Dave and I met out at Tower Beach this morning for my first sub-40F swim of the year. The lake temp came in at a crisp 38F, and the weatherman lied to us about the calm conditions – it was pretty choppy! Nevertheless, we got in a quick swim, and I got to test out my new gloves. Fortunately, they held out this time!
Tower Beach
Dave post-swim
Yours truly with the “winter crate”
This morning’s video:
Five of us met out at the lakefront for our first swim of November. The air temp was a biting 36F, but we had clear skies and no wind – a good sign. We were all expecting the water temperature to come in at around 48F, but instead it produced an amazing 51F.
As with last week, I decided to do only a 1/2 mile. The entry at Oak Street Beach was as bracing as ever, but I had the sun on my right the entire slog back to L1.
None of us dawdled much after getting out of the water. We packed on layers and drank lots of hot beverages while running in place and shaking out our arms and legs in a futile attempt to stave off the afterdrop.
But it was all worth it, as you can see by the pics!
November sunrise
Long shadows
Post-swim
Another bright and clear autumn morning!
Pre-swim video:
We’re still above 50F in the lake, folks! The air temperature, though, was a different story at a rather arctic 35F…
A resilient group of Lake Monsters met out at L1 at around 7:15am – just in time to catch a dazzling sunrise. I want sans wetsuit this time and decided to only do a 1/2 mile from the beach back to L1.
The 50.5F lake was a bit of a shock at first, but I was fine after about two minutes. I did cheat a little with some petroleum jelly slathered rather liberally on my neck and torso, but it most certainly did take the edge off of the cold during the swim.
After the swim, there was the predictable afterdrop which creeped in after about 10 minutes. But I had some strong coffee – and some intense sunshine – that managed to keep that beast at bay for the most part.
Hope to see more of you out at the lake soon!
Fall colors
Sunrise!
Lake Monsters pre-swim
Mike and Jane, Lake Monsters 281 and 282 (way to go!)
Sunrise video!
Indian Summer was fun while it lasted…
It sure felt like a true fall morning out at L1 with the overcast skies and the 46F air temperature. Indeed, we all were a bit lethargic at the start – and quite reluctant to leave the comfort of our sweaters and parkas. But we somehow managed to muster enough courage to get in the 56F lake. And once we did, we were glad we took the plunge.
The lake was mirror flat and amazingly clear. So it was easy to get a decent swim rhythm going without having to burn excess energy fighting off swells or chops. And while the sun stayed behind the cloud bank the entire time we were in the water, it did come out in full force later on.
Just in time to help take the edge off of the afterdrop!
Chilly skyline
Taking the plunge
The sun finally comes out – after the swim, of course!
Gary, Lake Monster 280 (congrats!)
Self-portrait in the “aquarium”
One last look back!
Pre-swim video
Once again, we beat the storms!
Ma Nature gave us a crisp and choppy lake at 7:00am, so things were a bit slow going at first since it was almost impossible to get a decent swim rhythm. But she made up for her fickleness with yet another amazing sunrise which provided the perfect backdrop to our journey to Oak Street Beach.
All in all, there were around 15 of us who made it out to L1 – including new Lake Monsters John, Mandie, and Maryvonne. Below are some pics from the swim. More are coming, so be sure the check back again!
Skyline at daybreak
Lake Monsters!
L1 at sunrise
Catching the show
Time to get in!
John, Lake Monster 277 (congrats!)
Mandie, Lake Monster 278 (congrats!)
Maryvonne, Lake Monster 279, hailing all the way from France (congrats!)
Sunrise video:
In an eerie coincidence, the lake temperature once again came in at a reading of 66.6F – identical to that from last Saturday. However, we had none of the frustrating chops, and only a very slight swell. So, buoyed by the unexpectedly high water temperature reading – not to mention the astonishingly perfect sunny skies and 71F air temperature – the whole group of us eagerly jumped into the lake.
By the time we all hit Oak Street Beach, the sun was blazing in full glory, making the return swim even more spectacular. After getting back to the beacon-like L1, a few of us hung around for a while and chatted. The storms were not forecasted until later in the afternoon, so we all took full advantage of the perfect weather while it lasted.
All in all, Ma Nature decided to give us a bonus summer day out at the lake. So I hope you at least got out there to enjoy it!
Daybreak
Sunrise
Back at L1
One more quick dip!
Robert, Lake Monster 275 (congrats!)
Jenna, Lake Monster 276 (congrats!)
Before the swim
Midway in our lake’s journey, we went astray
from the straight path to Oak Street Beach,
and found ourselves alone in the dark waters.
Indeed, the ceaseless winds, capricious swells,
and oppressive chops could scarcely be more bitter
to the five seraphic Lake Monsters.
But at the far end of that channel of agony,
whose maze had sapped our very hearts with fear,
the sweet rays of the planet strengthened us against the fright.
And just as the swimmers we are, with our last breath
we floundered ashore from the perilous sea,
turning to memorize the wide water of our redemption.
Dark Lake of Worldliness
The First Ledge
The Needle’s Eye
The Ascent
“Mary proceeded to the hills in haste.”
The Wall of Fire
The Earthly Paradise
The Base of the Cliff
The tradition continues! A group of us met out by L1 just before 3:44pm to get in one last swim of Summer 2013 – and be the first in the water for Autumn 2013! The lake temp came in at 68F, and we all got in just before the passing of the season. Happy Autumn!
Pre-swim
Enjoying the last few moments of summer
Just like that…it’s autumn
Post-swim in a new season
Video and equinox countdown
The last “official” meetup of Summer 2013!
Despite a very crisp 53F air temperature, the lake came in at a scorching 68F! Nevertheless, Ma Nature wasn’t willing to give up summer without a fight…
There was a pesky cloud bank hugging the horizon to the east, so we decided to get in before the sun made its official appearance. We got to the 1/4 mile mark when the Grand Show finally took place – and was it ever spectacular! I snapped a few pics of the sunrise in the tumultuous water and headed south through the slog.
The waves at the beach were breaking pretty hard, but that just presented us with an opportunity to test out our bodysurfing skills. This was a much needed break, since the swim back to L1 – especially the first 100 meters – was a real bear! But we all made it back and secured bragging rights for the weekend!
Everybody in the pool!
Race to the beach
Sunrise shot at water level
The author taking a breather to do a “selfie”
The Moon!
Oak Street Beach
Enjoying the waves
Back at L1
Carrie, Lake Monster 271 (congrats!)
Tim, Lake Monster 272 (congrats!)
Jim, Lake Monster 273 (congrats!)
Noreen, Lake Monster 274 (congrats!)
This morning’s video!
I actually prefer these crisper mornings to the warmer ones. There is little to no haze in the air, so you tend to get some very clear and spectacular sunrises – which is precisely what we got this morning!
When I arrived at L1, there was already a small group huddled together in the 52F air temp. Several more people joined us shortly thereafter – just in time for Mr. Sol’s grand entrance.
After a fair amount of socializing/procrastinating, we all got in the lovely 70F lake and swam south to the beach, where we pretty much repeated the process before turning back. We had a slight swell to contend with, but it was more of a novelty than a nuisance since the lake temperature was so pleasant.
So enough words…I’ll just let the images speak for themselves!
Sunrise close up
Dawn swimmers
Pool party!
Danny, Marton, and Patrick
Lake Monster class picture at the beach
Mark, Lake Monster 266 (congrats!)
Kay, Lake Monster 267 (congrats!)
Nanna, Lake Monster 268 (congrats!)
Patrick, Lake Monster 269 (congrats!)
Red, Lake Monster 270 (congrats!)
Today’s video compilation:
