Bleary-eyed with jet lag and the particular bodily displacement that comes from traveling such a long distance in such a short time, I arrived back in the stormy Bay Area ready to take my last plunge of my year of swimming in my favorite place: the Albany Bulb. It was pouring with rain as our… Read More 365 Days of Swimming
Today we had a cheerful holiday swim gathering at the Albany Bulb. Lots of swimmers came out, which seemed extra special because the numbers have been dwindling lately. It was great to swim with a big crowd again. There’s nothing like watching a dozen people brave the cold and go paddling off in all directions. … Read More Celebrating (Day 351)
Today was a lovely swim at sunrise with friends. It’s rare that Sheila, Arwen, Angie, and I all manage to swim together these days and so it always feels special when it happens. A frigid wind blew as we got into the water and with each wince and groan, I thought, it’s going to be… Read More Greeting the Day with Friends (Day 350)
Yikes! I nearly forgot to write my blog today. I had an early swim with Angie, Sheila, and Kira. At the risk of sounding redundant (but isn’t that the way with this blog?), the light was captivating today. There’s just something about those early mornings. The clouds and sun in a game of hide and… Read More Succumbing to the Cold (Day 341)
I woke up early but kept postponing my swim. First because Hazel went to bed sick last night and I wanted to wait for her to wake up to check in with her. Then, I was trying to track Angie down: She’s not been back in the water since returning from Thanksgiving and I wanted… Read More Angiefish (Day 333)
My Dad and Yasuko are visiting for Thanksgiving and they came down to the Albany Bulb with me this morning along with Kevin, Hazel, and Lulu. Arwen and Jorge were there, too, and I felt thankful for my family, glad for their company in my happy place. The joyful group of 7 o’clockers was getting… Read More Giving Thanks (Day 328)
It was another beautiful day down at the Albany Bulb. Arwen was back! It was lovely to swim with her again. Kim joined us and, though we planned for an earlier swim, we were slow pokes and wound up going with the 8 o’clockers. There was lots of skin today: maybe it was the sunshine?… Read More Glistening, Glittering Bay (Day 326)
After dropping Hazel off at work at 6:15, I went down to the Albany Bulb for an early morning solo swim. I was looking forward to the sunrise. But, when I arrived there was just one other car in the parking lot and someone was sitting in it and I felt like maybe waiting for… Read More Spending the Morning at the Bulb (Day 325)
It was lovely to be reunited with Angie and Sheila for a swim this morning. I didn’t think I’d make it: I sent a message to the group at 3 in the morning when I was aching all over and feeling terrible. Don’t expect me. But then I woke up a few hours later feeling… Read More Reviving (Day 316)
The milestone of 300 swims seems somehow less momentous than 100 or 200 did. Maybe it’s because I’m so close to the end of my year of swimming: 365 is the number on my mind these days; 300 is just a signpost telling me it’s coming soon. But maybe it’s also because daily swims have… Read More 300 Days of Swimming