We celebrated Colleen and Marcia’s birthdays today down at the bulb. First with a swim. Loads of people plunged into the water this morning; the unseasonably warm weather, the opportunity to celebrate nice people, the joy of a Saturday swim. The water continues to feel refreshingly cold yet balmy for this time of year. I’m… Read More Celebrating Nice People (Day 43)
Another glorious swim at the bulb; deliciously cold water, sunny skies, and fabulous company. Colleen was back with us today. Two weeks ago she went for her daily, morning swim and then headed right into shoulder surgery. She was told she had to stay out of the water for two weeks and bang on two… Read More Dedication (Day 35)
I’ve been waiting 26 days to write this blog post! Today our friend Sheila returned from New York and we had a long-awaited reunion of our original swimming pod, the Salty, Saucy, Swim Sisters. I started open water swimming last January, spurred by a pandemic year of exploring the bay by kayak and paddleboard, and… Read More Reunited (and it feels so good…) (Day 26)
It’s the year of saying yes to swimming, so today I went for two swims. First with Arwen and Angie, back at our home spot: the Albany Bulb. It was totally calm, the water flat the air windless. It’s been this way for days, causing bad air quality, but it made for a peaceful, relaxing… Read More Saying Yes (Day 13)
If I were a cup, I’d be spilling all over the floor right now, so full am I with the love showered on me in the last several days. Kevin bought me these woolly boots for my birthday to keep my feet toasty after my swims and I’ve been wearing them constantly. My feet are… Read More Gratitude (Day 12)
Welp, I’m fifty. I had an amazing birthday. It started in Inverness with a stunning sunrise. I stood and watched the day unfold, coffee warming my hands. The sun came up glorious and warm and Kevin and I went for a kayak, paddling vigorously, muscles burning, and then drifting quietly, watching the birds splash into… Read More Birthday (Day 11)
My pre-birthday celebrations continued today. Kevin and I drove up to Inverness where we are staying for two nights at the beautiful Dancing Coyote Beach. It was the first day since January 1st that if I wasn’t doing this swimming challenge, I would have skipped. My plan was to swim in Tomales Bay when we… Read More Inverness (Day 10)
I’ve spent the day buzzing with the particular kind of warm happiness that comes from being showered in kindness. Angie and Arwen organized a birthday swim celebration for me and it was fantastic. Old friends and new friends (and a few folks who just gamely joined in) gathered to swim and then eat treats (so… Read More Celebrating (Day 9)
My first swim of my year of swimming was an easy swim to love. I woke up to sunshine on a beautiful beach in Baja surrounded by dear friends and family who were as eager to plunge into the surf as I was. The waves were rollicking and forceful as if insisting that 2022 was… Read More Plunging In (Day 1)