I’m making this quick since I’m just about to leave for L1 right now. And I’d strongly recommend you get out there ASAP as well!
Dave sent me an urgent text message with some images of the swim site from a short while ago (see below). It turns out we had a rare temperature inversion take place at our favorite swim site this morning, and it’s given us some unseasonably warm air and lake temperatures.
I was flying into O’Hare on Thursday morning, and the plane circled around the lakefront. So I took some quick aerial photos of some of our favorite swim sites:
Huge kudos go out to Vinny at the Park District for coming out and fixing Ladder 1! Dave was out at the swim site earlier today and took these shots. Many thanks to the Park District for keeping the ladders in all year – and especially to folks like Vinny who make our lakefront the best place to be all year round. Per Dave:
Ladder 1 repaired by Vinny today. I promised he would be featured on Open Water Chicago. As thanks for fixing it. I have known him for a long time and he even pulled out the wire wheel to buff the rust of so I can paint it. So please do this hard working Chicago employee a favor and put all four photos on the site. With a big thank you to Vinny. He checks your site all the time to see us winter swimming
Amanda Hunt, Lake Monster #26, is on her way to the Golden State this weekend to swim the Catalina Channel. Her epic journey begins Monday evening, and we’re all just thrilled to bits that we have such an amazing athlete in our midst. Go Amanda!!!
This is totally unrelated to OWC (other than it allows me to bring more rum-covered pineapples out to L1). But as of 12:45pm today, I am officially debt-free. No more student loans (woo hoo!!!).
Last year we celebrated the end of summer by being in the lake just before 10:09pm – the moment the autumnal equinox arrived. We’re looking to do another summer/fall bridge swim for 2011. It will be this Friday, Sept 23, at 4:00am (summer officially ends at 4:05am CST). Dave, Danny, and Amanda are in. Nick is a possibility as well as yours truly if I can get a ride from Evanston (help!). Any other takers?!?
Dave had brought out his extra tanks last Saturday morning, so he and Daphne decided to do some underwater exploration of “the pool.” So here’s a series of snapshots that Dave and I took as well as an accompanying video compilation of Daphne’s scuba adventure!
Gearing up
Posing for the camera!
Another sighting of the elusive Great Lakes Mermaid…
Daphne with her newly discovered Lake Michigan artifact!
Diver Dave just left me a message that he found what looks to be a wedding band just about 3 feet off the side of Ladder 1. So if you think this might be yours (and you wish to once again earn the goodwill of your spouse), send us a quick note with the description of it.
Kudos to Dave’s niece Jelly (a.k.a. Lake Monster #59) for braving the tempestuous lake and making her first ever landing at Oak Street Beach at age 10. Per Dave:
THE WATER WAS 75 DEGREES BUT THE 6 INCH TO 12 INCH CHOP KEPT BUILDING UNTIL SHE WAS SWIMMING IN 3 TO 4 FOOT TALL CHOPPY WAVES AT THE 1/4 MILE MARK.
Great job, Jelly!
ADDENDUM: Because of this monumental feat, Jelly is now part of the “Super Elite Ladder #1 Mermaid” division along with, Stephanie Carona, who Dave also taught to swim the 1/2 mile at age 8!
