Next Swims: Mon 7/30 6PM, Tue 7/31 6AM & 6PM, Wed 8/1 6AM
Wed 8/1: Howl at the Moon Swim, be on the beach and ready to swim at 7:30PM
Full moon rises over the lake at 7:41PM.
I could be persuaded to go Lisa's for pizza afterwards
Last Swims: Sun 7/29 1:30PM, Mon 6AM
Water Temps: low 70s
Waves: Sunday afternoon 1 foot very choppy, Monday morning flat calm
Water Clarity: Stirred up Sunday, Crystal Clear Monday
Sun Crew: Diamond Dave, David, Ryan, Brian, Nick, Ali, Kim, Nivens McTwist, Mrs. McTwist, and their two Twisters (aka Little Fish and Smartass), Gumdrop, Kahuna, Diablo, Patriarch
Mon AM Crew: Gumdrop, Showgirl, Brain, Steve, Lauren, Patriarch, Cap'n, plus a mystery swimmer way out deep who I would bet is Eric
After several days of very choppy and challenging water, this morning was warm, clear, and calm. Swimming seemed completely effortless. Cap'n and me cruised the 3/4 mile to flat rock in no time and the trip back was just as quick and easy. A beautiful sunrise over the lake added to the ambiance.
The amazing streak of warm water continues. We are only seven swims short of 500 individual swims for the season. I'll have to go back and check, but I'm quite sure we've never come anywhere close to that by the end of July. Also, because of the warm water we have many more skin swims than usual and soon we'll have more skin swims than wetsuit swims. Currently the skin count is 243 and the wetsuit count is 248. Normally August would be the best month for swimming in Lake Michigan, but it's hard to see how August could beat this incredible July.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Comfortably Playful
Next Swims: Sunday 7/28 @ 1:30PM, Monday 7/29 6AM & 6PM
Last Swim: Fri 6PM & Sat 9AM
Water Temp: 72-74+
Waves: heavy chop / 1-3ft white caps Friday PM, moderate rolling chop Sat AM.
Water Clarity: Stirred up near shore, clearing off shore
PM Crew: The Patriarch, Kahuna, Jeff, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Lauren, Capt'n (plus one more...sorry, can't remember his name) with special guest appearance from Crash
AM Crew: The Patriarch, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Flipper, Padre, Jack Frost, John, Dave, Not Dave's Wife, Jeff, Bruce, Capt'n, with special guest appearance from Crash
White capped sea serpents playfully splashed around the bay for as far as the eye could see Friday evening. Excited about our Friday Fish Fry plans the crew was all to happy to join them for a Friday evening frolic across the bay. The swim up to Garage took the crew about 15-20 minutes while the swim took little more than 5.
Gone Saturday morning were our white capped friends but the wake they left behind made once again for a challenging swim northward. Comfortably warm water conditions and a cloudless sky encouraged the crew to continue our swim adventure all the way northward to mudslide despite a steady diet of playful 1ft waves that challenged just about every swim stroke. The reward for our efforts northward was a swift and virtually effortless swim back to Klode....unless of course you're a workaholic like Jeff who chose to battle the near shore waves as they crested over the sandbars rather than enjoy the swift current southward that could be found outside of the sandbars..
Last Swim: Fri 6PM & Sat 9AM
Water Temp: 72-74+
Waves: heavy chop / 1-3ft white caps Friday PM, moderate rolling chop Sat AM.
Water Clarity: Stirred up near shore, clearing off shore
PM Crew: The Patriarch, Kahuna, Jeff, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Lauren, Capt'n (plus one more...sorry, can't remember his name) with special guest appearance from Crash
AM Crew: The Patriarch, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Flipper, Padre, Jack Frost, John, Dave, Not Dave's Wife, Jeff, Bruce, Capt'n, with special guest appearance from Crash
White capped sea serpents playfully splashed around the bay for as far as the eye could see Friday evening. Excited about our Friday Fish Fry plans the crew was all to happy to join them for a Friday evening frolic across the bay. The swim up to Garage took the crew about 15-20 minutes while the swim took little more than 5.
Gone Saturday morning were our white capped friends but the wake they left behind made once again for a challenging swim northward. Comfortably warm water conditions and a cloudless sky encouraged the crew to continue our swim adventure all the way northward to mudslide despite a steady diet of playful 1ft waves that challenged just about every swim stroke. The reward for our efforts northward was a swift and virtually effortless swim back to Klode....unless of course you're a workaholic like Jeff who chose to battle the near shore waves as they crested over the sandbars rather than enjoy the swift current southward that could be found outside of the sandbars..
Friday, July 27, 2012
Fish Fry Friday
Next Swims: Fri 7/27 6PM, followed by a fish fry at Jack Pandls
Also, Sat 9AM, Sunday TBD
Last Swim: Fri 6AM
Water Temp: 70
Waves: a little choppy
Water Clarity: Good
Crew: Gumdrop, Showgirl, Cap'n, Patriarch, Diablo, Ali, Flipper, plus a couple triathletes whose names I don't know, and a mystery swimmer who we spotted heading out deep (Eric?)
We'll stop at Jack Pandl's after tonight's swim, about 7:15. Once I determine who is all coming I'll try to call for a reservation. So if you're not swimming but coming to the fish fry please comment or email or text so that I can include you in the count.
Jack Pandl's is right on Lake Drive about a mile south of Klode and a short distance north of Big Bay (on the big sweeping curve). One cool thing about eating there is the pictures they have on the wall of the resort that used to be there (the remnants of which we can see above and below the water as we swim between Klode and Big Bay).
Saturday morning we'll swim at 9AM, and we'll discuss Sunday's plan at the fish fry.
Also, Sat 9AM, Sunday TBD
Last Swim: Fri 6AM
Water Temp: 70
Waves: a little choppy
Water Clarity: Good
Crew: Gumdrop, Showgirl, Cap'n, Patriarch, Diablo, Ali, Flipper, plus a couple triathletes whose names I don't know, and a mystery swimmer who we spotted heading out deep (Eric?)
We'll stop at Jack Pandl's after tonight's swim, about 7:15. Once I determine who is all coming I'll try to call for a reservation. So if you're not swimming but coming to the fish fry please comment or email or text so that I can include you in the count.
Jack Pandl's is right on Lake Drive about a mile south of Klode and a short distance north of Big Bay (on the big sweeping curve). One cool thing about eating there is the pictures they have on the wall of the resort that used to be there (the remnants of which we can see above and below the water as we swim between Klode and Big Bay).
Saturday morning we'll swim at 9AM, and we'll discuss Sunday's plan at the fish fry.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
70+ Water Returns / Fish Fry Friday
Next Swims: Friday 7/27 6AM & 6PM
Last Swims: Thu 7/26 6PM
Water Temps: 72.2-74.6+
Waves: slight rolling chop
Water Clarity: clear
Crew: The Patriarch, Capt'n
After a brief respite the 70+ and clear water conditions returned Thursday evening. The coolest water temp recording I could find was 72.2 from the Klode shore but The Patriarch and I encountered several pockets of considerably warmer water (80?) during our journey.
The Friday Fish Fry plans are to swim from Klode at 6pm and then head out for a Friday Fish Fry between 7-7:30pm. Current plans are to head over to Jack Pandl's Whitefish Bay Inn which less than 2 miles south of Klode on Lake Drive...or just a few blocks north of Big Bay park.
A map to Pandl's can be found at: http://www.jackpandls.com/map.htm
If you're not swimming plan to meet us at 7:15pm...and be sure to save us a table or two as I hear the fish is fantastic!
Please note: the fish fry location at this time has not been officially sanctioned by The Patriarch so please check back for the Friday AM blog post for the official fish fry location.
Last Swims: Thu 7/26 6PM
Water Temps: 72.2-74.6+
Waves: slight rolling chop
Water Clarity: clear
Crew: The Patriarch, Capt'n
After a brief respite the 70+ and clear water conditions returned Thursday evening. The coolest water temp recording I could find was 72.2 from the Klode shore but The Patriarch and I encountered several pockets of considerably warmer water (80?) during our journey.
The Friday Fish Fry plans are to swim from Klode at 6pm and then head out for a Friday Fish Fry between 7-7:30pm. Current plans are to head over to Jack Pandl's Whitefish Bay Inn which less than 2 miles south of Klode on Lake Drive...or just a few blocks north of Big Bay park.
A map to Pandl's can be found at: http://www.jackpandls.com/map.htm
If you're not swimming plan to meet us at 7:15pm...and be sure to save us a table or two as I hear the fish is fantastic!
Please note: the fish fry location at this time has not been officially sanctioned by The Patriarch so please check back for the Friday AM blog post for the official fish fry location.
Devil Swim
Next Swims: Thursday 7/26 6PM, Fri 7/27 6AM & 6PM
Last Swims: Wed 7/25 6PM & Thu 7/26 6AM
Water Temps: low to mid 70's (Wed), 66.6 @ 6AM Thurs
Waves: calm
Water Clarity: Cloudy near shore, clearing further out
Wed PM Crew: The Patriarch, Sir James
Thursday AM Crew: The Patriarch, Diablo, Kahuna, Lauren, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Capt'n
Surprisingly the water conditions weren't too bad Thursday morning...although a little bit on the cool side. This morning's Captn-o-meter reading of 66.6 was a little bit of rude awakening compared to the 70+ degree water we've grown accustomed to...but in retrospect it's more in line with what the water temp is traditionally this time of year. (Coincidentally, not only was the water temp reading at 6am this morning 66.6 this morning's swim was also our 66th swim of the season....)
If you're worried that our days of 70+ degree water are nearing an end...don't be. According to the temperature maps there's still plenty of warm water in the lake both above and below the lake surface. With today's forecast calling for temps in the low 80's there a good chance our streak of consecutive 70+ degree days (...only 1 day in the past 3 weeks has seen a recorded water temp below 70...) may even continue with this evenings 6PM swim!
Last Swims: Wed 7/25 6PM & Thu 7/26 6AM
Water Temps: low to mid 70's (Wed), 66.6 @ 6AM Thurs
Waves: calm
Water Clarity: Cloudy near shore, clearing further out
Wed PM Crew: The Patriarch, Sir James
Thursday AM Crew: The Patriarch, Diablo, Kahuna, Lauren, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Capt'n
Surprisingly the water conditions weren't too bad Thursday morning...although a little bit on the cool side. This morning's Captn-o-meter reading of 66.6 was a little bit of rude awakening compared to the 70+ degree water we've grown accustomed to...but in retrospect it's more in line with what the water temp is traditionally this time of year. (Coincidentally, not only was the water temp reading at 6am this morning 66.6 this morning's swim was also our 66th swim of the season....)
If you're worried that our days of 70+ degree water are nearing an end...don't be. According to the temperature maps there's still plenty of warm water in the lake both above and below the lake surface. With today's forecast calling for temps in the low 80's there a good chance our streak of consecutive 70+ degree days (...only 1 day in the past 3 weeks has seen a recorded water temp below 70...) may even continue with this evenings 6PM swim!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Rainbows and Lightening Bolts
Next Swims: Wed 7/25 6PM, Thu 7/26 6AM & 6PM
Last Swims: Tue 7/24 6PM, Wed 7/25 6AM (We didn't swim Tue AM because of a thunderstorm)
Water Temps: low to mid 70's
Waves: 1 foot choppy
Water Clarity: Murky near shore, clear further out
Tue PM Crew: Patriarch, Kahuna, Diablo, Sarah, Lauren
Wed AM Crew: James, Matt, Ryan, Lauren, Ali, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Cap'n, Diablo, Patriarch
This morning the western horizon was graced with one of the most beautiful rainbows I have ever seen. Well defined bands of bright color stretched all the way across the sky. Violet, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, and all the colors in between. From the water it was an especially spectacular sight.
Unfortunately (or maybe inevitably) behind the rainbow were dark clouds, rain, thunder and lightening. Beauty, raw power, and danger all wrapped together, just like the lake. Reluctantly we ended our swim early, but we'll be back for another go tonight.
For those of you who haven't been following the blog comments, Kahuna is making some very good and some very bad suggestions. Good: Team picture day - who has a good camera? Good: Olympic triathlon party to watch our friend Gwen Jorgensen (who swam with us a couple times). Very very bad: Gumdrop Swimsuit Day - a special place has been reserved for Kahuna in the 9th circle of hell for this suggestion.
Reminder: Fish Fry Friday after Friday night's swim
Last Swims: Tue 7/24 6PM, Wed 7/25 6AM (We didn't swim Tue AM because of a thunderstorm)
Water Temps: low to mid 70's
Waves: 1 foot choppy
Water Clarity: Murky near shore, clear further out
Tue PM Crew: Patriarch, Kahuna, Diablo, Sarah, Lauren
Wed AM Crew: James, Matt, Ryan, Lauren, Ali, Gumdrop, Showgirl, Cap'n, Diablo, Patriarch
This morning the western horizon was graced with one of the most beautiful rainbows I have ever seen. Well defined bands of bright color stretched all the way across the sky. Violet, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, and all the colors in between. From the water it was an especially spectacular sight.
Unfortunately (or maybe inevitably) behind the rainbow were dark clouds, rain, thunder and lightening. Beauty, raw power, and danger all wrapped together, just like the lake. Reluctantly we ended our swim early, but we'll be back for another go tonight.
For those of you who haven't been following the blog comments, Kahuna is making some very good and some very bad suggestions. Good: Team picture day - who has a good camera? Good: Olympic triathlon party to watch our friend Gwen Jorgensen (who swam with us a couple times). Very very bad: Gumdrop Swimsuit Day - a special place has been reserved for Kahuna in the 9th circle of hell for this suggestion.
Reminder: Fish Fry Friday after Friday night's swim
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Patriarch's Consecutive Skin Swim Count
Next Swims: Tuesday 7/24 6AM & 6PM, Wed 6AM
Last Swims: Mon 7/23 6AM & 6PM
Water Temps: 72.7 (with pockets of slightly cooler and warmer water)
Waves: flat
Water Clarity: cloudy am, clear offshore pm
AM Crew: The Patriarch, Diablo, Gumdrop, Kahuna, Showgirl, Lauren
PM Crew: The Patriarch, Crash, Mary, Sidney, Laura, Hailey, Debra, Dave, John, Capt'n (plus one other....sorry, I can't remember your name)
The lake conditions have been SO nice....just how nice? They have been SO nice The Patriarch has now swum in the lake 25 consecutive days without a wetsuit!! Granted the first day of his streak officially registered on the Loco-meter at 58 and the next two in the low 60's but since then the water temps have been 65 or higher. (...which is The Patriarch's officially sanctioned threshold for skin swimmable water.)
Yes indeed, ideal conditions persisted once again for this evening's swim. Water temps in the low 70's, a flat lake surface and crystal clear water (50-100 meters from shore) The Klode crew of regulars was a tad bit light this evening but our numbers were buoyed thanks to a group of 8 swimmers walking the plank at the same time we were.
The majority of this evening's crew enjoyed a delightful swim up to Mudslide and back while a few from our sister crew swam a bit longer in preparation of upcoming events. Just about the only thing unpleasant this evening were some rather aggressive biting flies.....whose life I'm sure will be short lived thanks to the growing number and size of the dragonflies we saw patrolling the walkway from the beach to the parking lot.
Last Swims: Mon 7/23 6AM & 6PM
Water Temps: 72.7 (with pockets of slightly cooler and warmer water)
Waves: flat
Water Clarity: cloudy am, clear offshore pm
AM Crew: The Patriarch, Diablo, Gumdrop, Kahuna, Showgirl, Lauren
PM Crew: The Patriarch, Crash, Mary, Sidney, Laura, Hailey, Debra, Dave, John, Capt'n (plus one other....sorry, I can't remember your name)
The lake conditions have been SO nice....just how nice? They have been SO nice The Patriarch has now swum in the lake 25 consecutive days without a wetsuit!! Granted the first day of his streak officially registered on the Loco-meter at 58 and the next two in the low 60's but since then the water temps have been 65 or higher. (...which is The Patriarch's officially sanctioned threshold for skin swimmable water.)
Yes indeed, ideal conditions persisted once again for this evening's swim. Water temps in the low 70's, a flat lake surface and crystal clear water (50-100 meters from shore) The Klode crew of regulars was a tad bit light this evening but our numbers were buoyed thanks to a group of 8 swimmers walking the plank at the same time we were.
The majority of this evening's crew enjoyed a delightful swim up to Mudslide and back while a few from our sister crew swam a bit longer in preparation of upcoming events. Just about the only thing unpleasant this evening were some rather aggressive biting flies.....whose life I'm sure will be short lived thanks to the growing number and size of the dragonflies we saw patrolling the walkway from the beach to the parking lot.
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