This morning was my last swim in the bay until August. The Albany Bulb sent me off with a wild last ride through crazy waves, fog that rolled in and out, and blustery winds. The waves felt an especially fitting goodbye since I will be spending the next six weeks swimming in a (mostly) tranquil… Read More Goodbyes and WTFs (Day 175)
It was wonderful to be back home in the briny, greenish waters of the Albany Bulb this morning where there are no waves to torment me. I met up with Arwen, Sheila, and Colleen and a squadron of pelicans flew over as we were getting in just to welcome me back. When I woke up… Read More Home Again Home again Jiggedy Jig (Day 170)
It was my last swim with Angie before we go off on our separate summer adventures; the last swim for Arwen, Sheila, Angie, and I all together. We arrived at the Albany Bulb at 7 and it was already as hot as a typical mid-day in the Bay Area. The water felt bath-water warm (also… Read More A Goodbye (for now) Swim (Day 161)
I woke up in the mood for a pool swim today. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed the steady, meditative back and forth of a lap swim; the blueish tint to the dimly lit space of the pool, the quiet hum. The smell of chlorine and wet towels. But the biggest draw of… Read More Swimming in the Pool with Anna (Day 154)
We had a very fun celebration of fifty-four years of Angie this morning. Arwen, Sheila, Colleen, Kim, Kira, and I arrived early to blustery winds, gray skies, and choppy waves at the Albany Bulb. It was also low tide and so it was another mud slog and flop into the water kind of entry. But… Read More Celebrating Angie (Day 153)
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)
It was sunny, calm, and clear today at the Albany Bulb. I met up with Gabe for another chatty swim. It was a great day for it; the water was silky and luxurious; perfect for gliding along and talking about big and small things while a light breeze fluttered and the sun kept us warm. … Read More Reasons to Swim (Day 133)
I swam early today with Angie, Arwen, and Sheila, my original wild swimming salty sea sisters. It’s unusual for us to all manage an early morning on the same day and it felt like a celebration. Not the least because the bay was in full splendor when we arrived. Tangerine and pink skies, layers of… Read More Tangerine Morning (Day 131)
What I wanted for Mother’s Day was to swim with my girls and be provided with breakfast. What I got was swimming with Hazel and making my own breakfast before rushing off to the Bay Area Book Festival. I actually got a lot more than that. First, so many friends made it down to the… Read More Mother’s Day (Day 128)
My friend, Emily, and her kid, Gabi, are staying with us for the weekend as we all attend and volunteer at the Bay Area Book Festival. Emily and I met at Lit Camp several years ago and pre-pandemic we’d often meet up to write together; lovely afternoons where very little writing ever got done. I… Read More Emily At Sea (Day 127)