Friday, September 23, 2022

Drama & Chills with the Changing Seasons

  Next swims: 

Mon - Fri 6am, 5pm; Sat & Sun 8am and noon


Last Swim: Thursday, 6 a.m.


Air temp:
 53
Water temp: 66 per TTL
Waves:  About 1 foot waves to start, 2 feet by finish
Clarity: Murk, pale brown, clearer away from the rocks
Kru:  Showgirl, Lydia the Tatooed Lady, Linda the Lamprey, Corryn,  Jenna, Dragonfly


Spectacular pre-dawn driving over the Hoan with black sky, stars and white clouds to the left, pale sky with orange tint and black clouds to the right.

Eerie darkness and chill as we tried to persuade ourselves that we really wanted to do this.


The scene was dramatic and thrilling as we, only visible as silhouettes, waded into the waves which felt surprisingly warm and welcoming compared to the air.  Entering into the swim as a bargain, we knew what awaited us on the return.  Truly an intro to the wild and exciting Fall season.

As I swam the eastern sky staged its own dramatic act with intense sunrise hues.  The western sky lit up as well with a vivid swath of pink, luring me on to the Cute Chairs.  But gauging the cold which was starting to settle around my shoulders (I had protected my upper arms with sleeves), I wisely turned at Old Mudslide.

The entire shore was cinematic orangey golden in the newly rising sun.  The waves began to increase, and by the time I neared the rock piles forward motion seemed equally balanced with up and down.  We were almost surfing into shore by the end.  Unfortunately lots of gunk was also surfing in.

Getting changed was a re-introduction to the joys of hypothermia.  We shivered into socks and sweatshirts and planned to meet up at Stone Creek Coffee, a location appreciated for snazzy design and delicious and creative baked goods.

Sitting around the table, I realized we were six women who ranged in age from 30 to 62, with every decade represented.  Lots of laughter and wit in a wide-ranging conversation and also as got to know Jenna, our newest member.  

"Thanks for being so welcoming," she said.

"Yah, you fit right in, can you tell?" I said.  In other words, you're as weird as the rest of us.

So grateful I have stumbled upon this amazing group of badass kindred souls who share a strong sense of what is a good use of our time here on Earth.

4 comments:

Dolphina said...

Any reports since yesterday morning's light show. Water temps after the west wind?

jamie said...

Tuesday night, figure it's late September, bit chilly, forecast 3-4 foot waves, kinda gloomy, might as well check out the actual conditions on the beach. Take the temperature......62-freaking bonus, waves forecast to be 3-4 feet were more like gentle 2 footers with the occasional 5 foot swell...double bonus! Once past the rock piles and sand bars.....damn near calm and truly lovely-third bonus. Getting back to the beach post swim after making it through some rather large breakers to find Synchro with a STILL WARM!!! apple cake THAT SHE TOPPED WITH POWDERED SUGAR(with a sifter)on the beach!! like some kind of mad gourmet.......fourth and ultimate bonus!!!!
Almost felt like a beautiful dream....but it happened. Brick and myself were speechless. Bless the mad gourmet Synchro and her apple cake of freedom!!!

The beach........Gotta love it!!

there was also a beautiful sunset with pink and purple clouds- we'll give that half a bonus.
total: 4.5 bonuses...but the cake was 3 bonuses by itself so.....a 7.5 bonus swim!

Wytosk said...

Holy moly every single one of us missed out!! Thats the best swim report I’ve ever read. Chef Synchro for Mayor!

Dragonfly Riffraff said...

I second!