Category Archives: Uncategorized

Today I added a Salish Sea swim under my belt, or in my case hat—a new feather: February. Hoping for companionship and someone else to motivate me to step into the chilly head of Fletcher Bay, I reached out to my neighbor, Dave. He apologized but had just completed a swim at the north endContinue reading “February 6, 2021”

My first dip in the pre-Salish Sea. Since all water runs downhill, I find myself able to justify including this swim here, within the folds of this blog where float my many musings on open water swimming. Though technically not the Salish Sea, I figure eventually this water will make its way to the ocean,Continue reading “January 31, 2021”

I considered giving up winter open water swimming today. The only thing keeping me from throwing in the towel was the jovial companionship of my friend, Dave, and my own inner voice reminding me over and over again that swimming would help. Probably. It always does. I always feel better after I swim. It hadContinue reading “January 29, 2021”

A few days ago I enjoyed the company of a few young children to the beach for a fresh air break during a late afternoon art program where I teach on occasion. The cool winter sun was perfect, drawing out the incredible colors all around us, lifting our spirits and our voices to match theContinue reading “January 25, 2021”

Salty. This slowly emerged as my nickname, between me and my sis, over time and happenings. It quite suits me now—and did even before I took up open water swimming. Years ago my sister ran into an old acquaintance from high school. As they chatted, my name came up in the conversation. My sister laterContinue reading “January 21, 2020”

Swimming in sunshine, summer or winter, is astonishingly beautiful above and below the water. The sun came out today. And it was indeed beautiful everywhere. The hum of life filled the neighborhood, as my neighbor and I strolled to the landing clutching our neon orange swim buoys, a thermos of hot chocolate carefully tucked inContinue reading “January 18, 2021”

Hood Canal. Unspoiled. I think. Yesterday we woke to sunshine. And reports of a massive spill of untreated sewage and drain water in Seattle—11 million gallons—into Puget Sound. Concerned friends sent me texts to alert me, while swim groups online buzzed with reports of the spill and debated when and where the water would beContinue reading “January 15, 2020”

I swam home today. I literally swam all the way to my childhood home today. Dock to dock in freezing pouring rain. I had put this swim off for a very long time. I feared the grief that might overwhelm me, returning to swim here, having endured too much loss from one neighborhood. The ghostsContinue reading “January 11, 2021”

Keep the light on. The orange swim buoy glows bright at one end, a giant floating flashlight, tucked under an arm to exit the water. It gets dark quickly, and there may be rocks to tumble over, and there will certainly be mud. Plenty of mud. The mud will stick to you, coat your bootiesContinue reading “January 7, 2021”

The day started here with a walk. And the day ended here. Watching the final count. And tomorrow I will rise, pass by these signs as I have many a time, clinging to hope for peace and a better day, and a swim like no other. Hard to pull words from an ocean of shockContinue reading “January 6, 2021”