Next Swims: Thursday 8/9 6AM & 6PM, Fri 8/10 6AM
Sat 8/11, open water clinic with James and Jessica 11:00-12:30
Last Swims: Tue 6PM, Wed 6AM & 6PM
Water Temp: mid-70s
Waves: 1-2 ft, choppy and rough with a pretty good current
Water Clarity: Gunky near shore, much better away from shore
Tue PM Crew: Ele, Jason, Kahuna, Patriarch
Wed AM Crew: Brain, Diablo, Cap'n, Patriarch, Wonder Woman, Gumdrop, Showgirl, James, Ali
Wed PM Crew: Wonder Woman, Lorraine, Patriarch
I arrived at the beach Wednesday evening, my mood matching the gray drizzly sky. I was still tired from the morning battle in rough seas followed by a run. To be honest I really didn't feel like battling those waves again. I didn't think anyone would show up on this dreary evening and I was about to slink away but then Wonder Woman appeared on her bike followed by newcomer Lorraine. Into the mumbo jumbo we went. It was a short swim, only to garage and back. But as always it was exhilarating and I was glad we did it.
We'll do it again Thursday and Friday and the forecast is interesting to say the least. In addition to a prediction of thunderstorms and high waves, there is something I've never seen before in the forecast: a possibility of waterspouts. Waterspouts? What the heck are they? I'm not sure, but I have visions of being swept up in some black vortex and deposited on a beach in Munchkinland.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Scooby Vindicated: Treasure Chest Found!
Next Swims: Tue 8/7 6PM, Wed 8/8 6AM & 6PM
Also: On Saturday James and Coach Jessica will conduct an open water clinic from 11:00 - 12:30. This is an informal clinic: no registration, no fee, no responsibility on their part, swim at your own risk.
Also coming soon: we are close to zeroing in on a date for Scooby's party at his house on Beach Drive. Last year's party was the highlight of the season, you don't want to miss it.
That's not all: I am looking for a favorable day to do a shipwreck swim to the wreck of the steamship Appomattox off Atwater Beach. This might be a last minute impromptu swim, keep your eyes on the blog.
Last Swim: Tue 8/7 6AM
Water Temp: 70+
Waves: Almost Calm
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: It was bring your family to Klode day - Nivens McTwist brought his daughters Little Fish and Smart Ass, Ron brought his sons Jeremy and Ilian(sp?), and Coach Jessica brought her mom Denise, also swimming were Joe, Jake, James, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Diablo, Wonder Woman, Crash, David, Brain, Scooby, Patriarch - that's 20 swimmers total, which I believe is the record for a weekday swim
Have you been watching the Olympics and seen the commercial where Ryan Lochte swims the Atlantic to get to London? He says, "it wasn't luck that got me to London, I swam there". I was thinking of that as I was swimming this morning. For me swimming across Whitefish Bay is just as epic as swimming to the Olympics, except unlike Ryan I have no talent, I'm just lucky. Lucky to be swimming under a gorgeous crimson sunrise in clear calm warm water with great group of friends.
Everyone that's been making fun of Scooby (which is pretty much everyone) since he claimed to see a "treasure chest" must now apologize. Several swimmers confirmed it. It's very close to the shore, just north of the yellow kayak that is on the rocks just before the Silver Spring "drain pipe". But the next question is: what's in it? It's much too heavy and buried in sand to lift out. Wonder Woman suggested dynamite. Any other ideas? I'll bet James and Flipper will figure it out. One's an ex Navy diver and the other an ex Navy seal. They taught you how to blow things up underwater, right?
Also: On Saturday James and Coach Jessica will conduct an open water clinic from 11:00 - 12:30. This is an informal clinic: no registration, no fee, no responsibility on their part, swim at your own risk.
Also coming soon: we are close to zeroing in on a date for Scooby's party at his house on Beach Drive. Last year's party was the highlight of the season, you don't want to miss it.
That's not all: I am looking for a favorable day to do a shipwreck swim to the wreck of the steamship Appomattox off Atwater Beach. This might be a last minute impromptu swim, keep your eyes on the blog.
Last Swim: Tue 8/7 6AM
Water Temp: 70+
Waves: Almost Calm
Water Clarity: Excellent
Crew: It was bring your family to Klode day - Nivens McTwist brought his daughters Little Fish and Smart Ass, Ron brought his sons Jeremy and Ilian(sp?), and Coach Jessica brought her mom Denise, also swimming were Joe, Jake, James, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Diablo, Wonder Woman, Crash, David, Brain, Scooby, Patriarch - that's 20 swimmers total, which I believe is the record for a weekday swim
Have you been watching the Olympics and seen the commercial where Ryan Lochte swims the Atlantic to get to London? He says, "it wasn't luck that got me to London, I swam there". I was thinking of that as I was swimming this morning. For me swimming across Whitefish Bay is just as epic as swimming to the Olympics, except unlike Ryan I have no talent, I'm just lucky. Lucky to be swimming under a gorgeous crimson sunrise in clear calm warm water with great group of friends.
Everyone that's been making fun of Scooby (which is pretty much everyone) since he claimed to see a "treasure chest" must now apologize. Several swimmers confirmed it. It's very close to the shore, just north of the yellow kayak that is on the rocks just before the Silver Spring "drain pipe". But the next question is: what's in it? It's much too heavy and buried in sand to lift out. Wonder Woman suggested dynamite. Any other ideas? I'll bet James and Flipper will figure it out. One's an ex Navy diver and the other an ex Navy seal. They taught you how to blow things up underwater, right?
Monday, August 6, 2012
My Stinky, Stinky Friend
Next Swims: Tuesday 8/7 6AM & 6PM, Wed 8/8 6AM
Last Swims: Sunday 8/5 9AM, Monday 8/6 6AM & 6PM
Water Temps: 71.1 - 76.3+
Waves: calm for AM swims, slight chop PM swim
Water Clarity: Outstanding for all swims!
Sunday Crew: The Patriarch, Diablo, Gumdrop, Padre, Wonder Woman, David, Ryan, Ron, Kim, Capt'n
Monday AM Crew: Diablo, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Sir James, Ron, Ali, Capt'n
Monday PM Crew: The Patriarch, Wonder Woman, Crash, Dave, Not Dave's Wife, John, Matt, Capt'n
For those who haven't become accustomed to it, encountering it can be a bit unsettling. No, I'm not referring to Gumdrop's speedo collection or witnessing The Patriarch and his love lube. I like to refer to it with one of my favorite phrases...."say hello to my stinky, stinky friend!" Yes, I''m referring to the green algae that will typically line 2 of Klode's 4 beaches this time of year. The green slime will typically stretch out 5-10 feet from shore, remain between the rock piles and become a little pungent after a few days of fermentation under the hot summer sun.
Where it comes from and where it goes has always been a mystery...but I like to think of it as the way the lake gets back us for the "stinky, stinky friends" we can be sometimes be to the lake...especially for those who like to employ those alternative propulsion and wetsuit warming options. :(
With the incredibly warm air and water temps this summer one would think it would be a banner year for my "stinky, stinky friend" to hanging around the Klode beach...but it hasn't. We have seen the algae accumulate along a few of Klode's beaches from time to time this summer but when it has been around it hasn't been nearly as aromatic as in past years. Even more mysterious recently was the sudden disappearance of the algae from Klode's shores Sunday morning...and the subsequent pleasant arrival of some exceptionally clear water.
What ever the reason it certainly has been the best year ever for swimming in the Lake....crystal clear water, consistently comfortable warm water and only a few brief instances where I've said hello to my "stinky, stinky friend."
Last Swims: Sunday 8/5 9AM, Monday 8/6 6AM & 6PM
Water Temps: 71.1 - 76.3+
Waves: calm for AM swims, slight chop PM swim
Water Clarity: Outstanding for all swims!
Sunday Crew: The Patriarch, Diablo, Gumdrop, Padre, Wonder Woman, David, Ryan, Ron, Kim, Capt'n
Monday AM Crew: Diablo, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Sir James, Ron, Ali, Capt'n
Monday PM Crew: The Patriarch, Wonder Woman, Crash, Dave, Not Dave's Wife, John, Matt, Capt'n
For those who haven't become accustomed to it, encountering it can be a bit unsettling. No, I'm not referring to Gumdrop's speedo collection or witnessing The Patriarch and his love lube. I like to refer to it with one of my favorite phrases...."say hello to my stinky, stinky friend!" Yes, I''m referring to the green algae that will typically line 2 of Klode's 4 beaches this time of year. The green slime will typically stretch out 5-10 feet from shore, remain between the rock piles and become a little pungent after a few days of fermentation under the hot summer sun.
Where it comes from and where it goes has always been a mystery...but I like to think of it as the way the lake gets back us for the "stinky, stinky friends" we can be sometimes be to the lake...especially for those who like to employ those alternative propulsion and wetsuit warming options. :(
With the incredibly warm air and water temps this summer one would think it would be a banner year for my "stinky, stinky friend" to hanging around the Klode beach...but it hasn't. We have seen the algae accumulate along a few of Klode's beaches from time to time this summer but when it has been around it hasn't been nearly as aromatic as in past years. Even more mysterious recently was the sudden disappearance of the algae from Klode's shores Sunday morning...and the subsequent pleasant arrival of some exceptionally clear water.
What ever the reason it certainly has been the best year ever for swimming in the Lake....crystal clear water, consistently comfortable warm water and only a few brief instances where I've said hello to my "stinky, stinky friend."
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Breakfast with Wonder Woman Sunday
Next Swim: Sunday 8/4 9AM, followed by breakfast at Lauren's (who henceforth will be known as Wonder Woman) Wonder Woman lives near the Alterra in Shorewood exact directions will be given on the beach. Also, swims Monday at 6AM and 6PM
Last Swims: Fri 8/3 6PM, Sat 8/4 noon
Water Temp: 78
Waves: Choppy and Rough
Water Clarity: Poor, all stirred up
Fri PM Crew: Matt, Crash, Cap'n, Slip-n-Slide, and lady with Slip-n-Slide
Sat Crew: Rob, Wonder Woman, Joann, Mike, another Mike, Ron, Patriarch, Kahuna, Diablo, Eric, Larry, Dave, Capt'n
A rough day in the water, but nowhere near as rough as the day Gwen had in London, flat tire and all. That didn't stop us from drinking a toast to her after our swim. She's still our hero!
Last Swims: Fri 8/3 6PM, Sat 8/4 noon
Water Temp: 78
Waves: Choppy and Rough
Water Clarity: Poor, all stirred up
Fri PM Crew: Matt, Crash, Cap'n, Slip-n-Slide, and lady with Slip-n-Slide
Sat Crew: Rob, Wonder Woman, Joann, Mike, another Mike, Ron, Patriarch, Kahuna, Diablo, Eric, Larry, Dave, Capt'n
A rough day in the water, but nowhere near as rough as the day Gwen had in London, flat tire and all. That didn't stop us from drinking a toast to her after our swim. She's still our hero!
Friday, August 3, 2012
The Search Continues / Good Luck Gwen!!!
Next Swims: Friday 8/3 @ 6PM & Saturday 8/4 @ Noon
Last Swims: Thursday 8/2 @ 6PM & Friday 8/3 @ 6AM
Water Temps: Continued Awesomeness, 73.2+
Waves:
Friday AM - calm
Water Clarity:
Friday AM - crystal Clear
Crew:
Thursday PM - The Patriarch with trusty companion Barbi
Friday AM - The Patriarch, Diablo, Kahuna, Brain, Scooby, Nivens McTwisp, Lauren, Josh, Capt'n with special guest appearance by Gumdrop
The conditions for our Friday AM swim were perfect for continuing our quest to find Scooby's treasure....crystal clear water and comfortably warm water and air temps. With a crew of 9 including Scooby himself leading the way we were all giddy with anticipation of how we'd split the treasure once we found it. Sadly though, we all returned empty handed with nothing but a few harrowing stories of freakish clouds of sand that would suddenly and mysteriously cloud the waters as well as a giant man eating lake trout that appeared out of nowhere and then suddenly vanished. Not to be deterred the crew vowed to return again in search of Scooby's treasure.
Congratulations to the Klode Kru mates who participated in Thursday evening's Aquathon at Menomonee Park: Matt, Riptide, Sir James, Dave & Not Dave's Wife, Ali, Sarah, Padre, Mike & Alewife and of course Capt'n.
Results from the Aquathon can be found here: http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=26739#racetop
Last but not least....best of luck to Klode Kru mate Gwen Jorgensen (!) who will be competing in the Olympic Triathlon at 3am Milwaukee time tonight. The live broadcast can be found on NBC Sports Network (...which is Channel 1323 on Time Warner Cable) We look forward to swimming with you again at Klode!
Last Swims: Thursday 8/2 @ 6PM & Friday 8/3 @ 6AM
Water Temps: Continued Awesomeness, 73.2+
Waves:
Friday AM - calm
Water Clarity:
Friday AM - crystal Clear
Crew:
Thursday PM - The Patriarch with trusty companion Barbi
Friday AM - The Patriarch, Diablo, Kahuna, Brain, Scooby, Nivens McTwisp, Lauren, Josh, Capt'n with special guest appearance by Gumdrop
The conditions for our Friday AM swim were perfect for continuing our quest to find Scooby's treasure....crystal clear water and comfortably warm water and air temps. With a crew of 9 including Scooby himself leading the way we were all giddy with anticipation of how we'd split the treasure once we found it. Sadly though, we all returned empty handed with nothing but a few harrowing stories of freakish clouds of sand that would suddenly and mysteriously cloud the waters as well as a giant man eating lake trout that appeared out of nowhere and then suddenly vanished. Not to be deterred the crew vowed to return again in search of Scooby's treasure.
Congratulations to the Klode Kru mates who participated in Thursday evening's Aquathon at Menomonee Park: Matt, Riptide, Sir James, Dave & Not Dave's Wife, Ali, Sarah, Padre, Mike & Alewife and of course Capt'n.
Results from the Aquathon can be found here: http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=26739#racetop
Last but not least....best of luck to Klode Kru mate Gwen Jorgensen (!) who will be competing in the Olympic Triathlon at 3am Milwaukee time tonight. The live broadcast can be found on NBC Sports Network (...which is Channel 1323 on Time Warner Cable) We look forward to swimming with you again at Klode!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Strange Sightings Follow Full Moon
Next Swims: Thursday 8/2 @ 6PM? & Friday 8/3 @ 6AM
Last Swims: 8/1 Full Moon Swim @ 7:30PM & Thursday (8/2) @ 6AM
Water Temps: Continued Awesome, 72.6+
Waves:
Wed PM - slight chop from south
Thursday AM - calm
Water Clarity:
Wed PM murky near shore, clear further out
Thursday AM - crystal Clear
Full Moon Crew The Patriarch, Gumdrop, Kahuna, Showgirl, Sir James, Jack Frost, Scooby, Diamond Dave, Crash, Riptide, David, Ali, Sandra, Nick, Ryan, Capt'n plus 3 more P3 swimmers (...sorry, can't remember your names) with post swim appearance by soon to be crew mates Buddy & Audra
Thursday AM Crew: Diablo, Brain, Capt'n and a sighting of The Patriarch?
The Swim conditions were absolutely perfect this morning. Both water & air temps were in the low 70's, the water was calm with crystal clear clarity and a bright full sun climbed into a cloudless sky as we began our swim.
Given the exceptional water clarity this morning the crew decided to embark on a little search for Scooby's Treasure. Unfortunately we had no luck in finding it. Multiple crew members this morning however,did report a strange sighting of The Patriarch as they were approaching the Klode beach. About 100 meters from shore The Patriarch appeared to be standing along the shoreline to greet us as we returned from our treasure hunt. After putting our heads back in the water to finish our swim home The Patriarch vanished....never to be seen again. Was he ever really there? In the 60 seconds it took the Crew to swim the last 100 meters could The Patriarch really have traversed from beach to bluff? ....or were we just having a bad swim dream?
The full moon swim Wednesday evening was a blast! Despite a nagging slight chop from the south and the full moon rise being fashionably late a great time was had by all....complete with howls at the moon, multiple rounds of Pitsch, full moon swimmers and Lisa's pizza. Stay tuned for pictures....
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Tonight: Howl at the Full Moon & Eat Pizza
Next Swim: Howl at the Full Moon Swim tonight 8/1, be on the beach and ready to swim at 7:30, the full moon rises over the lake at 7:41PM. The National Weather Service predicts clear skies so it should be good. Having aroused our animal spirits by howling at the full moon, we will return to the beach for a shot of Pitsch, then go to Lisa's for beer and pizza.
There will be swims Thu 8/2 at 6AM & 6PM. There will also be a swim Friday morning at 6AM. Not sure about 6PM (I can't make it, but maybe others will?) Tomorrow I will post the swim times for the weekend.
Last Swims: Mon 6PM, Tue 6AM & 6PM, Wed 6AM
Water Temps: Awesome, 70s plus
Waves: Mon & Tue very rough and choppy, Wed gentle rollers
Water Clarity: Gunky right on the beach, murky near shore, clear further out
Mon PM Crew: Patriarch, James, Christie, Mike, Matt, Dave, Cap'n
Tue AM Crew: Steve, Lauren, Ali, Brain, Patriarch, Diablo, Showgirl, Gumdrop, David
Tue PM Crew: eRun, Stacy, Eli, Kahuna, with guest appearance by Jack Frost & Cal
Wed AM Crew: Steve, Lauren, Ryan, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Brain, Diablo, Cap'n, Patriarch
Much to report. First of all, congratulations to James, the new age 50+ National Champion (and third overall) in the ten mile(!) open water swim held this past weekend in Lake Minnetonka Minnesota. His time was 3:53, If I did the math right, that's about a 1:20 per hundred yard pace. For ten miles! Holy Cow!
Does anyone know for sure how to watch Gwen live Saturday morning? The women's tri starts at 3AM our time. I've found couple websites that say it will be broadcast live on NBC, but I'm not sure that's correct because the WTMJ schedule doesn't show it. Maybe it's on cable or on a web stream? On the NBC Olympic site it seems to say you need the "right" cable or web provider.
If we only had a brain department: Gumdrop showed up today with a boot to protect his foot which has been diagnosed with a stress fracture. Between him and Cap'n we ALMOST have enough working parts to put together one whole man.
After yesterday morning's swim Steve reported sighting a Treasure Chest near shore about 150 yards north of the Silver Spring drain pipe only 15 feet from shore. This news was of course greeted with howls of derision and ridicule, but since I'm hoping Steve will host a party at his beach house I believe his every word without question. We wanted to look for it this morning but the water on the shore was too murky.
July ends with a bang. We already have logged over 500 individual swims, and in a testament to how warm the water has been, the skin count exceeds the wetsuit count 267 to 252 respectively. Wow! Without doubt this has been the best July ever.
There will be swims Thu 8/2 at 6AM & 6PM. There will also be a swim Friday morning at 6AM. Not sure about 6PM (I can't make it, but maybe others will?) Tomorrow I will post the swim times for the weekend.
Last Swims: Mon 6PM, Tue 6AM & 6PM, Wed 6AM
Water Temps: Awesome, 70s plus
Waves: Mon & Tue very rough and choppy, Wed gentle rollers
Water Clarity: Gunky right on the beach, murky near shore, clear further out
Mon PM Crew: Patriarch, James, Christie, Mike, Matt, Dave, Cap'n
Tue AM Crew: Steve, Lauren, Ali, Brain, Patriarch, Diablo, Showgirl, Gumdrop, David
Tue PM Crew: eRun, Stacy, Eli, Kahuna, with guest appearance by Jack Frost & Cal
Wed AM Crew: Steve, Lauren, Ryan, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Brain, Diablo, Cap'n, Patriarch
Much to report. First of all, congratulations to James, the new age 50+ National Champion (and third overall) in the ten mile(!) open water swim held this past weekend in Lake Minnetonka Minnesota. His time was 3:53, If I did the math right, that's about a 1:20 per hundred yard pace. For ten miles! Holy Cow!
Does anyone know for sure how to watch Gwen live Saturday morning? The women's tri starts at 3AM our time. I've found couple websites that say it will be broadcast live on NBC, but I'm not sure that's correct because the WTMJ schedule doesn't show it. Maybe it's on cable or on a web stream? On the NBC Olympic site it seems to say you need the "right" cable or web provider.
If we only had a brain department: Gumdrop showed up today with a boot to protect his foot which has been diagnosed with a stress fracture. Between him and Cap'n we ALMOST have enough working parts to put together one whole man.
After yesterday morning's swim Steve reported sighting a Treasure Chest near shore about 150 yards north of the Silver Spring drain pipe only 15 feet from shore. This news was of course greeted with howls of derision and ridicule, but since I'm hoping Steve will host a party at his beach house I believe his every word without question. We wanted to look for it this morning but the water on the shore was too murky.
July ends with a bang. We already have logged over 500 individual swims, and in a testament to how warm the water has been, the skin count exceeds the wetsuit count 267 to 252 respectively. Wow! Without doubt this has been the best July ever.
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