Moody Beach
I had stuff going on both mornings this weekend that prevented me from swimming. However, I almost swam yesterday but not intentionally. I ran to North Beach in San Clemente and back. I ran on the sand from Capo to North Beach which can only be done at low tide. It was about 1.5ish. Usually 3 feet is my cutoff for that run. There is just one small spot just south of the Capo Beach parking lot that can be pretty iffy. Then you are good until the very edge of North Beach and the “mobile mansions” (high end beach front homes built on formerly mobile home pads - a few mobile homes remain). Anyways, that corner ended up being a walk through waist deep breakers with the occasional shoulder high splash. I just barely managed to keep my cell phone dry. The run home was a little soggy.
Below Capo Beach parking lot
Today I leave about 10:15 for the beach. It has been cool out these past couple days. Today is no different but it is pleasant enough. It’s mostly sunny and in the mid 50’s - I really can’t complain. Yet Friday’s 71 degree weather feels like a distant memory that I do wish I could repeat…now.
There is a south breeze blowing that is due to pick up over the next hour. A fair amount of texture lingers on the water but it looks nice.
As I walk on the beach and approach my usual spot, the thought occurs to me that maybe I didn’t lock my car? I’m not sure and I’m not going back up to check. Enjoy the 2005 truck with no air conditioning.
The beach feels a little moody today. As the clouds move beneath the sun, the beach goes back and forth between a bright sunny day and a sort of windy, grey gloom.
The tide is low and as I walk out the floor rises and falls but it is all nice and sandy. There is small to modest surf that is still breaking pretty far from shore. I keep walking out for what feels like quite a ways and then I start swimming.
It doesn’t feel any colder or much colder then Friday as long as you factor out the radiating surface warmth from the sun. We definitely do not have that today. Pity.
I’m definitely fighting the current but it doesn’t seem so bad. It is good to be here. Once again, I was totally dreading this cold water as if today would be the first day ever that it would be a dreadful experience. At the same time, I’ve been feeling super crappy in the head the last couple mornings. I really don’t know why because it’s not like anything has happened. I just feel this darkness pushing in on all sides. I know this swim will make things better. There is something about the cold that just resets everything. It yanks me into the now and I find myself completely absorbed in the direct experience of the water. Illusions and anxieties of what was or what may be disappear and lose their influence over me.
This is exactly what happens. The darkness lifts - forgotten - as each stroke collides with the oncoming current. It’s great.
When I turn around and head north, I can see myself moving with the small wind waves moving parallel to me. There is a bit more chop on the water now than when I started. Every couple minutes I feel a wave or two rush over me which is great for forward momentum and terrible for breathing.
Even without Friday’s heat, I’m feeling pretty good today. Yeah it is noticeably colder but I’m not freaking out or mildly concerned. I keep thinking about those Alki swimmers I was reading about last week. If they can do what they do, I can do this. And when you have confidence you can do it, everything is better.
When I make my final turn, it is into the tempest and I double down my effort. First, it feels like I am going nowhere, then it seems like some progress is made, then it feels like the turbo boosters are on and before you know it, it’s time to come in to shore.
The stormy personality of the beach seems to have gained some dominance since I started, but it is great. I struggle to get my shirt on after drying off. It’s like this every time. Getting the shirt and overshirt on when I am cold and somewhat wet feels like a herculean effort in dexterity. Sometimes it seems like my arms are never going to reach the end of the sleeves. Thankfully they do, otherwise writing this would be very difficult.
I soon walk up the stairs and reach my car. Unlocked. Well the keys are in the lock box so good luck driving this sweet ride out of the parking lot.
