Angie and I were at the Albany Bulb before light this morning. At just after 6 we weren’t even the first ones in the water. It was a magical feeling being down at the water so early in the morning, one I haven’t experienced in a long time.

The air felt strangely warm, but the water was decidedly cold.

We crept our way in and, soon, we were fully immersed; surrounded by water.

Somehow when darkness is all around, the water features even more prominently in my experience. It seems like a crazy thing to say: isn’t the water always the most prominent aspect of the swim? But weirdly, no. There’s the sky, the clouds, the birds, the city in the distance, the hills in the other distance. By day there is stimulation galore. But in the dark, it’s just the water; silky and glowing, alight with subdued color and alive with energy. Peaceful and vibrant. 

By the time we left, the gray sky had brightened and the beautiful bay was in its glory.