The water was quite turbulent at 7:00am, and the swim looked like a probable bust. After some lengthy observation and deliberation, Mike decided to give it a shot. Nick and Amanda soon followed, leaving me to succumb to peer pressure once again.
The lake temperature was quite tolerable at an estimated 61F. I couldn’t get an exact reading as the heavy waves had slammed my thermometer against L1 and shattered it (so now I’m out another $3.95). The waves, however, were pretty arduous to say the least. I’d estimate they were cresting at around 8-10 feet.
We kept about 50 feet from the wall so as not to get caught in the ricochet area. We also opted to avoid the beach as the swells hitting that area were quite overpowering. I turned back about 3/4 of the way to the beach and ended up with a shorter – but definitely more intense – workout. And just like last week, it was much more comfortable in the water than outside!
L1 tsunami
As you can see, getting out is the challenge
And you have to time the swells just right
Finally, the sun peeks through
Amanda’s video of some of our tomfoolery
Hi Richard! Come on out any time. I love the swimming here, but I’m slowly working my way up the eastern MI coast. I think this summer the Traverse City area is on my radar. Any recommendations on swimming spots?
Looks like you all have lots of fun. I swim out at Brighton Beach in Brooklyn up to last Sunday, where the water temp was 48 degrees and air about the same. I love those waves.
I’m from Michigan, my dad lives in Wisconsin, and I have a special place in my heart for Chicago. Next time I’m in Chicago I’d love to swim with you all!
I didn’t even manage to get myself out of the house on 10/2 it was so cold and periodically rainy and extremely windy. I just looked down on the pounding surf and keep drinking lattes. I’m glad someone had the strength to do it!
I WAS USING WATER COLOR PAINTS AND FORGOT TO BRING MY SCUBA EQUIPTMENT SO I WOULDN’T HAVE TO HOLD MT BREATH TO PAINT UNDER WATER ! I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT UNBOLTING IT AND PULLING IT OUT OF THE WATER INORDER TO DRY IT OUT-REMOVE THE RUST AND MOSS THEN REPAINT IT TOP TO BOTTOM. I WOULD NEED 2 OR 3 HELPERS AND SOME VERY NICE WEATHER INORDER TO PULL IT OFF.
The ladder looks fabulous, though I was thinking the same thing about the bottom half after seeing these photos!
I THOUGHT YOU SAID IT WAS WAVY ? HELL THAT BARELY A RIPPLE ON THE WATER OR YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN SURFER JACK AND JELLY RIDING THEIR SURFBOARDS ! WHY DIDN’T THE PARK DISTRICT PAINT THE BOTTOM OF LADDER #1 / DON’T THEY HAVE AN UNDER WATER PAINTER ?
THE LAST PHOTO LOOKS LIKE IT WAS TAKEN 12 YEARS AGO WHEN THE WATER LEVEL WAS AS HIGH AS THE WALL ! ! ! NICE ACTION SHOTS STEVE, THAT NEW CAMERA IS REALLY PAYING OFF NICELY. WERE YOU ABLE TO FIND LADDER # I TODAY OR WASN’T IT BRIGHT ENOUGH FOR YOU ?