In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae (May 3, 1915)

Saw your oct 16 post. Check out my swim conditions. 86 air temp. 80 water temp. 1 foot swells. water visability forever.My daughter and me in Maui.

Happy 4th!

Ladder 1 – Trailer from Dan Mott on Vimeo.

from: ctrcarter@comcast.net
to: srhernan@gmail.com
date: Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 4:10 PM
subject: Joining you for a swim

Hi Steve:

I wanted to introduce myself, I’m Carol Carter, because hopefully I can join you for a swim at L1. I have been following your site since the new year. I have been pool swimming for quite some time now and want to venture into the lake. I plan on swimming in July for Swim Across America and hopeful in SF in October for a swim. Big dreams for someone you has never open water swam before. I could use your advice, I’m getting a wetsuit a Blue Seventy is what they carried at the swim shop by me, also, a cap and socks. Is there anything else that I may need for the cold. I was hopeing it would be warmer but I’m getting itchy to see if I can manage the lake. I’m getting tired of the the pool and want a new challenge. I missed your session on swimming for a triathlon, and how to use the cold to your advantage or something like that. I live in the far southwestern suburbs and want to be able to join you on the first week in April. I’m going to stay with a few who lives by the zoo so I can join you early. I’m glad you are a lifeguard, so hopefully I won’t need your services. But I’m afraid of the cold since I’m use to a pool and need to get over that fear. Also, I’m training for a Triathlon in June in Naperville if I can learn how to run by then, I may be walking it if need be. Any advice you can offer would be much appreciate.

Thanks,

Carol

Of course I can help! We all can. And we’d be delighted to have you join us out in the lake – just come on out!

And she did…

• Carol, on March 31st, 2009 at 4:24 pm Said: Edit Comment

Hi Steve:
I ‘m sorry to admit it, but I will not be joining you on Saturday for my first swim. I’m to chicken, its just to cold and after seeing those waves from last week, it has really scared me, but I will be there in 3 weeks. I ordered the thermal shirt and need to get all my other items. Thanks for all your tips.

• srhernan, on April 1st, 2009 at 10:02 am Said: Edit Comment

  Hi Carol! Thanks for the reminder – I need to get a new thermal shirt as well. Just come on out whenever you can!

• diver dave, on April 1st, 2009 at 12:02 pm Said: Edit Comment

  !!! that is not a sea gull in the photo… it was me surfing the waves off ladder one and catching some air off a killer wave ! ! !
  Caorl
  in 3 weeks the water will be 70-75 degrees and there will be no need for wetsuits or thermal shirts. so you might as well cancel your order.

• Carol, on April 17th, 2009 at 12:50 pm Said: Edit Comment

  Oh Dave, to late, I brought all my gear and will see you tomorrow bright and early. You guys are going to have to swim a little slower, so I can keep up!

• diver dave, on April 17th, 2009 at 4:26 pm Said: Edit Comment

  Hi Carol
  it is easy to tell Chris and me apart because Chris loves to wear his lime green bikini and thigh high red leather 6 inch heeled boots. Chris says they not only keep him warm but the also make his legs look long and sexy….. he refuse to buy water proof make up so he looks like a racoon when the water hits his mascara and eye shadow.
  i just wear basis black because it is slimming and with all of this brown fat i am carrying i need all the help i can get….. ha ha ha….
  i hope to see you there diver dave

• Carol, on April 17th, 2009 at 5:02 pm Said: Edit Comment

  I will be there, don’t leave without me since I have never done this before and I need alot of help!

• srhernan, on April 17th, 2009 at 6:04 pm Said: Edit Comment

  I’m out of town tomorrow (bummer!) so take lots of pics. I might make it out Sunday morning. though. Have a blast!

• Carol, on April 19th, 2009 at 10:38 am Said: Edit Comment

It was fantastic! I can’t wait to do it again. I think I’m going to be hooked. I have a ton of pictures, my girlfriend took amazing shots!!!

• srhernan, on April 20th, 2009 at 8:32 am Said: Edit Comment

  Send us those shots, and keep coming out – it’s only going to get better as summer sets in!

And it did…

And it was wonderful…