I was totally planning on not swimming today but this great weather continues and tomorrow is supposed to get cooler and Friday might have strong winds all day and the swell situation could get big this weekend so I just could not skip the opportunity for pristine summer conditions.

I left at about 11:15 to perfectly clear skies. I had been eyeing the web cams to see if I could make out the water color. If it’s ice coffee, then maybe I should give San Clemente a try. Well it’s sort of hard to tell but things look ok and blue enough.

I get to the Strand parking lot and things look about the same as they have all week: light wind, relatively smooth surface and very warm air temperature.

When I get down to the beach, the inshore water looks very seaweedy. The big question is how will the water look past the surfline. I did see a little brown coming down the stairs but not as pronounced as yesterday.

I swim out past the surf and it is definitely murky and somewhat brown but I can at least make out my hands today. It’s definitely an improvement over yesterday.

Water temperature feels about the same: a bit cool but improving over the hour of the swim. It’s hard to know if that is me or the water that is getting warmer.

I swim south. Lots of Pelicans over the water today. I just love the Pelicans.

It’s a beautiful day and I definitely notice the afternoon light here. It has a bit more of a haze and glare than the clean and crisp morning light has. The water is getting a bit more active as well and so the light bounces with the bounce of the water.

For the first time in a good while, the current seems to be moving north today. The northbound swim feels quick and I can see the wakes moving steadily from the south. This makes sense since wind direction is supposed to shift from the south today. We have had a consistent on shore flow for the past couple weeks which is the main reason why we lost our 70 degree water. This southern flow which is forecasted for at least the next several days should remedy that.

When I get to my northern and final turnaround point, the exertion level takes a sharp increase as I now swim into the wind. Still it is great. I see a row of Pelicans hovering just above the water and for some reason I decide to count the houses on the bluff as I pass them. I lose count at about 14 just a few before my landmark house where I head to shore.

It was at house 13 or 14 where I stopped and noticed a rapidly oncoming fog bank from the southwest. By the time I reached the shore it was really gaining ground (or water I guess) and you could see it stretching northward into Salt Creek territory.

By the time I reach the top of the stairs, we are completely shrouded in fog and Summer is over.