Mr. Fabulous

Next Swims:
     Mon-Fri 6AM and 5PM
     Saturday/Sunday 8AM and Noon

Last Swim:  Friday 5PM
Water Temp: 70+
Air Temp:  75ish
Clarity:   Some, away from the rocks
Waves:  Still pretty wavy

Kru: Linda The Lamprey, Brik, Itch, Captain, Mr. Anonymous, Mike (Shrek)

Morning swims are terrific, but I was overdue for a shot of Killepitsch so I headed to Klode for a double dip, my 2nd swim of the day. It was just as much a washing machine as this morning.  I was first out of the water and while I waited for the others, a Mystery man in a yellow swim cap waded in and swam out to the North.  Linda came back, then Mr. Anonymous, then Captain, Brik and Itch all at the same time.  Brik had encountered the Mystery Man, and noted he had a yellow cap just like Itch's.  In fact, this individual claimed his name was Itch.  "And, he asked if Gabe was around." 

Oh no, there couldn't be two Itches, we protested.  

"Oh yes there could!" Brik insisted. He was fixated on the idea that there was another group of swimmers on the other side of the Lake, where every person has a Bizarro-world alter ego. 

"And they have El Capitaine, and Scratch--"

" 'Butterfly'" I pointed to myself.  "

"And Mr. Fabulous!"  Brik concluded.  Mr. A grimaced.

At this point the Mystery Man in Yellow Cap got out of the water and came over to our group.  His name was Mike, he said, but he would go by 'Shrek.'

According to Wikipedia, Bizarro World was a 1960s comic concept, a cube-shaped, fictional planet also known as Htrae (Earth spelled backwards), home to Bizarro and companions.  Not to draw any inferences here, but I am looking forward to my next swim in Nagihcim   And my next shot of Hcstip.

Wave Height is Trough to Crest (and read to the bottom of the blog)

Next Swims:
     Mon-Fri 6AM and 5PM
     Saturday/Sunday 8AM and Noon

Last Swim:  Friday 6AM
Water Temp: 67ish
Air Temp:  70ish
Clarity:   Zero, with lots of debris
Waves:  Very wavy, 2-4ft...

Kru: Showgirl, Dragonfly, Magic Mike, Brett (welcome!)

Shore Support:  Panini

We were joined on the beach by Chewbacca and this... Octopoop.  The pink golf ball is sitting on a checkers piece.  Who plays checkers at the beach? And what toy manufacturer puts tentacles on Poop??

TGIF.

As predicted, there were big waves this morning.  The number of swimmers on the beach was inversely proportional to the size of the waves. (Impressed by those fancy math terms?)

On the bright side, the water and the air were warm.

We blew up our barbies and headed into the surf.  "Sewer pipe,"  I told myself, and was pleased to make it to the garage.  Everyone else went a bit further.

It was one of those days where the sun shone thru the murky water, and then the next wave would cast a shadow, warning you of its impending arrival.  As you swam, the shore would seem as if it were downhill from you, and alternately appear and disappear depending on whether you were on the crest or the trough of the wave.

Speaking of which, we were wondering on how wave height is calculated.  Our guess was wrong. Turns out it's trough to crest:

Back on shore, Magic Mike and I agreed that we shared low-level anxiety during the swim related to the new assortment of logs and fence posts on the beach.  As in... if all that stuff had washed up on the beach, how much of it was still floating around in the waves?  But, as usual, all's well that end's well at Klode.

You've read this far.  Excellent.  I believe Cap'n was obliquely stating this, but I'll state it directly:  If you are a regular (or even occasional) consumer of shots of Killepitsch, that stuff does NOT, in fact, grow on trees, and is $25-30/bottle.  The lovely people who generously and faithfully supply it, will tell you that they don't want any money.  IGNORE that, and slip some cash ($20? $40?) in their swim bags.

We ARE Believers

Next Swims:
     Mon-Fri 6AM and 5PM
     Saturday/Sunday 8AM and Noon

Last Swim:  Thursday 6AM
Water Temp: mid 60's with warmer and colder pockets
Air Temp:  70ish
Clarity:   super clear
Waves:  choppy and building

Kru: Showgirl, Dragonfly, Patriarch, Cindy, Jenny, Northshore Nancy, Sheila, Mr. Bubble, Magic Mike, Kahuna, Thanos the Therrible, Guy who Ignores Us, several Mystery Swimmers who did not sign the guest book, and Diablo on the early shift

Shore Support:  Lunatic Covid-19 doubter woman & fam

Well!  Talk about a rollercoaster of water temperatures.  After Monday's shocking low-50's, today the temperature was delightfully in the mid-sixties.

There were lots of swimmers on the beach, perhaps because of the impending BEACH HAZARD.  Biggish waves are coming, 2-4' tonight.

Someone (erroneously) decided swimming south was the way to go today.  As I made my way thru the chop I was fully planning that the return trip would be much easier.  Alas, that was not to be, and it was a lot of work to get back.

Nevertheless, the amazing morning light illuminated the shoreline, the clear water revealed the bottom, and this week's earlier cold water made us grateful for the warmth of today.

Something interesting or crazy always happens at the beach.  Today I encountered a covid-19 doubter.  She expressed surprise that I was wearing a mask, and  was fortifying her skepticism with the insightful scientific observations of her pre-teen son.

Swim on, my people.

Breathtaking

Next Swims:
     Mon-Fri 6AM and 5PM
     Saturday/Sunday 8AM and Noon

Last Swim:  Wednesday 6AM
Water Temp: 58
Air Temp:  perfectly warm
Clarity:   clear near shore, cloudy further out
Waves:  nearly flat

Kru: Tattoo Lady, Showgirl, Dragonfly, Amy, Angela, Cindy, Forger, Teri, Mr. Bubble, Guy who Mostly Ignored Us (but swam skin so he's a badass), and Diablo on the early shift

Shore Support:  Jackie on her SUP

Well once again, Diablo advised us to stay on top of the water.  This time, it was not terribly helpful advice.  The water was mostly cold, with pockets of slightly warmer water and pockets of colder water that would take your breath away, the way cold air does in winter.

Anyway, nearly everyone wrestled on their wetsuits and swam north.

As I swam, I grumbled about the cold water and feeling constricted by my wetsuit.  Then I reminded myself to savor the beauty of the amazing flat water, the sunrise, the shoreline, and our incredible good fortune to live near Lake Michigan.

Don't Stop...Can't Get Enough

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Tuesday @ 5 pm
Water Temp:  64 per itch -o-meter
Air Temp:  86
Clarity:  Perfect  Carribean Clear
Waves: flat to start, tiny ripples later
Kru:  Mr. Bubble, Parker, Patriarch, Itch, Laguna, Brick, Synchro, Kahuna, Super Hera 

Getting to be routine...sunny days with minimal clouds, water not too cold, natural beauty all around.  Couple of boats lounging around, but to the north.  

First words out of Synchro's mouth when she came up on shore - "That was fantastic!".  It was a heartfelt sentiment, shared by me and probably everyone else tonight.  However, honestly, I can't remember anyone ever getting done with their swim and saying "Gawd, that was awful!"  We're all pretty good with the euphemisms and spin doctoring when we have  "less than ideal conditions".

There was some commentary after the swim, and I remember Kahuna saying "We need to put that in the blog", but now I can't remember what it was!  Some remark including the word Sh!t.  Kahuna, if you recall, please add some comment about it.  

So, I hope these lovely conditions don't stop until we get enough...and that we never get enough - even in "less that ideal conditions" 😊

Lovely is the feelin' now
Fever, temperatures risin' now
Power (oh power) is the force the vow
That makes it happen
It asks no questions why (ooh)
So get closer (closer now) to my body now
Just love me 'til you don't know how (ooh)

Keep on, with the force don't stop
Don't stop 'til you get enough
Keep on, with the force don't stop
Don't stop 'til you get enough
Keep on, with the force don't stop
Don't stop 'til you get enough
Keep on, with the force don't stop
Don't stop 'til you get enough

Don't Stop

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Tuesday @ 6 am
Water Temp:  64.7
Air Temp:  72 maybe
Clarity:   Very clear, just short of perfect
Waves: flat to start, tiny ripples later
Kru:  Diablo  on early shift, Mr. Bubble, Pool Noodle, Mary Jo, Handyman Hank, NorthShore Nancy, Shiny Chris, Magic Mike - think that's everyone

Another beautiful day with much warmer water temps than past couple of days.  Many of us hoping this trend will keep going!

Tonight, I'm gonna have myself a real good time
I feel alive and the world I'll turn it inside out, yeah

And floating around in ecstasy
So don't stop me now don't stop me
'Cause I'm having a good time, having a good time

I'm a shooting star, leaping through the sky
Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity
I'm a racing car, passing by like Lady Godiva
I'm gonna go, go, go
There's no stopping me

Won't get fooled again

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Monday @ 6 am
Water Temp:  53
Air Temp:  75
Clarity:   Perfect
Waves: flat to start, tiny ripples later
Kru:  Diablo and Rachel on early shift, Mr. Bubble, Showgirl Pool Noodle, Panini, 
Special Guest Star:  Chris from Des Moines, originally from Hustiford (has hair)

The Atwater buoy was messing with us again - said it was mid 60s.  Learned my lesson yesterday and last weekend - follow the Boy Scout Motto - Be Prepared!

So Pool Noodle, Rachel and Mr. B had full wet suits, others did not and wished they did.  I'm not sure if Showgirl actually made it in.  Panini dived in and went to out to the rocks and back, after saying over and over that she wouldn't.  

I dove in with full neoprene - full suit, gloves, socks and cowl over the head, and had a lovely northbound swim out to the staircase past stonewall.  Came back to find Panini and Pool Noodle still at the beach, probably an hour after I had swam out.  "Thanks for waiting for me!", their response - "Oh no, we weren't waiting,we've been deep in conversation about the Indian Matchmaker TV show".  Panini started vacillating - "should I or shouldn't I?" then dived in.  Pool Noodle headed out as Panini and I were heading up the hill.  

Of course, this whole experience brings to mind a popular song by The Who

Won't Get Fooled Again

Saturday's PM Swim Officially Dubbed "The Killepitsch Tree Swim"

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swims: Friday @ 5pm / Saturday @ noon / Sunday @ Noon
Water Temp:  73.8 (Macho-Meter) / 72.1 (Macho-Meter) / 54.7 (Macho-Meter)
Air Temp:  83 / 89 / 93
Clarity:   Hazey but sandy bottom visible at 10ft.
Waves: Choppy Friday &  Saturday / Flat Sunday
Kru:  (Friday) Itch, Mr. A, Kahuna,  El Jeffe, Cake Lady, Syncro, Kim, Ziggy, (a few others), Capt'n with Shore Support: Moondawg
(Saturday) Itch, Neo, Kahuna, Ziggy, Liz, Dave & Not Dave's Wife, Not Dave other Dave, Karen, Chris, (a BUNCH of others) plus Capt'n with Shore Support:  Gigi
(Sunday) Itch, Diablo, Handyman Hank, Moondawg, Mr. Bubbles, Forger, Ziggy, El Jeffe, Stephanie, Lisa, Capt'n

With all the am group posts I would be remiss if I didn't at least post one pm group post...after all, we DO celebrate our PM swims with a traditional round (...or two...) of Killepitsch!  Now, one might wonder where all this Pitsch comes from that we have on hand at the PM swims.  It doesn't grow on trees.....does it?

Well, funny you should wonder that.....cuz, as a matter of fact it just might!  After all, stranger things have happened, right?  Like the water temp dropping from 74 to 48 and right back up to the 70's in less than 48 hours last weekend.  Or the time when The Patriarch charged just $100 to swim with him.  (note: not sure what his rate is up to these days...but if you've seen his pimped out peddle pushing ride to Klode these days it's clear he's doing quite well with his lake swim tours...)  

Anywho....I digress....  So, to prove out this amazing theory regarding Killepitsch growing on trees, our very own Kahuna took it upon himself to plant one at our traditional Klode Kru home base Saturday afternoon.  Note: Kahuna's version of this story may differ from mine...so I'll let him blog about this momentous occasion.  ...long story short, though, who cares!  As long as there be Killepitsch growin' and flowin' freely on the beach does the story of where it comes from really matter?!?!

Life As We Know It; A Mystery Explained (Sort of)

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Sunday @ 8 am
Water Temp:  61
Air Temp:  80s, and climbing
Clarity:   Not much
Waves: Not flat, but not much, out of the south
Kru:  Patriarch, Northshore Nancy, Cindy, Cindy's friend Michelle,  Amanda, Karen, Janneke, Santiago, Lieutentant MJ (fka Mystery Swimmer #2), Lydia the Tatooed Lady, Linda the Lamprey, Showgirl, Panini, Chris, Dragonfly
Shore Support:  Friend of Janneke


Why is it that our great oracle, the Atwater Buoy , doesn't lie when it's going to be cold?  (This is not the mystery explained.)

Three men were standing around the SE corner of the beach as we arrived.  This is Kru territory.

"What are those guys doing on our real estate?' exclaimed Showgirl.

As the Kru descended en force, we naturally took up our rightful places, edging out the would-be usurpers.  "It's like those movies where the motorcycle gang roars in and terrorizes the small village," Showgirl commented with some satisfaction.

Grafito:  For those who have not been in awhile - the runoff pipe at the south end of the beach is sporting a large, neon grafito of the name of our current U.S. President, in all caps.  Oh, and there is another letter of the alphabet preceding this name, along with a dash.  I can't believe I still haven't take a photo of it.

So the mystery explained is this, which all you readers out there in bloggerland have been wondering about, and was asked of me today, by one of the newer-bie's (I love how when you have been standing in a spot maybe 10 minutes longer than someone else, you become an authority):

How do you get a nickname?

"Well," I began confidently. "People get to know you....and then they assign one."  Then, thinking hard and trying to cover more potentialities, "although there are some that have been self-assigned."

So you see, the mystery is explained.  Sort of.

The 61 temperature, especially compared to yesterday's easily 71, was daunting.  Some donned westsuits, others approached cautiously in skin.

Once in, not too bad, especially during the speed sprint at the start. Away from the rocks it warmed suddenly to maybe 67.  Further still was a warm layer at the top you could sort of skim along in, but at the bottom reach of the stroke would be a layer that was unpleasantly cold.  I got to Picnic Bench (now a Staircase) and then to Love Rock.  Some chit chat was taking place at Sewer Pipe so I headed over to join, but as I got close, Showgirl hailed me:

"Beware the bad-smelling water!"

So I turned tail just before Sewer Pipe.

As so often happens, the trip back was longer, colder and more arduous.  Again, why is that?  Could be a northerly current despite the southerly wind, but no way of knowing until Garmin is back up.  I swam much faster than I wanted to as I wanted it to be over.

But even a cold swim is such a life-affirming delight.  It's like  a painting, or a movie with the most stunning cinematography, and not only are you watching it, you are in it, and making it and hearing it (through your ear plugs) and smelling it and heaven knows, tasting it.  So even though I wanted it to end, I really didn't want it to end.

I even attempted a few strokes of butterfly.  As my stroke technique is emerging, to put it kindly,  I try to do these close enough to the end so I don't wear myself out too much to complete the swim....but far enough offshore so that no one calls fire and rescue.

Eat, sleep, swim.  That is life as we know it these days.

And today, even continued fellowship with Coffee. Another glimpse into paradise.

Working for the Weekend

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Saturday @ 8 am
Water Temp:  73
Air Temp:  82. getting warmer and muggier by the minute
Clarity:   Very clear but not perfect, 8.5/10, no flotsam
Waves: ripples
Kru:  Patriarch, Mr. Bubble, Dragonfly, Chris, Jill, Lydia TTL, Mama Linda, Cathy, Hannah, Mary Jo, Rachel, Cindy, Ms. Mooney, Blake (early shift)

Another perfect day - warm, calm mostly clear water, sunny skies.  Only downside was the increasing humidity.  People adapted by hanging out in the water - kinda like a hot tub in reverse.  Quote from Patriarch as we're walking up the hill together - "I feel like going back in the water already".  Although it's common to hear people say they didn't want to get out - I think they REALLY meant it today.  Just about everyone loitering at the beach after their swim, which is unusual for a morning swim, probably because there isn't any Killepitsch being served up that early.   

Another reason weekday early morning swimmers usually don't loiter - because they've got 

Work to Do

'Cause I got work to do, I got work, baby
Got work to do, I've got to give
Got work to do, I got to work
Got work to do, got so much work, yeah yeah
Work, work, yeah, work, work
Work, work, yeah, work, work

It's different for the weekend early morning swims because everybody has been 

Working for the Weekend

Everybody's working for the weekend
Everybody wants a little romance
Everybody's goin' off the deep end
Everybody needs a second chance, oh
You want a piece of my heart
You better start from start
You wanna be in the show
Come on baby lets go

Feeling like Flipper

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Friday @ 5 pm
Water Temp:  73
Air Temp:  80 maybe?  Pleasant and comfortable
Clarity:   some flotsam near shore, much clearer, 9.5/10 further out
Waves: 2-3 foot swells
Kru:  Itch, Mr. Bubble, Midtown, Kahuna, Andy (2nd timer), Handyman Hank, Synchro, El Jeffe and Cake Lady, Capt'n, Ziggy, Liz, Kim

Another lovely super warm swimming day, with some good swells to keep it interesting.  There was some debate on the beach afterwards about whether the waves made the return speedier - seemed like it was for some but not for others.  Either way - we were swimming like dolphins and feeling like Flipper

They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning, No one you see, is smarter than he, And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder, Flying there under, under the sea! Everyone loves the king of the sea, Ever so kind and gentle is he, Tricks he will do when children appear, And how they laugh when hes near! They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning, No-one you see, is smarter than he, And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder, Flying there-under, under the sea

"Awesome!"

Next Swims:
     Mon-Fri 6AM and 5PM
     Saturday/Sunday 8AM and Noon
     Saturday bonus swim: 6AM

Last Swim:  Friday 6AM
Water Temp: "Awesome" - 70 (toe-mometers)
Air Temp:  High 60s to start, a little chilly
Clarity:   Pretty clear
Waves:  Sweet gentle swells
Kru:  Patriarch, Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Pool Noodle, Sheila, Showgirl, Dragonfly
Early shift:  Diablo, Flipper Man

An inexplicably skeleton Kru given the joyous conditions.  As we headed down, PN pointed out Flipper Man coming in from the north with his signature double backstroke.

At beach level, Showgirl texted that she was running late, but would meet for coffee after.  I reported this out, but there was a sense of not-rightness, no Showgirl on a Friday?  Sheila was first to wade in boldly and declared, "Not bad."  She swam out the rock gateway, her head popped up, and her voice rang back, "Awesome!"  Awesome?  We looked at one another.   There had been some skepticism of Diablo's report of "warm" since yesterday he had also said "warm" (along with the 'stay on top of the water' proviso.)

But it truly was warm.  And awesome. The soles of your feet on the damp shoreline rocks tell the story - when it's cold, they suck your body heat right out.  Today, no news from the feet = good news.  I waded in - no clarity inside the rocks, but right away I knew the temperature was something special.  Sunlight began to peek over a bank of clouds to the east and played on the driftwood cast up on the rocks.  Further out, I could see my arms and read my watch face clearly.  And were those wavy things....sand ripples?  Pretty clear!  The color of the water was...how to describe that exact shade of pale blue?  More blue than green, more gray than periwinkle, yet still kind of glowing, luminescent.  I neared New Mudslide, one pink barbie (PN) churned on ahead, but enough for today.  Sometimes you just don't feel that extra push to round up the yardage or the time, and that's ok. I turned and nearly collided with Lydia, also headed to Mudslide.  

Opposite the Clearing I encountered another swimmer; we both stopped.  
"Are you going back?"  
"Yeah, I'm done." 
"I'll go back with you."
"Ok, but who are you?"
Unmistakable laugh.  "Showgirl!"
Happier now, order restored, we headed back to the rocks, and then a little extra, just because it was SO BEAUTIFUL.  The sunlight sparkled down into the water on my left side like another companion.  "I thought the wind yesterday would make it colder...but it didn't," Showgirl observed.  We pondered this, marveled.

One of those days - not just that you hate to stop - it feels like almost a  moral imperative to continue on infinitely, until you couldn't physically lift an arm, to soak every last bit of goodness out of the water and the air and the sky and the shore.  Maybe one day we'll do that.  But today, we packed up, headed up, toward other obligations. But I relived it a little, writing this.

Kru and friends

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Thursday @ 5 pm
Water Temp:  70
Air Temp:  72 maybe?  Pleasant and comfortable
Clarity:   Lotsa flotsom near shore, crystal past the rocks
Waves: flat at first, 4-6" swells on the way back
Kru:  Itch, Brick, Mr. Bubble, Parker, Will (2nd timer), Midtown
Anonymees - two women without swim caps, a couple wearing full wetsuits and matching swim caps

Showgirl noted in this morning's blog that there have been an unprecedented number of people turning out for the 6 am swim.  By contrast, fewer regular Kru members coming out for the evening swim, but an increased number of fellow swimmers - people who come down to Klode to  go swimming, not necessarily looking to interact with the Kru, but following our example.  May also have something to do with the unprecedented warm water 😁

Stay on Top of the Water

Next Swims:
     Mon-Fri 6AM and 5PM
     Saturday/Sunday 8AM and Noon
     Saturday bonus swim: 6AM

Last Swim:  Thursday 6AM
Water Temp: 60/61
Air Temp:  65
Clarity:   pretty clear
Waves:  swells out of the north (tho Dragonfly thought there was current out of the south)

Kru: Mr. Anonymous, Tattoo Lady, Ala, Karolina, Showgirl,  Magic Mike, Dragonfly, MoonDawg, Cindy, MaryJo, Cathy with a C, Linda, Handyman Hank, and...Diablo on the early shift
Shore Support:  Panini, Northshore Nancy, Patriarch, and guys with boats!

Diablo was leaving as I was arriving and he gave me this valuable advice:  "stay on top of the water."

This unprecedented year and these unprecedented times have brought out an unprecedented number of morning swimmers, and today was no exception.

The water inside the rock piles and along the shore was pretty darn cold, but if you went further out, it was probably mid 60's... at least in the top few inches.  This week's temperature rollercoaster caused many to leave their wetsuits at home, so there were a few reluctant skin swimmers today.

As usual, people swam varying distances.

When we got back to the beach, there were men, pickup trucks, an ATV, and boats.  Dragonfly ascertained that they had something to do with checking out the water intake pipe.

There is always something exciting happening on the beach.

Groundhog Evening

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Wednesday @ 5 pm
Water Temp:  69
Air Temp:  82
Clarity:   crystal, could see bottom the whole way
Waves: flat at first, 4-6" swells on the way back
Kru:  Mr. Anonymous, Itch, Kahuna, Super Hera, Synchro, Brick
Repeat Performers:  Patriarch, Linda the Lamprey, Mr. Bubble, 
First Timer:  Andy
Anonymees - two men, two women, didn't get their names

You know the movie Grounhog Day?  It's all about how Bill Murray wakes up every morning and finds he is in an endless loop, repeating the same day over and over again.  That's what it felt like to me today and actually quite often at the beach lately.  Perfect or near perfect conditions in the sky and water, day after day, with a few exceptions here and there to keep it interesting.  

Synchro tried to convince me that the 5 pm swims are best - I did not completely agree, although I did concede that sharing the Killepitsch is the key advantage of the evening swim over the morning swim.  Today's Toast - More of the Same! (i.e. - perfect or near perfect).  

Looking forward to waking up tomorrow and repeating the whole experience again, and then doing the same on Friday!

Why we do this

Next Swims: Wednesday 5pm, Thursday & Friday, 6am and 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am and noon

Last Swim: Wednesday 6am

Air  Temp: 75

Water Temp: 67.5

Waves: Flat, but on the return there was a very gentle swell coming from the southeast.

Clarity: kinda murky near the rocks, clearer out in the bay

Kru: Ala, Karolina, Patriarch, North Shore (Wonder Woman) Nancy, Handyman Hank, Mr Bubble, Showgirl, Forger, Pool Noodle, Magic Mike, and there was a crowd from TriFaster(?): Amy, Cindy, Terri, and Rachel.  Please forgive me if I missed someone.

This morning was a swim-for-the-point kind of morning. Get out there, the water refreshes, the surface is flat, and it seems as if Fox Point is calling you, enticing you to forget your daily commitments and swim for it. But hey, people gotta work. I mean if I have a Zoom call at 9:00, other people must really be busy! So Mudslide filled in for Fox Point as the destination for many of us. It looks like they built a staircase out onto the mudslide. Has that always been there? It's been a while since I've been out that way. 

As I was stepping out of the water after my swim, Patriarch, who had swum in with me, said "Hey, look." and nodded out into the cove. In swam six or eight swimmers with brightly colored swim caps and bobbing barbies backlit by the sun emerging from behind the clouds. Each had her own stroke, each her own trajectory in to shore. It almost looked choreographed. 

It ain't just for fitness we do this. 

Getting the short end of the stick

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Tuesday @ 6 am
Water Temp:  67
Air Temp:  about 70 and sunny
Clarity:   lotsa jetsam near shore, 8-9/10 further out
Waves: 2 - 3 feet
Kru:  Mr. Anonymous, Pool Noodle, Dragonfly, Magic Mike, Mr. Bubble, MaryJo, Terri, Lydia TTL, Laguna

Started out the day by being knowledgeably powerful instead of blissfully ignorant; i.e. - checked the buoy temperature before heading to the beach.  Of course, that buoy has been setting us up for big surprises the past couple of days.  It was a pleasant surprise today - actual temp at Klode was only 3 degrees colder than Atwater, instead of 10 - 13 degrees colder like the last couple of days.  However, it was atypically rough for an early morning swim - kind of like swimming in a washing machine, but on the gentle cycle.  

Nice turnout this morning, including three blog admins; Magic Mike, Dragonfly and Mr. B.  Who's going to write it up?  At first, Mr. Magic and I were discussing and he said he would write it up, then the three of us were walking up the hill and Dragonfly asked who would write it, and I said I would, then I remembered that Mike had said he would (hypoxia does that to you, along with senior citizenship), Dragonfly said that she could.  We decided to draw straws (sticks really).  Mike stops to pick up some sticks on the way up and starts breaking them up into short, medium and long sticks.  Pool Noodle and Mary Jo are walking behind us and they're wondering what Mike is playing with. 

So, I guess I haven't had much experience drawing straws.  At first, I thought Mr. Magic should not be holding the sticks, we need a neutral party.  Mike offers to make the last pick - fair enough.  I draw first and drew the short straw and Mike draws the longest.  "Awesome, Mike does the blog today".  Uh, no, the person who drew the short straw is doing the blog this morning.  "Oh yeah, that's how it's supposed to work".  In other words, I got the short end of the stick.  

So, we don't have any photos of the three sticks, but Mary Jo did get a great video of Terri and I making our way into the waves

What goes down must go up

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Saturday @ Noon
Water Temp:  63, with some warmer spots further out
Air Temp:  about 70 and cloudy, cool
Clarity:   lotsa jetsam near shore, 8-9/10 further out
Waves: 6-8" swells
Kru:  Partiarch, Moe, Itch, Brick, Mr. Bubble, North Shore Nancy, Handyman Hank, Dragonfly, Chris (new nickname = Midtown), El Jeffe, Super Hera

Tonight was an interesting contrast to this morning.  This morning, I arrived 15 minutes late and was met with scowling, unhappy faces, saying "Cold!", "G-D Atwater Buoy", "Effing Atwater Buoy" and "Fuggedaboutit, I'm outta here".  The unhappy faces were heading back up the hill as I was heading down.  

This evening, I went down to the beach about 5 minutes early and got to work with the mitch-o-meter.  This time, the faces coming down to the beach were looking uncertain and nervous.  No verbal communication needed - the looks on those faces were clearly saying "Is it still cold?", "Is it OK to go in now?".  Of course, the most common verbalized question was "What's the water temperature?"

By the time I made it back to shore, the uncertain faces were gone, and there was Super Hera getting out of her wetsuit.  Itch and Brick's backpacks and gear were still there and they arrived a few minutes later.  Only three of us for the Killepitsch, with SuperHera as our witness.  Tonight's toast - To warmer water!  What goes down must go up!

Can't think of any songs about "What goes up must come down" - had to reverse polarity.
The point is the same, regardless of the polarity
the Spinning Wheel is The Circle of Life

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
'Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The Circle of Life

It's a World Gone Mad

Next Swims:
     Mon-Fri 6AM and 5PM
     Saturday/Sunday 8AM and Noon

Last Swim:  Monday 6AM
Water Temp:  50? 51?
Air Temp:  Warm
Clarity:   crystal
Waves:  like glass

Kru: Mr. Anonymous, Tattoo Lady, Ala, Karolina, Showgirl, Kahuna the Magnificent, Thanos the Magnicent, Chris, Pool Noodle, Magic Mike, Sheila, Mystery Swimmers 1 and 2, Mr. Bubble, and...Diablo on the early shift
Shore Support:  Panini, Northshore Nancy, Handyman Hank, Patriarch

It was hard to reconcile Monday morning at 6AM with the number of swimmers that were already on the beach.

There was also a glum atmosphere, and (after my arrival) a lot of profanity.

Someone had taken the temperature, and though the Atwater buoy said 70 last night, OUR water was in the low 50's.

Still, an impressive number of people reluctantly pulled on their wetsuits, sleeves, booties, gloves, hoods, and whatever else they could pull on (PN's extra swimsuit and TL's rashguard shirt) and got in the water.

I channeled my inner Diablo and said, "Sewer Pipe!"  Once there I decided to go to the garage.  Most people went even further. I think Mr. Bubble went skin for an official distance swim, Mr. A wore just his lava pants, and Pool Noodle did a leisurely lap around the rock pile... skin.  They are badasses.

So we all know heat rises. The warm water is out there somewhere.  That said, if you're swimming anytime soon, you might want to dust off your wetsuit.

Ignorance is Bliss

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Saturday @ Noon
Water Temp:  51.6 on north side of barrier, 48.5 on south side
Air Temp:  upper 80's
Clarity:   crystal
Waves: glass
Knuckleheads:  Itch, Brick, Mr. Anonymous, Mr. Bubble, Linda the Lamprey
Near Shore Support:  Capt'n, Ala, Handyman Hank, Sandy, Parker, Ms. Sinner (Mr. B's friend)

"Knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss" - for years, I've been saying that and following it up with "Sometimes I wish I was less powerful and more blissful".  I achieved that goal today.  Totally ignorant of the buoy reading, ignorant of Mike's "Clear as a bell and Cold as Hell" blog post from this morning.  Blissfully ignorant of the need to bring a wetsuit today.  Blissfully ignorant of the need to tell my first timer friend, Angela, to bring her wetsuit.

As usual, the foot-o-meter convinced me "it's not that bad" - couldn't understand why the numbers on the mitch-o-meter kept decreasing, couldn't understand why the itch-o-meter was saying upper 40's.  

But honestly, it was a blissful swim for those of us who made it past the rocks - the water was actually warmer past the rocks and warmer still down by the birches - warmest spots seemed to be in the mid to upper 50s!  Since we were too ignorant to know any better, we just kept swimming.  

Clear as a bell and cold as hell

Next Swim:Sunday, noon

                    Mon-Fri 6am, 5pm

Last Swim: Sunday 8am

Air Temp: 80

Water Temp: 52- this might be a generous estimate.

Clarity: stunning

Waves: flat

Kru: Dragonfly, Linda the Lamprey, three hale and hardy fellows desperately trying to measure up to Linda's badassery, Magic Mike.

I headed off to the beach this morning to lower my body temperature. I met Dragonfly in the lot. Linda had just headed down with a small group. Nobody else showed, which I thought was strange, as yesterday's 8am shift was full of swimmers. Easily a dozen yesterday. Today was different, though. When we got to the beach Dragonfly turned to me and said, "Oh, did you look at the buoy this morning?" I had not. "54!" she said. Good thing I brought the wetsuit. 

I looked over at Linda and her acquaintances. We all know Linda doesn't mess with no wetsuits. The three fellows near to her were tentatively testing the water and laughing nervously. Linda dove in and started swimming. Dragonfly and I were busy getting into our wetsuits. Not an easy task in these hot and humid conditions.  Once we did, we got in and decided that 54 was for the buoy, not for Klode. This water was colder. Closer to 50.

A ring of clouds started to close in on us. The water began to ripple the way it does when a front is blowing over. The cold, the front, and memories of yesterday's knuckleheadedness combined to make it a sewerpipe swim. Enough to lower your body temp and say you swam. Dragonfly remarked about how beautifully clear the water was. And she was right. Would have been a good day for a longer swim, in a different set of conditions. 

Knucklehead Swim!!

Next Swims:  
     Mon-Fri @ 6 am and 5 pm, 
     Saturday/Sunday @ 8 am and Noon  
Last Swim: Saturday @ Noon
Water Temp:  70
Air Temp:  upper 80's/low 90s and muggy on arrival
Clarity:   getting there, maybe 5/10
Waves: 1-2 feet
Knuckleheads:  Itch, Karen & Dave, Brick, Mr. Anonymous, Mr. Bubble, The Other Dave, Fred, Sandy, Pool Noodle, Capt'n, Diablo, Kahuna, Parker, Chris, Scooby Dan, Ala and Carolina, 

Knucklehead Swim! That was the Killepitsch post today!
It was a knucklehead swim because some knuckleheads were actually swimming during a thunderstorm!  But there were extenuating circumstances 😇

• Extenuating Circumstance #1 - Thunderstorms were not forecast for today!  This a grievous violation of the Meteorologist's Code of Professional Conduct - to whit; 
• False positive forecasts are always acceptable.  
• False negative forecasts are never acceptable
• Extenuating Circumstance #2 - Some Knuckleheads actually got out of the water for 10 - 15 minutes to wait for the storm to pass.    
• Extenuating Circumstance #3 - Some of the swimmers actually got out of the water and hightailed it off the beach before the thunder and lightning started. 

Watching the Time Out Knuckleheads get back in the water and head back to the beach was quite a sight to see.  Especially when we saw these big bolts of lightning striking the surface!  However, the delay between seeing the lightning bolt and hearing the thunder was 5-10 seconds, so we figured the lightning was several miles away.  Also saw several impressive lightning bolts strike the shore, but still didn't hear the thunder for several seconds.  Tried to capture one of those lightning bolts on video - only managed to capture some video showing the clouds light up.

The other impressive thing to watch, which I had never seen before, is the gusher of brown water coming out of the pipes running along the steel barriers.  Apparently, that's rain water that's been drained off the streets through the storm sewer. There was a whole plume that came rushing out of the pipe at the southernmost steel barrier.  Diablo successfully got the attention of the knuckleheads who were swimming right towards the brown plume, and managed to re-direct them to come ashore on the little beach, just south of the barrier.  The last group coming out of the water said the same thing happened with the sewer pipe south of Love Rock.  The brown plume from the water coming out of that pipe could be seen from the beach - it must have extended a half mile off shore.

There's only one song that can do justice to today's swim
Thunder and Lightning by Chi Coltrance (1972)

Ooh! What a good thing I've got
Oh it's such a good thing I've got
I don't think I can stand it
Thunder and Lightning
I tell you it's frightening
It's thunder and lightning
And you're in control
.
I thought my life was complete
But look what you've doin' to me
Oh! You're makin' me crazy
Thunder and Lightning
I tell you it's frightening
It's thunder and lightning
And you're in control
.
I don't know how to handle it
It's more than I would dare
I wouldn't try to run from it
It reaches me everywhere
.
I'm feelin' dizzy and weak
You make me forget how to speak
I can feel it happening
Thunder and Lightning
I tell you it's frightening
It's thunder and lightning
And you're in control
.
I don't know how to handle it
It's more than I would dare
I wouldn't try to run from it
It reaches me everywhere
Ooh! What a good thing I've got
Oh it's such a good thing I've got
I don't think I can stand it