Polar Bear Plunge

Date: January 1, 2021

Location: Klode Beach

Swim Time: Noon

Bring  in the new year, and bid good riddance to 2020, as we polar bear plunge into the thrilling chilling waters of Klode Bay. Gather up for feats of strength, and  resolutions for the new year. Bring your favorite warm beverage\elixir of choice and warm mittens\socks.

Proclaim and plunge your grievances of 2020 to the rocks and back, if you dare, and repeat till victory is delared! So what  say ye, Arrr ya' in? See ya' therrrr if ya darrrr! :)

Icy rocks and sumptuous brownies

 Last swim:12-27-20

Next swim: 1-1-21 (12 noon), Happy New Year (and good riddance 2020)!!!

Water temp:35

Waves: about 3 feet with some significant rip tide

Air temp:40

Crew:Itch, Diablo, Brick, Rosie, Phil

Shore Support: Panini, Dragonfly Riffraff, Moondaug

Slippery when frozen, so careful getting in, and out. Five swimmers ventured into the lake and swam for about 40 minutes, with one sensible 10 minute swim. As they swam out from the usual south launch, rip-tide was experienced by some. Diablo's strategy was to wait for the third wave (the big one) and dive under and through. Others chose to swim through the rock piles and past the iced over rocks. Brrr.

As the swimmers were swimming, shore support enjoyed pleasant conversation and home made brownies, courtesy of Dragonfly Riffraff. I was lucky enough to score a brownie, that was originally intended for Showgirl. I pocketed it, to enjoy later, with some whipped cream.

The Airing of the Grievances

Last swim: 3 PM 12/23/20 

Air temp:57 

Water temp:30's 

Crew-Itch, maybe others earlier.

Next swims: Not sure, but some have posted, but there will of course be a New Years Day Plunge (Stay tuned).

The warm December weather made it a good day to go to the beach, so I headed there after work, hoping to find others with the same idea. Alas, not so many did I find, perhaps because of the short days now. 

Today is Festivus day, which got me thinking, so, let The Airing of the Grievance commence! 

Capt-Wont swim a straight line, and doesn't wear an eye patch. 

Diablo-Won't introduce me to his sister. 

Mr. Anonymous-is a quick leaver. 

Showgirl -Doesn't invite me to after swim coffee and her bling is rather more scarce these days. 

Itch-doesn't post swim reports. 

Kahuna-fails to address blatantly flagrant abuses to the high watermark access for free peoples, and wears a boring kilt. 

Tarzana-wont let me drink my beer. 

Bigshow-Where!?!??!!?

Sir James-Doesn't share cool underwater demolition toys, and wears obscenely colored speedos. 

Patriarch-is to kind to complain about.

Handy Man Hank-Still has not made portable beach sauna. 

Perhaps now is a good time to start ruminating about New Year resolutions as you prepare for the New Years Plunge.   

Before, during, and after

Next Swims: Saturday/Sunday at Noon, with random weekday swims

Friday:  6:30 a.m. usually

Last Swim: Wednesday 6:30am

Water Temp: mid 30's
Air Temp: 40's
Clarity: murky
Waves: like GLASS!

Kru: Lydia the Tatooed Lady, Showgirl, Dragonfly, Wim Hofers

Shore Support: Mr. Bubble

Before.  Photo Credit TTL

TattooLady is a consistent badass.  Here she is, swimming in 30-something water.... again.  

Yawn.

Dragonfly is a frequent strip'n'dip badass.  

Ho hum.  

I, on the other hand, am an intermittent badass.  I was kind of thinking that my swimming was over for the season, but in a surprise turn of events, today I had swimming mojo.  TTL and I made it to the sewerpipe and I think she went even further.  We both did some additional not-ready-to-get-out paddling around the rock piles.  

In the mean time, Dragonfly did a skin swim, which she later described as feeling like little knives stabbing her.  

Also the Wim Hofers did their Wim-Hoffer-y stuff.  It's kind of fun to observe them from a vantage point outside the rock piles.  

The incredibly flat water and the sunrise made it a spectacular swim.  

The still air and 40-something temp made changing not so terrible.  

The hot-snaps did their share for each of us as well.

Mr. Bubble put in a surprise guest appearance and put his bare feet in the water, confirming that indeed, it is cold.

During. Photo credit, Mr. Bubble

After. 

If it quacks like a duck...

Next Swims: Saturday/Sunday at Noon, with random weekday swims

Friday:  6:30 a.m. usually

Last Swim: Sunday noon

Water Temp: 37.3
Air Temp: 40ish
Clarity: murky
Waves: slow rollers

Kru: Lydia the Tatooed Lady, Itch, Rosie, Brick, Blake, Diablo, Icedaug (skin!), Showgirl... sort of

I don't have much to say about Sunday's swim because it wasn't much of a swim for me-- I may have hit my cold water boundary.  I got in, paddled around a bit within the rockpiles, and returned to shore.  

Everyone else headed north, and did real swims.

As you see from the photo, it was a typical December day.  That's right, swimming in December.  So big kudos and huzzah's to all amazing badasses who went for an actual swim.

Icedaug enters the near-freezing water.

Oh yeah, per Kahuna, the mystery objects in the lake on Friday must have been duck hunters.

Endless Summer?

Next Swims: Saturday/Sunday at Noon, with random weekday swims

Friday:  6:30 a.m.

Last Swim: Friday 7am

Water Temp: 38? 39? THAT'S RIGHT, we're in the 30's now.  TTL took the temp but I forgot the exact number
Air Temp: 35
Clarity: ?? It looked clear from shore
Waves: like glass

Kru: Lydia the Tatooed Lady, AlaMode, Dragonfly (strip 'n' dip), Wim Hofers

Shore Support:  Linda the Lamprey, Showgirl, Mermaid Princess

All Hail the TattooLady!

Yep, it's December FOURTH and we're still swimming.  And by "we" I don't mean "me," at least not today.  

TattooLady and AlaMode did a leisurely paddle around the rockpile, and then TTL did more swimming north. So impressive.  

Meanwhile, Dragonfly did a strip 'n' dip.

While TTL was out past the north rockpile, a small boat went speeding past Klode.  She said she saw a fish leap out of the water, so perhaps there's some good fishing to be done?  There were also some mysterious things out there that were too far to identify.  Kayakers (that didn't go anywhere) or a pair of really big birds, plus a flock of smaller birds?  A mystery, to be sure.

AlaMode impressed us with pushups and core work that she did to warm up post-swim, and TTL's post swim accomplishment was to prevent her gear from freezing to the metal wall.

There was also evidence on the beach of some really big waves.  Plus a dead frog carcass.

TTL with the boat in the background.

Other beautiful pics from the morning:

TTL's triumphant return.

Dragonfly goes in for the strip 'n' dip

Here's a tiny video that I accidentally took:

One Crazy Lady

 Next Swims: Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Friday:  6:30 a.m.

Last Swim: Wednesday at sunrise

Water Temp: low 40s - TTL estimate
Air Temp: 28 degrees Allen Bradley thermometer
Clarity: ??
Waves: Big ones

Kru: Lydia the Tatooed Lady

Shore Support:  Linda the Lamprey, Showgirl on bicycle, Dragonfly, Wim Hofers (they did immerse too)

Gorgeous nearly-full moon floating among the trees to the west. Very brisk breeze, churning dark waves, intimidating, yes.  But one major badass suited up in neoprene and boldly ventured forth.  TTL did sensibly stay in sight of shore between the rocks, but was clearly enjoying bobbing in the sizeable waves.  She looked a lot more comfortable than did the Wim Hofers.  I got a great photo of her emerging, silhouetted against the sunrise.

First photo is Linda The Lamprey on the left and TTL on right.  Third photo shows Wim Hofers in the foreground and TTL and her pink barbie near the rocks.

I asked TTL whether any of her friends who swam with her back in August might be coming down in the near future.  "No," she said, "we just have one crazy lady!"

When TTL shared that she was frozen to the iron barrier, I knew I had to blog.  She reported her barbie and her wetsuit also froze during the changing process.

Last photo, courtesy of TTL

Lake Michigan. Unsalted. Sharkfree.

Next Swims: Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Possible random a.m. swims:  M-F 6:30 a.m.

I thought I heard the afternoon swims are no longer on because of the early sunset times?  Please comment and I will adjust.

Last Swim: Sunday at Noon
Water Temp: 43 per Itch-o-meter
Air Temp: 46 degrees, west wind at 9 mph
Clarity: Very nice - 8-9
Waves: Pretty flat

Kru: Itch, Rosie, Diablo, IceDaug, Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Sunny Luna Laguna, Dragonfly

Shore Support:  Showgirl, Squeeze o'Showgirl

I totally stole that headline off a bumper sticker.

Sunday was everything you could want in a late Fall swim: good company, toasts and brilliant sunshine smiling over all.

The sun was forecast to disappear by noon but stayed throughout the swim and all-important post-swim.  We geared up, chit chatting with Showgirl & Squeeze: hot topic, Retirement:  At What Age To?  In head-to-toe neoprene with double foot layer, TTL and I were first in.  I felt like a kid bundled up to play in the snow with arms sticking straight out, but felt, blissfully, nothing for a few moments until  water started working down my back and it was time to swim.  I dove, catching that last instant of face over lake bottom, then stroked rapidly to the rocks.  Hmm, not too bad. Only my face was exposed and it was adapting.  Though I had to consciously keep my mouth shut when face down to keep the cold out.  In warmer temps, I grimace - somehow exposing the teeth helps forward progress.

Sun sparkled everywhere as we headed north, past the garage and kayak.  I saw the Rockwall ahead and went for it, thinking, I hope I don't reqret this! as lately I have found the returns more challenging than the heading out. But felt way more energy than I had last week at this same spot.  It was a good long swim and the others went further than me.  Luna to New Mudslide and others to Red Canoe (beyond Mudslide). 

"Beautiful!" Luna announced.  "I didn't want it to end!"  

But then.  Battle against Afterdrop, race against Hypothermia and "a desperate struggle" as Robert Falcon Scott said about returning from the South Pole.  

"I always feel like I'm taking my wetsuit off for the first time," Luna commented.

"Yeah - it's like I've never done it before," I agreed.

As Luna, TTL and I were almost dry and re-garbbed, Icedaug showed up for a quick headless skin dip.  Afterwards he declared, no Afterdrop!  He had a thermos of hot spiced hard cider laced with nutmeg, cinnamon and brandy which he shared out generously. Delicious!

TTL suggested a Monday a.m. swim.  I am sorry to report that this idea was met with groans and even laughter when I said, "That's a lot to ask." Harsh!

Diablo, Itch and Rosie came in.  It was announced that Rosie is turning 21 on December 7!  On a celebratory note, Itch kept singing the melody from "Do the Hustle" a disco tune for those readers under 40.

A toast to  Best Swim of the Season.  Then the hike up to the parking lot on wooden block feet but with a satisfied heart.

Klode Wild Turkeys Rampage

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm
Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Thanksgiving Day at Noon
Water Temp: 43 officially
Air Temp: upper 40s with full sun and nary a cloud in the sky
Clarity: nice - maybe 6-7/10
Waves: flat, some tiny wind ripples on the way back
Presumptive Early Shift:  Mr. Anonymous

Kru: Itch, Brick, Rosie, Mr. Bubble, Blake, Diablo, IceDaug, Showgirl, We'Taco, 

Special Guest Star:  alumni Kate from a few years ago, now living in Chicago
Shore Support:  Patriarch, Synchro, Handyman Hank, Squeeze of Showgirl, Jimmy (We'Taco's other half), Kate's family, 

Yes, there was a flock of wild turkeys on the rampage at Klode today, at Noon, but I didn't get any pictures of us, so substituting this photo of a true life turkey rampage that took place in NJ in 2007

People Aged 55+ at Greater Risk of Turkey Aggression

Another fantastic day at the beach with great turnout!  Got to meet Kate (hope that's the right spelling🤔) and her family.  Kate has been keeping up the tradition down in Chicago, as recently as a few days ago.  Chicago usually a few degrees warmer - it was 48 earlier in the week.  Oh, and btw - Kate doesn't use a wetsuit, so she keeps her swims brief.  But she never looked cold to me...she hung out with us while we're all waiting for Itch, Brick and Rosie to come in.  

We arrive at the beach and Blake calls out that he's discovered an artifact of a lost civilization - the word "Mr. Anonymous" is inscribed somewhere.  

Brian is IceDaug today because he brought the ice chest full of warm water.  I tried it - it was great!  My feet had warmed up a little already - the Daug thought it was too warm,  

Big news item from today - by pure serendipity, Brick has discovered how you can have a totally safe triathlon during a pandemic!  What Brick learned today is that it's totally possible to do a ~2,000 yard swim while wearing a mask.  You see?  Triathlon organizers can now assure an event venue that it can require all participants to wear a mask at all times, no exceptions.  

Killepitsch toast today - Happy Thanksgiving!!

Three Bad Mujeres and a headless dip

Next Swims: THANKSGIVING - NOON  - and maybe an earlier contingent

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Random a.m. swims - comment if you'd like to join!

Last Swim: Wednesday 6:30 a.m.
Water Temp: 42
Air Temp: 48
Clarity: None where I was
Waves: Calm at first, then SE chop just when people were swimming, faded out as they returned
Kru: Showgirl, Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Sunny Luna Laguna-tic, Dragonfly
Missing:  Wim Hofers

Drove over the Hoan Bridge into total dark gray-ness with the top of the U.S. Bank building shrouded in mystery.  Northwestern Mutual did not even make an appearance until the curve in the bridge.  Drizzle in Bay View but none in Klode, boded well for leaving stuff on the beach.

Those planning longer swims - Showgirl, TTL and Luna - arrived on the beach in their wetsuits.  I caught this photo of them heading out:

Shortly after they launched, the SE chop kicked up.  I was thinking to time my planned strip-n-dip as people were coming back, but they seemed to be gone a loooooong time.   I huddled inside my jacket trying to dodge a persistant little SW breeze.  Finally I figured, go for it before I get any colder.  It was a "headless" dip - I tucked my hair into a cap but purposely did not put my face in or head under.  I'm considering the efficacy of this tradeoff - no wet hair but one definitely generates more heat with freestyle.

The water  took my breath away as I breast-stroked out to the rocks.  I was thinking 100 yards but that fantasy quickly shrank to "getting back to shore" which suddenly seemed quite far and like I was not making any progress. 

TTL and Sunny Luna had the same experience on a grander scale.  "I thought it would be better coming back, but it wasn't" TTL said.

"The factors just kept piling up," said Sunny.  "The cold, the waves, the fog - "

Sunny went to the Rock Wall.  Showgirl and TTL also did long swims (VERY long for conditions!) Three Bad Mujeres.

Drying off I could not feel the skin on my arms and legs - literally frozen.  Showgirl looped around the southerly rocks impressively, but was shivering as she came up the beach.  She could not find her goggles and gave them up for lost, but when she got home they magicallly reappeared amongst her gear.

She also noted she hung up her wetsuit outside to dry, then it rained.  That's what happens when you put too much work into something.

Heading up, we commented on the absence of the Wim Hofers...then speculated that they probably did the same about us on those RARE days when we don't show...

What time on Thanksgiving Day? 11 am?

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Saturday Noon
Water Temp: 45
Air Temp: 40
Clarity: pretty nice - maybe 5/10
Waves: gentle 1 footers with occasional 2 footer
Kru: Itch, Brick, Rosie, Dragonfly, Mr. Anonymous, Mr. Bubble, Sunatic (aka Lunatic and Sunny), Ala, Rachel (first time in 2 months
Shore Support: The Other Dave, Sandy 

So, first things first...several people, including myself, were asking "When are we swimming on Thanksgiving Day?"  I was a proponent of Noon, thinking that was when the sun would be highest in the sky.  Sunny claims that since the clocks were turned back, 11 am is the high time. Itch suggested 10 am, trying to be considerate of when the thanksgiving cooks might have a break in their cooking schedule.  So, please comment on whether you think 11 am is the best bet or would rather see another time.  

Now, getting back to today.  It was a sunny day, not a cloud in the sky.  So, of course, a whole bunch of Kru-nicks wanted to go to the beach, and we were glad we did.  Something about that bright sun - it makes you feel warm!  As I was swimming, I kept thinking I could feel the sun warm up the surface water.  When I came back and was swimming between the rocks, the sun was shining directly in my face, and it felt warmer every time I came up for air.  This was probably a hallucination, right?  But then again, when I got out of the water and was bare chested, I felt like I was basking in the sun, getting a tan!  Mr. A must have similar feelings - he went in with his lava pants, gloves and silicon cap.  He was first in and swam while the rest of us were putting on our gear.  He was back just as we were setting off.  

Two-fer

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm, and random morning swims

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swims: Friday 6:30am and Thursday 3:30pm

Thursday 3:30
Water Temp: low 44

Air Temp: balmy 50's
Clarity: cloudy
Waves: slow rollers out of the south

Kru: LunaLaguna, TattooLady, Showgirl, Itch, Brick

Shore Support: Synchro, BabyLaguna

Friday 6:30AM
Water Temp: low 40's... (we forgot to take it)

Air Temp: balmy low 50's
Clarity: cloudy
Waves: flat!

Kru: LunaLaguna, TattooLady, Showgirl, Dragonfly

Shore Support: Linda the Lamprey

The Thursday swim was a rare PM swim for me, and it was pretty great.  The water is still cold (surprise!) but the warm air was a gift.  

Everyone made it to Love Rock, and Itch, Brick,  and Luna went even further.  Speaking of Love Rock, the horrible smell that lurked around the south sewerpipe was ridiculously strong at Love Rock last night.

Back at the beach, though changing still required some speed, it did not feel like a race to avoid death by hypothermia.

Post swim, Synchro pointed out the bats frolicking in the sky, and Brick served more pickled goodness-- carrots this time.  Killepitsch was enjoyed by all.

Photo Credit: TattooLady

Which brings us to the exceptional Friday morning swim.  The air continued to be warm and the water flat.

We swam north to the birches, and LunaLaguna went to the rock wall.

The sunrise was spectacular, and the company was superb.  We were all so grateful for the warm air and the epic nature of  mid-November swims.

Not just another ordinary day at the beach, courtesy of Linda the Lamprey.

RIP Tattoo Lady's Barbie.

Our tax dollars at work....... and at play

I have no new swims to report, but I do have this news item to share, thanks to Northshore Nancy:

Here is the text of the article, and after that is the FB link:

"North Klode Park Beach - Status Update: On Monday, the Village Board approved a $180,038.10 grant for the restoration and mitigation of the Klode Park Shoreline. The grant includes a 75.00% Federal cost share ($135,028.58), a 12.5% State of Wisconsin cost share ($22,504.76), and a 12.5% local Whitefish Bay match ($22,504.76).

The project consists of sandy gravel/cobblestone for beach replenishment, funds to repair a broken support bracket on the storm sewer outlet pipe, and a revetment of geotextile and rip-rap to armor the shoreline against similar future damage.

What's Happening Now: Village Staff and shoreline restoration consultant SmithGroup will continue to work with FEMA over the winter to design and bid the project. Construction timeframe is currently TBD.

Background: As a result of a severe winter wind storm that took place in early January, 2020, the Klode Beach shoreline encountered substantial erosion (damage pictured). This storm was so severe that the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management coordinated with local municipalities and was successful in obtaining a FEMA emergency disaster declaration."

Here's the FB link:

https://www.facebook.com/whitefishbay/posts/3738673069477297

A day late and........

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm, and random morning swims

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Monday 7am, and probably 3:30
Water Temp: low 41

Air Temp: low 30's and breezy
Clarity: cloudy
Waves: flat

Kru: LunaLaguna, TattooLady, Showgirl, AlaMode

Shore Support: Blake

Posting a day late because I'm so busy.......?

Yep, the four of us swam yesterday morning at 7:00.  It was another "too cold for pics" kind of day.

It was touch and go for me but in the end, I put all my stuff on at home, and headed to the beach.

The sun was way above the horizon, and it was mostly cloudy as we headed out.  LunaLaguna went to the rock wall with TattooLady, I went to the birches, and AlaMode was in there somewhere.

As always, the post-swim specter of keeping our hands warm enough to get out of neoprene and into clothes was ever present.

I was inside my changing poncho struggling into a top when Blake arrived to say hello.

A while ago, LunaLaguna had mentioned that Laguna would come home from surfing still wearing his wetsuit.  That was floating around in my head ever since.  Yesterday I brought two bags, and put then over my wet booties, put on my shoes, and went home with my wetsuit half on.  Though I missed out on some of the post-swim camaraderie, my feet were not blocks of ice. A trade-off.

So... getting out of the water and just heading for my car may be my new technique.

These re-usable hand warmers might also come into play:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CV2YXE?pf_rd_r=ZZ37N29ASSY995JB70JA&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee

The Wind Changes Again

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm, and random morning swims

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Saturday 8AM, and undoubtedly, there was also a noon swim.
Water Temp: low 40's-- didn't take a reading

Air Temp: low 30's and windy
Clarity: excellent, but stirring up
Waves: out of the south and building

Kru: Dragonfly, Showgirl, Mr. Anonymous

In a surprise turn of events, Dragonfly and I rendezvous'd at Klode at 8am this morning.  In an even bigger surprise, Mr. Anonymous also showed up.

Very, very impressively, Mr. A swam in just lava pants + boots + gloves.

Dragonfly and I arrived pre-dressed in full neoprene.  The beach was sunny and beautiful, but with a stiff wind, once again from the south.

That south wind provided a huge push, and it felt like we were coasting all the way to the garage.  The return trip was a comical contrast as we worked hard to get back to Klode.

Mr. A was fully dressed and departed soon after we returned.  I flailed around, and finally ended up dressed, gleefully with mostly warm feet.

The effort to get ready, swim, and recombobulate was too great to document with photos, so I'll leave you with these scenes from my part time job:

Advice for Friday the 13th (that we chose to disregard)

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Friday 6:30am
Water Temp: 41

Air Temp: 31
Clarity: great from shore
Waves: chop out of the north
Kru: TattooLady, Dragonfly, AlaMode, LagunaLunatic

Shore Support: Showgirl, and the Wim Hof-ers

Or do.  What evs.

The lovely south wind that gave us a week of amazing November swims was replaced by a cruel wind out of the north.  

We first went to the normal Kru beach location, felt the wind, and then quickly relocated to huddle next to the metal wall on the north end.

Yes, it's blurry.  Sue me.

Four hardy badasses went into the 41 degree water this morning, and Dragonfly did a SKIN plunge.

TL, LL, and AM swam north into the chop, and it looked like they were probably past the garage.  They all said that they were mostly comfortable in the water, but that it's the transition in the freezing air that's brutal.

As I gazed over the wall at the swimmers I told Ara that there was FROZEN WATER on top of the metal wall.  She said, "you mean ice?"  Yes, ice.   Ice.

The Ice Women return.

Post swim they all agreed how crazy the swimming was, but also agreed that they plan to do it again.

Edmund Fitzgerald, 1975

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm, and maybe Wednesday at 6:30AM

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Tuesday 3:30 pm
Water Temp: 49.8 per mitch-o-meter
Air Temp: 65
Clarity: OK, not dirty but not clear
Waves: mostly steady 2 - 3 footers, 
Kru: Itch, The Other Dave, Mr. Bubble

Another mild, summer like day, although not quite as warm as yesterday.  Light turnout - just the three of us.  

Just as we were about to descend to the beach, The Other Dave pointed out that November 10th was the 45th anniversary of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - the Ed Fitz disaster.  Many of you may know that Gordon Lightfoot wrote a song about this in 1976 - I'll post it below.  

So, of course there was some discussion about how the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was relevant to today, November 10, 2020.  Turns out, there is a continuity...a wrinkle in time.  For in no time flat, what had been a nice pleasant day with some occasional strong winds turned into a raging thunderstorm.  Picture above was taken right at 3:30, as we were walking down.  No sign of a big storm in sight.  

Before I headed to Klode tonight, Mrs. Bubble made mention of the fact that there was a tornado watch effective at 4:00 today, so she advised that we keep our eyes open to an approaching storm.  Fortunately, no sign of approaching storm while we were in the water, just some partial cloudy skies over the lake.  But no sooner had we started walking towards the path up to the parking lot, we saw a bright flash.  Then again.  Seemed to be just going cloud to cloud, didn't actually see any lightning bolts, until we got up to the parking lot.  Then another, and another.  It started drizzling a little bit as we got into our cars, and then BOOM, right at 5:00, the sky opened up and the deluge struck.

So, the good news is that the deluge struck after we were in our cars and not before we had returned to the beach.  It all came up so suddenly - 10 minutes tops.  

Killepitsch toast tonight...to the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald!

That Golden Glow

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm, and maybe Wednesday at 6:30AM

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Tuesday 6:30am
Water Temp: 47.something (we'll take it)

Air Temp: 70
Clarity: good
Waves: a little swell
Kru: Showgirl, Panini, Ala Mode, Mr. Anonymous, Dragonfly

Shore Support: 5 Wim Hof-ers (three men, two women)

:

Even without leaves - or leaves mostly on the ground - the Klode hillside is stunning.

A few steps later, a half-inch of sunrise greeted us:

Mr. Anonymous was on the early shift in only his trademark lava pants and gloves.  He emerged just as I was going in and asked for the temp. 

 "47" I answered.  

"It felt warmer," he said.

It did feel mysteriously warmer - less pain in my hands, maybe I am just getting acclimatized.  The air above the surface definitely felt warmer, as I surprised myself by swimming past kayak and turning at one of the numerous birches.  It was noticeable on shore as I worked on the process of not becoming a sand-sicle. 

You have to take off your wetsuit and socks, then return to your towel to dry your feet before putting your pants on.  Ideally you would then return to the water and rinse your feet again and your swimming suit.

I gave the suit a business-like shake and for my feet deployed my secret weapon....a thermos of hot water!  Both my feet and also, on really cold air temperature days, my hands are always excited to receive the hot water.  I rinse off my feet, dry them and apply wool socks.  Yes!

Ala proclaimed it was her best cold water swim ever.

Making my trips back and forth to the water's edge I kept stepping over a driftwood sculpture inspired by Chihuly the glass blower.  I should have taken a photo but I just. didn't.  I mused on this later and concluded that as important as this blog is to me, it isn't everything...

I know, you're shocked.

There are somethings that you just have to come to the beach and see for yourself.

Afterward, Ala captured this shot of the sun moving higher:

And I caught this one, looking the opposite direction toward a dramatic dark northern sky:

It looks way more dramatic on my phone.

I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

Panini's Planning to Punch Out

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm, and maybe Tuesday at 6:30AM
Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Monday 3:30 pm
Water Temp:🎆50🎆
Air Temp: 70
Clarity: OK, not dirty but not clear
Waves: mostly steady 2 footers, with intermittent 1 footers and 3 footers
Kru: Itch, Brick, Rosie, Sunatic (aka Lunatic and Sunny), Panini
Shore Support: Vivian

Parking Lot Support:  Mr. Anonymous and Olive

Nice turnout for a late afternoon weekday swim in November!  Mr. A and Olive were checking out the view from the bluff when I arrived.  He says that he came by himself at 12:30, when there was a cloudless blue sky.  He reports he went in with his lava pants and swam for 7 about minutes.  

Itch did his thing with the itch-o-meter and communicated the findings in his proprietary numbering scheme - Sunny calls out "Was that a 5?".  Sure enough - number 5 in the tens place, followed by zero in the units place.  After going in skin, Sunny disputed the reading and claimed it couldn't have been more then 48.  I let the reading stand without independent, empirical verification - it was warm!  

Panini arrived a few minutes behind the rest of us, and there was great cheering to see her.  She hadn't been to Klode for about 3 weeks.  However, she came to share the news that she will finally be moving out east for her new job in mid-January.  She came to Klode today thinking it may be her last opportunity to swim before the move.  

So, by Panini's account, she spent about 20 minutes or so getting in to her wetsuit, checking out the water, having second thoughts about whether to swim, checking it again and finally taking the plunge.  However, 2 minutes 18 seconds later, she decided it was too cold.  She then spent the next 45 minutes on the shore, chatting with Senorita Sunita and waiting for Itch, Brick and Rosie to return so she could potentially share her last shot of Killepitsch.  I kept denying that this would be the last time "You could come back on Thanksgiving?", "What about the Klode Polar Plunge?",  

So, in addition to the unseasonably warm water, the unseasonably warm air was delightful.  Forgotten what a warm breeze feels like - sirocco!  

,

November Magic Continues

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm, and maybe Tuesday at 6:30AM

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Monday 6:30am
Water Temp: 46

Air Temp: 70
Clarity: good
Waves: chop out of the south
Kru: TattooLady, Dragonfly, Showgirl, Ala

Shore Support: Linda the Lamprey, and the Wim Hof-ers

I could see the red eastern sky as I left my house, and the beach did not disappoint.  This incredible sunrise greeted us:

Photo credit: TattooLady

I was feeling not totally fired up about swimming this morning, though the conditions were pretty good.  There was still chop out of the south, but less than yesterday.

Dragonfly cast her vote for swimming north.  Normally, we swim into the waves, so that the return trip is easier.  But when the cold water is giving you the cold shoulder, maybe it's best to start with the waves pushing you along.

We all made it past sewerpipe.  I was birches-adjacent, and TattooLady went farther.  Even as the return trip was a bit of a washing machine, it was fun, and I was super grateful that I made the effort to suit up and swim.

Post-swim beauty.

Post-swim beauties.

Oh yeah, this is a boot dryer, though it also has an optional GLOVE attachment:

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/peet-dryer-advantage-shoe-dryer

I'm definitely feeling like drying my swimming gear is a part-time job:

Open Water Swimmers Anonymous, plus other top secret stuff

Next Swims: Mon - Fri 3:30pm, and Monday at 6:30AM

Saturday/Sunday at Noon

Last Swim: Sunday Noon

Water Temp: 45? 47?
Air Temp: 60's? with sun later
Clarity: excellent
Waves: choppity-chop out of the south
Kru: TattooLady, Dragonfly, Showgirl, Dave, Blake, Itch, Diablo, Brick, Moondog, Luna Laguna, Laguna Mike, Forger

Shore Support: Spawn o' Lagunas, Synchro

It's hard to convey how miraculous this last week has been, and I don't just mean politically.  Swimmers new to the Kru often ask, "how far into the fall does the Kru swim?"  When it's early September, and the days are just a tiny bit cooler, and the shadows are just a tiny bit longer, we always vow to swim thru October.  Then the temperature drops, and the weather turns, and swimmers head to the pool in droves.

There were plenty of random whitecaps out on those waves.

But we all know... there's nothing normal about this year.

So here we are, in the second week of November, still swimming.  Granted, we're at the tail end of a weather miracle, and nothing lasts forever, but yesterday and today's swims were so awesome.

Today was not *quite* as balmy and amazing. It was mostly cloudy when we arrived on the beach, but midway through the swim, the sun came out.  

Mr. and Mrs. Laguna renewed their badass cards by swimming skin.  The rest of us donned the neoprene with varying  degrees of enthusiasm.  On an enthusiasm scale of 0-10, I was at about a 1.  We again swam south into annoying chop.

The usual long swimmers swam long.  The rest of us swam varying distances, with the chop serving surprise gulps of icewater.

There was lots of post-swim lingering and chit-chat, plus discussion of top secret Kru business like how nicknames get dispensed.  Synchro said what we all are thinking-- she's not ready to relinquish the camaraderie and magic of the beach.

Oh yeah-- speaking of top secret, Linda the Lamprey may or may not be the founding member of a new 12-step group: Open Water Swimmers Anonymous.  OWSA.

Other trade secrets:  how one swimmer dries her booties and gloves: