Awe and Magic: Lake Michigan is making us better humans

Next Swims:

        FULL MOON SWIM:  8PM Wednesday

        Mon-Fri 6AM and 5PM

        Saturday/Sunday 8AM and Noon

Last Swims: Wednesday 6am
Water Temp: 63.5
Air Temp: high 60's
Clarity: good near shore, murky but not dirty away from shore
Waves: like glass
Kru: Magic Mike, Lydia TTL, Ala, Dragonfly, Showgirl, Linda the Lamprey, Blake, Sheila

It's hard to describe how magically joyful swimming was today.  Post-swim I asked Dragonfly if her swim was filled with more than the usual amount of joy and wonder, and she replied that she had "the standard amount." Swimming nostalgia may have been playing a role, also the feeling of intense gratitude and wonder that we have Lake Michigan as our very own.

Anyway... the water was flat and the sun was not yet above the horizon when we arrived on the beach.  Dragonfly said the official sunrise for today was 6:15, but even so, there was plenty of light.

The water felt cool on my feet, so I was happy to see 63+ on my thermometer.

After a bit of chit-chat, we swam north. Often after we launch, I never see another swimmer, but today, I could see swimmers the whole time, as I veered between shore and deeper water.

I was gleeful to still be swimming skin after last week's cold water.  Everything felt easy and smooth, and as we neared New Mudslide, the sun rose above the horizon.

On the return trip I noticed a single burst of red leaves on trees above the rock wall. The rising sun immediately added warmth.

There are scientists researching awe, and they say it fosters not only physical health, but also a feeling of humbleness, the desire to connect with others, and makes us more likely to go along with what we need to do to maintain social harmony-- all that from a trip to the beach.