A Fine Point
The time changed today and we have sprung forward an hour. So when I get to the Strand parking lot at about 6:40, it is still dark. It is also quite cold - about 42 degrees according to my phone. I start with a run and I usually always run with only a T-shirt even in the cold (SoCal cold) but not today. I kept on an extra overshirt and did not take it off until near the end of the run coming up Cove Road.
It was a lovely 7 mile run through the harbor and then over the Headlands trail where I could oh so clearly see both Monarch Point and the next point just north of Three Arch before 1000 steps in Laguna. May those steps rest in peace. They were destroyed just a few weeks ago in a land slide.
When I get back to my truck and prepare for the swim, the usual Sunday swim crew are already back from their outing and I can hear them talking near their cars. The topic of conversation is the water temperature. Apparently it was quite cold, which means of course that it is still quite cold. Nothing is changing here any time soon. Well this doesn’t really freak me out because I already know it is going to be a short swim. I am running behind schedule and can only afford about 30-40 minutes in the water. In that limited time, give me what you got ocean! I can handle it.
I was considering just going home but I am here now and it is an absolutely beautiful morning and the water looks smooth. I mean…it looks warm. I have to at least get in the water. Besides rain is coming again on Tuesday and the window of opportunity is closing.
When I get to the beach, the tide looks high. It’s only in the high 4’s but the water comes pretty close to the rocks at the bottom of the bluff. The water feels unarguably cold. The sun still has not breached the bluff right here and it is dim here in the shade.
I begin to walk out into the water. I’m doing it now! Just a few strides in and a flock of pelicans come flying right by me and close. Wow. The trip down here was totally worth it if only just for that! As I walk out into the surf, I can feel myself pass the shade line. I love the sun’s warmth that I feel above the water but below it is a different story. I start to swim and the cold is something else. Oddly it does feel colder than my last swim on Wednesday but my body does not feel quite so affected as it did Wednesday. I don’t feel like I get the wind sucked out of me today.
I decide to swim north and probably not much farther than the lifeguard tower. I know that will make it a shorter swim but also give me the chance to swim past the point for the first time since probably November and maybe October. It is so beautiful and so cold. I query my skin for the presence and the tone and the timbre of this cold. I feel my chest, shoulders and upper arms buzzing.
After swimming for a little bit, I pause to look around. I see the lifeguard tower and bathrooms not too far to the north and I can see Dana Point to the south. I see a fine mist hovering against the bright golden sand and the miniature crests of waves curling in the southern distance.
A little further north and I see a Pelican sitting on the water just about 30 feet offshore from me. I want to get closer but I do not want to disturb it. I use a breast stroke to ease forward but eventually it flies away. I feel kind of guilty for that but what a magnificent bird. I wish we could be friends and maybe snuggle for a little bit. I just don’t think that is meant to be - for multiple reasons.
This could possibly be some of the coldest water I have swam in. It is certainly the coldest this season. I never quite get to the happy warm place but I do arrive somewhere very tolerable. I feel great right now. It is so amazing to be out here.
Soon I cross the point and now I am getting close to the Salt Creek surf pack. I am fairly close to them. The surf is relatively small and I’m not too concerned about the waves. I finally get to a the point just between the Ritz and the snack shop and I decide it is time to turn around. I take a final look out towards Monarch and Three Arch. What a fine point! It looks like I could reach out and touch it.
I turn around into the glare of the rising sun. The water here is not exactly crystal clear but I can see well enough. Compared to Doheny and Capo, my hands and arms look incredibly detailed below the surface. I can see plenty of kelp dancing below me and eventually I see a sandy ocean bottom.
The houses on the bluff are just silhouettes but I make out my landmark house when the time comes. Just before the final swim to shore, I see a Seal pop its head up about 15 feet away from me. Eventually it goes below and I look underneath for him but don’t see him. He’s gone and I go too.
I run from the water to my backpack and walk up the stairs as fast as I can. I bravely endure the shower and head home. 35 minutes in the water. I kind of feel like that was the perfect amount of time for today.
