Pirates Kitchen on Tuesday

Ahoy mates! Join us at the Pirate's Kitchen (California Pizza Kitchen) Tuesday night at 7PM to celebrate, the coming of spring, the swims soon to come, and hear stories of Capn's Gasparilla Adventure (and perhaps you have your own winter adventures to regale the crew). Eat, drink, and be merry!

Well Done, Cap'n!

Cap'n is the 2012 Gasparilla Piratefest Michelob Ultra Champion!! As near as I figure he had to do well in four races over two days, a 5K, a 15K, a half marathon, and a "5+3K" (whatever that is). That's just totally nuts. Only a crazy pirate would do that, and Cap'n is just the pirate for the job.

Outstanding! Exceptional! Where is the booty? Where are the pictures?

Well done, Cap'n!

Winter Blues

It be hard times for a snow lovin' pirate. During the off season for swimming in the Lake I like to spend as much time as possible on a different kind of white water - snow. But this winter stinks if ye be a snow lover! So I've been spending way too much time drowning my sorrows in rum, crying in my beer, and wallowing in self pity. No lake to swim in, no snow to ski on, nothing on TV but Downton Abbey (gag!), and a bunch of idiots running for president calling each other names (puke!).

So, looking for a little something to cheer myself up, I start thinking about the upcoming swim season, and I take a peek at the blog, maybe someone has put some good pictures or good comments out there. What do I see? A picture of Gumdrop prancing through the surf on New Years Day in a top hat, bow tie, and budgie smuggler. I walk into the kitchen and stick my head in the oven. Note to self: putting your head in an electric oven doesn't work particularly well.

So, I ask Siri to direct me to the nearest high bridge so I can jump off, when "ding" up pops a message from Crash, suggesting a midwinter crew rendezvous at the Pirate's Kitchen (aka California Pizza Kitchen.

Excellent idea! Just the thing to chase the blues away. Who be with us? Leave a comment with possible days.

P.S. Here's a picture of Kahuna and me from his "Greater Shorewood Bikers" winter outing recently. Which got me to thinking, maybe we need a "Greater Shorewood Swimmers". I'm sure the people that live near Klode will be thrilled to learn that they actually reside in "Greater Shorewood".

3rd Annual Polar Bear Swim Summary

Last Swim: Sunday January 1, 2012 12PM

Water Temp: 35
Air Temp: 34, mostly cloudy, windy

Waves: small

Water clarity: cloudy

Crew: Gumdrop, Bubba, Crash, Lil' Sista, Bob, Sam, Don, P-Higgie, Alex, Igor, Scott, Capt'n

Below are some picture from today's most excellent Polar Bear (viking) swim adventure. Bubba, Gumdrop clad in a special New Year's swim outfit (see pics) and I all braved the strong westerly winds gusting occasionally over 40mph to log a viking swim.

Reports indicate that all crew members who walked the plank today successfully returned but noticeably absent from our Post Plunge Pitsch Celebration was Bubba...the last we saw of Bubba (...that I can recall...) is the picture below of Bubba successfully returning from his swim.

3rd Annual Polar Bear (Viking) SWIM plans

Date: January 1, 2012
Location: Bradford Beach
Swim Time: Noon
Advance Meeting Time: 11:30 Lake Park Bistro Parking Lot
Beach Arrival Time: 11:45
Beach Meeting Place: directly east of Bradford Beach House

Ahoy Mates....what say you?!?!? Arrr ya' in?

See ya' therrrr if ya darrrr! :)

End of Season?

Next Swim: 2012?? But feel free to suggest a place and time. (I will be in California the next two weeks.)

Last Swim: Saturday Oct 29 1PM

Water Temp: low 50s

Waves: Small

Water clarity: Murky

Crew: Diablo & Gumdrop

Two auspicious events on Saturday: a possibly season ending swim Saturday afternoon, and Capn's excellent Halloween party Saturday night. Here's a couple pictures from the swim, hopefully Cap'n or someone will post pictures from the party.

A large fish swimming at Klode south beach. I'm no expert, but I think it was a walleye.

Two unidentified large fish at south-south beach.

Odes to Kahuna

Next Swim: ???? Make a suggestion in the comments

Last Swim: Sunday 10/23

Water Temp: low 50's

Waves: Small chop:

Water Clarity: Murky

Crew: Gumdrop, Diablo, and me watching from the beach. It might have been wishful thinking, or maybe too much Killepitsch, but I could swear I saw a third swimmer between Diablo and Gumdrop. Was it the ghost of Kahuna?

I dedicate today's blog to our old buddy. Feel free to leave your own poem or story about our wooden friend.

We once had a Kru-Mate Kahuna,

Who swam by the light of Luna,

He turned in to a tree,

Washed up on Klode,

Hoist 'Pitsch to toast the old tuna!

There once was a swimmer from Shorewood,

In who's memory 'Pitsch one we should,

To our surprise,

He met his demise,

Washed up as Klode Beach driftwood!