, but on the Gentle Cycle + Ride the Circus Train TONIGHT!

Next Swims: M-F 6am and 6pm

Last Swim: Thursday 6am
Water: 57.9F
Clarity: still crap, but to be clear, there is no ACTUAL CRAP in the water
Waves: 1foot waves, becoming more like swells
Crew: Panini, Showgirl, Mike (Laguna?), and welcome to Elise (Mike's neighbor and speed-of-light swimmer), Diablo on the early shift
Skin/Suit:  2 / 3

It was sprinkling lightly this morning, but we're going to get wet anyway, amiright?

Morning swims are usually known for their calm, beautiful water, but this week has belied that.  Today's waves were smaller than yesterday, and acting more like swells, so that as you look towards shore, you feel like you're looking downhill. It's a fun, odd sensation.

Our new-ish swimmer Mike, reeled in his neighbor, Elise, so that this morning's swim was an unusual tribute to Team Estrogen-- more females than males

In spite of the less than optimum conditions, it was still an awesome swim.

Please begin to cast your votes in the comments for your preferred weekend swim times.

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06/21 - TONIGHT -“Bike Night” at Culver’s and the Corner Bakery

Shorewood Bike Night: Custard & “Ride the Ghost Train”, at Culver’s and the Corner Bakery. Enjoy some yummy custard or a sandwich, then at 9:00 help us get some great video and pictures as bike riders get up on the Oak Leaf Trail and “ride the ghost train” as it speeds its spectral way North (more fun at 9:15, when it speeds its spooky way South). BONUS, special run of the Circus Train at 9:30pm (which normally runs only on Saturday nights). Everyone who shows up with a bike helmet gets two sundaes for the price of one at Culver’s, and a free Kids Meal with any adult purchase at the Corner Bakery. Plus, enter the Culver’s/Corner Bakery drawing for a chance to win one of three Fyxation Eastside bike that Culver’s/Corner Bakery are raffling off. Special guest appearance by Scoopy! Thursday, June 21st, 8pm-10pm. 

Muddy Washing Machine

Next Swims: M-F 6am and 6pm

Last Swim: Wednesday 6am
Water: 57F
Clarity: less than zero
Waves: 1-2 foot waves out of the northeast
Crew: Milkman, Showgirl, no sign of Diablo, but that doesn't mean he wasn't there
Skin/Suit:  1 / 2

I had to move the police barricade this morning, but was happy when Milkman rolled into the parking lot for his first Lake Michigan swim of 2018.

Today’s swim was a bit like swimming in a washing machine filled with muddy clothes.  The waves were bigger than yesterday and there was zero visibility.  On the bright side, the water was a tiny bit warmer, and MUCH warmer for me since I wore my wetsuit.  There continued to be blue water far out, and a big band of brownish water along shore.

We made our way to the birches. 

When we got to the top of the ramp, a man asked us if the cooler air made the swimming better.  Hahaha. No.

The Sum of its Parts

Next Swims: M-F 6am and 6pm

Last Swim: Tuesday 6am
Water: 53.5F
Clarity: zero
Waves: 1+ foot chop/rollers out of the north
Crew: Mike, Showgirl, no sign of Diablo, but that doesn't mean he wasn't there
Skin/Suit: 2/1

In the immortal words of Frank Sinatra, "Regrets, I've had a few..." This morning, I regretted taking my wetsuit out of my swim bag.

It was a hard sell getting out of bed today, but I did it.  When I arrived in the parking lot, there was one car, and I was super happy to see it was Mike's, and not some dog-walking retiree. (Not that we don't love the dogs and the retirees.)

We headed down the ramp to the beach. Mike casually inquired about the brown tinge along the shoreline. I assured him that it was merely stirred up sand, and not a band of sewage. (I did not tell him that I have no actual basis for that claim.)

I got out my thermometer and stood in the not-warm water.  Down it went. And further down. To 53.5F. I wanted Mike to chicken out so that I could, but no, he just kept putting on his wetsuit. Thus I ambivalently applied the immortal words of Super Hera: "If I came to the beach, I'm going to swim." So I put on my cap and goggles. I also blew up my Barbie and promptly left her on the beach.

Into the waves we went.  Mike zoomed past me. I slogged to the sewer pipe. Er... downspout.  And then returned to the beach. Chilly, but very happy I swam.

This swim was teetering on the complete violation of my personal rule of swimming-- that in order to swim, "There Must Be Some Goodness." Goodness is defined as flat water or warm water or warm air or... other goodness. I guess today the whole was greater than the sum of its parts.

Weekday Swims at 6AM & 6PM

Next Swims:  Monday thru Friday 6AM & 6PM

Last Swims:  Saturday & Sunday June 16th & 17th noon both days
Water Temp:  58 on Saturday 60 on Sunday
Waves:   One foot chop both days
Saturday Crew: Sir James, Kahuna, Capt’n, Wet Taco, Gumdog Moondrop, Itch, Drangonfly, El Jefe, City Mouse, Lamprey, Handyman Hank, Diablo, Patriarch
Sunday Crew: Scuba, Kahuna, Princess Anna, Mitch, Itch, Showgirl, Handyman Hank, Sir James, Mike, Diablo, Gumdog Moondrop, Panini, Eleanor, Patriarch
Also, some people swam early both Saturday and Sunday because of scheduling conflicts

Steve's Scenic South Swim

Next Swims:  any interest in 5:30 tonight?  Leave a comment.
                         Saturday and Sunday NOON

                         Extra Bonus Swim: Panini and I will swim at 9AM on Saturday

Last Swim: Friday 06/15, 6am
Water Temp: 57.9 
Clarity: crystal clear
Waves: flat as glass
Crew: Kahuna,  Showgirl, Scooby, Diablo passing in the parking lot
Skin/Suit: 2/2

It was another amazingly beautiful morning at the beach. Scooby declared that he was swimming south in order to see the sights.  And so we swam.  We went a few minutes past the picnic table, which is once again being buried in sand.

On the return swim, as I swam along the never-ending rock wall I was skeptical of Steve's claims of more interesting things to see to the south, even rumors of a cannon? 

The water has been on the cool side, but it's going to be a hot one this weekend.  See you at the beach.


p.s. Patriarch, where art thou?

Phlox U!

Next Swims: Fri 6am

Last Swim: Thursday 06/14, 6am
Water Temp: 56
Clarity: delightfully clear
Waves: flat as glass
Crew: Kahuna, Mr. A, Showgirl, & GumDog and Diablo working the early shift
Skin/Suit: 2/3?

Higher education regarding phlox is available in yesterday's post and comments (I for one still prefer wild phlox whenever I can get it).  

But I digress. 

The conversation on the beach today was interesting as usual, as Showgirl once again proves one must constantly be on guard, lest comments said on the beach end up in the blog.  And one must also be vigilant about walking off and leaving one's thong laying on the beach.    

It was a beautiful morning. The bright sun and blue skies greeted us as we stepped into the brisk, clear water, to enjoy a nice short journey to the birches and back.  Caribbean clarity of water enabled us to enjoy the light refracted and dancing beneath us on the clear sand as we floated along above.  

With warm temperatures and winds generally out of the East today and tomorrow, we may have some outstanding conditions over the next two days.  Or not.  

Noon swim on Saturday?  

Morning Swims are ON!

Next Swims: Thurs & Fri 6am

Last Swim: Wednesday 06/13, 6am
Water Temp: 59.6
Clarity: zero
Waves: flat as glass
Crew: Kahuna, Mitch, Scooby, Showgirl, Mike (first swim with the Kru!), and Diablo was working the early shift
Skin/Suit: 2.5/3

Kahuna said I should lie about the temperature so that more people would come to swim.  I said that if people came and experienced the real water temp thinking it should be warmer, they wouldn't come back. This is just another incident in a long line of Kahuna-Showgirl lakeside disputes. Please reference the False Phlox Brouhaha of 2016, where, as I recall, one of the parties ultimately conceded. And it wasn't me.

But I digress.

It was such a beautiful morning. The sun was already high above the horizon and the air was balmy and humid. The water was flat with occasional ruffles. We swam north.  Along the way we educated our newest swimmer, Mike from L.A., about the sewer pipe (Kahuna-Showgirl altercation #2 of the morning: he prefers "downspout") and then swam on to the birches.

Back in the parking lot, Kahuna and I came to our first agreement of the morning, and we declare that morning swims are ON for 2018.

Good Morning Sunshine

Next swim:  6 a.m., Wednesday, 06/13

The lifeguards have migrated back to Bradford Beach, so it is high time we start swimming in the mornings at Klode. 

The Wreck of the Shipwreck Swim

Next Swim: Noon Sunday 06/10

Last Swim: Saturday 11AM
Water Temp: 58 per Itch and the duck
Air temp: not much higher
Waves: biggish chop out of the northeast
Water Clarity: zero
Air Clarity: also cloudy
Crew: Magic Mike, Itch, Mitch, Ara, Showgirl, Moondawg/Iceman/Gumdrop, Mr. Anonymous
Shore Support: Squeeze o'Showgirl and special guest appearance by Dr. Dave and Not Dave's Wife

I am holding a tiny replica of the shipwreck, which mysteriously made it's way into my swimi bag last year.

The Men's Club chickens were turning on the barbie as we gathered at the top of the hill at Atwater Park.  We looked askance at the weather. The fog was rolling in so we wisely made a non-shipwreck swim plan. We scampered down the stairs and suited up, attached barbies (the other kind) and swam north into the chop.

The return trip was fast and fun as the waves pushed us back to the beach. It was really quite lovely.

When we arrived on shore we were happy to be greeted by Not-Dave's-Wife and... Dave.

Several of us made acrobatic clothing changes, enjoyed some Killepitsch*, and moved on to the next stage of the day's activities: the Shorewood Men's Club BBQ, brought to us again by our own beloved Kahuna. The bright side of the not-so-bright (or warm!) weather, is that we did not have to jockey for space on the beach with hordes of families, children, and suntanning teenagers, and there were plenty of picnic tables at the BBQ. The other bright side of our failed shipwreck swim is that we will do another one later in the summer.

I compromised my vegetarian lifestyle and enjoyed the chicken. During the meal Itch forced us to share our hopes and dreams with him, which felt meaningful knowing that he plans to live fast and die young. We planned his Viking funeral.

By the time we left the park, it was so foggy you could scarcely see the piers.

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*Killepitsch has been benevolently and continuously provided to the Kru by a tiny handful of it's members. Please consider making thea gift of a single bottle (or more!) to the "Keep the Killepitsch Flowing Fund"
http://www.shopwinedirect.com/killepitsch-german-herbal-liqueur-750ml.html?vfsku=Liqueur183&vfsku=Liqueur183&gpla=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4YX3gdXH2wIVjTqBCh06qgPzEAQYASABEgJdmfD_BwE

Weekend Swims?

Next Swim:  ???

Last Swim:  Thursday June 7th 6PM
Water Temp:  I measured 60 on shore but I think it was cooler than that away from shore, mid to high 50s maybe.
Waves: One foot, choppy
Water Clairity: OK not great
Crew: Itch, Linda, Kahuna, Patriarch

I had posted a shipwreck swim 11AM Saturday at Atwater beach, to be followed by the Shorewood Men’s Club BBQ.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it, but it sounds like others will be there, if you are going I suggest leaving a comment so that others know.

I’m not sure about Sunday either, please comment if you have a time preference.

The forecast this weekend is not ideal.  Onshore winds mean warmer but choppier water.  And there is a possibility of some rain.  

Shipwreck Swim Saturday

Next Swim: Monday 6PM

Last Swim: Sunday June 3rd noon
Water Temp:  Capt’n, Itch and I all got different readings on our thermometers ranging from 55 to 60.  That’s reflective of the warmer and colder pockets we experienced as we swam through.
Waves:  None
Water Clairity: Zero, but it was bluer - less yucky brown than yesterday.
Crew:  Gumdawg, Sir James, Mr. Anonymous, Capt’n, Diablo, Kahuna, Handyman Hank, Panini, Itch, Drangonfly, Patriarch

Next Saturday June 9th is the Shorewood Men’s Club Barb-B-Q at Atwater Park.  As in past years we’ll do a shipwreck swim (conditions permitting) around 11AM and then head up the bluff for delicious chicken and/or rib dinners.  Discounted dinner tickets will be available.  More details to come.

What Type of Swimmer are ya?

Next Swim:  Sunday June 3rd @ Noon
Last Swim: Saturday June 2nd @ 1pm
   Water Temp:  54.7
    Scottish Water Temp:  "Aye, Alright..."  Click Here for Scottish Water Temp Guide
    Waves:  light chop
    Clarity: murky
    Crew: Kahuna, Itch, Panini, Ziggy, WildFlower, Capt'n with Special Guest Spectator The Patriarch

Watching my fellow Kru mates enter the water for these early season swims reminds me of one of me favorite videos..."what type of swimmer are ya?"

If you're curious about swimming and hypothermia here's a fascinating video from Dr. Popsicle (...compliments of Kahuna…):  Cold Water Survival

Late Breaking News....Saturday June 2nd Swim Time is 1pm

Next Swim:  Saturday June 2nd @ 1pm

....Sunday's swim time will be determined at Saturday's swim.   Please comment if you have a preference for Sunday's swim time....