It was a wild day down at the Albany Bulb today. The wind was whipping so ferociously when Angie and I arrived, sea foam was flying up the beach like balls of fluff. The waves were as big as I’ve ever seen them at our little beach. It was slightly intimidating as we got in,… Read More Wild (Day 146)
We are into our second (third?) week of heat and when I stepped out my front door this morning, I couldn’t believe how hot it already was. Get me to the water, I thought. But, surprisingly, it was kind of cool down at the bulb. A brisk wind blew in from the ocean and the… Read More Swimming and Talking (Day 145)
When I woke up soon after five this morning, I really wished I was still asleep. We started fostering kittens last night and in the excitement of that and Hazel’s late night homework, I didn’t get to sleep as early as I wanted. So, while I had it in the back of my mind that… Read More Dawn Patrol (Day 144)
I forgot to write about today’s swim (I am writing this the next day). I’ve failed to write before—when I’ve swum very late in the day, been traveling, or unusually busy—but this was the first time I’ve ever forgotten completely. I’ve been forgetting a lot of things these days: perimenopause? Post-Covid brain? Stress? Fortunately, some… Read More Forgetfulness (Day 143)
I swam with the 8 o’clock swimmers today and I didn’t take any pictures! My main swim buddies and I have always been 8 o’clock swimmers adjacent. We enjoy each other’s company at the circle together either before or after our swims, but once we get into the water, they shoot off in one direction… Read More Albany Bulb Swimmer’s Circle (Day 142)
I swam with Colleen to the Point of the Point this morning. For anyone who is keeping track, we measure our swims according to four landmarks: The Little Tree, which is maybe a quarter mile out, depending on how we meander. In the winter or when we are feeling relaxed and chatty, The Little Tree… Read More The Point of the Point (Day 141)
I woke up uncharacteristically late today and it discombobulated me; threw my plans into disarray. I ended up heading down to the Albany Bulb by myself at 7:30—a group had gone in at 7 and another was going in at 8, but there I was betwixt and between. Part of me was looking forward to… Read More Monkey Mind (Day 140)
Sheila, Angie, and I arrived at the bulb at 6:15 this morning and it already felt like a sultry summer day. We are in the midst of one of those heat waves where the warmth of the day doesn’t fully disappear overnight and I was eager to jump into the bay; had been dreaming about… Read More Heat Wave (Day 139)
In retrospect, my close encounter with a shark yesterday did not fill me with the kind of fear I would have expected it to. As I’ve mentioned on this blog before, I’m a total wimp when it comes to wildlife encounters (at sea or elsewhere). Each time I see a seal at a distance my… Read More Getting Back In (Day 138)
Thump. We were a twenty-minute swim from shore in the Berkeley Marina when something solid rammed into the side of my leg. “What…?” I barely had time to register that something was amiss when I felt the firm, slick skin of something very alive and riled-up slither under my legs; then back again along my… Read More Shark! (Day 137)
Jenny Swimming 