The Kingdom of Heaven Has Come

Yet another swim that does not disappoint. Hmm…trying to remember a swim that did. I’ll have to get back to you later on that.

I was really on the fence as to whether to swim or not today. I want to but I have a ton of things to get done and I know that a swim and photo editing and blog entry will carve out more time than I’d like. I woke up late as it was because I was up late last night watching my son. So I go about my morning walking the dog, cleaning my kitchen and eventually I have to make a decision.

I decide to swim. The conditions are perfect and it’s a Sunday and rain is forecasted for next weekend (which likely means nothing this far out) so lets take advantage on this beautiful day. By 11:45 when I leave, the sun has gained victory over the morning haze, it feels warmer than previous days and there is very little wind.

The parking lot is more full than I have seen in a while. There are no spaces available in the block of spaces I usually park in. I still find a good spot. The ocean surface looks smooth and there is a bank of haze or fog off in the distance but I’m not really concerned about it. I don’t know, something about this day that just gives me the sense that conditions couldn’t possibly sour.

When I get to the beach, it feels and looks like a summer afternoon especially given the number of people gathered here. It’s not too crowded and there is a good vibe here of people enjoying themselves. This feeling intensifies when I approach the water line and I see two kids squealing at a seal that is frolicking about in the shallow water just a few feet in front of them. The seal is so cute. I pass the kids and the seal seems to be following me. I take a couple pictures and I swear it is posing. It is so delightful.

When I get into the water, I dodge the few rocks right at the water’s edge and then walk the several yards in shin deep water to the surf. Today I plan to swim north for a change. I usually do not swim north in colder water because it is out and back and once I am out there is no way to shorten the course if the cold gets to be too much. However, I really have felt fine - more than fine - the last couple swims and given yesterday and today’s conditions, there is no way the water could be colder. Also, it’s after noon.

I take the plunge in this small surf and start to swim. It’s cold but lacks the sting of the last couple swims. As I approach Salt Creek, I must say that this all feels splendidly wonderful. Spring has sprung. A couple days late but it’s here now. This is all so good.

When I reach the point, I am just a few feet from the surf pack. There is good surf right here. It’s not big by any means but it’s clean and ridable. Ok the water is definitely warmer than yesterday. The buoy data did look like it came up a degree when I checked this morning. The wind shifted yesterday from north to south which is the equivalent of turning up the hot water faucet. The water is not hot and many would consider this too cold. I’m the only one here without a wetsuit, but as far as I am concerned, the kingdom of heaven has come.

I linger a few minutes in the surf lineup and watch as a few surfers take off. The Ritz Carlton looms large above us and the lawn above the Salt Creek snack shop dominates a bright green glow in the distance. Monarch point is looking good too. Everything is looking good. This water brings out our best face. We are all beautiful here.

I proceed north. I watch the horizon with every breath and I breathe in the light glowing just between the water’s surface and the infinity of the sky. It’s good stuff. It fills my lungs and warms my skin and permeates everywhere in between. Below me are fury tentacles of kelp dancing all about and brushing against my skin as if they warmly acknowledge my presence. I can see an obscured and out of focus glimmer of golden sand further below.

I keep my eye out for the Monarch Beach Club to maintain my desired trajectory. It gets closer and closer. My destination is the northernmost Salt Creek restrooms and twin sand pits of the local golf course. If the water was warmer I might go as far as the beach club but it’s not. There are a couple patches where I feel the water get colder and I wonder if this was all a good idea but then it warms before I can barely finish the thought.

Well here I am at my turnaround spot. I pull out my camera and fog is accumulating inside the housing. Very annoying. It’s been doing this occasionally and I wonder if I need to buy a new housing. It’s only 10 bucks. It is amazing the wonders that good photo editing software can do to correct this but it’s still not quite the same. I remove the camera from the housing to get a few fog-free pictures and I’m trying to be super careful because if I drop the camera, it’s the end for the poor camera. It’s water proof but I’m not sure I could dive deep enough and find it.

I turn around and now I have the beach to look at all the way home. I love this. What a spectacular day this is. It feels like I make my way back to the surf pack in no time and the remainder of the swim from the point back to shore goes by quickly as well.

As I swim to shore, I swim until I see waves breaking and I can feel the sand brush my fingertips. I stand up in thigh deep water and walk what feels like a good way to dry sand. Lots of people on the beach - noticeably more than when I started. I grab my pack of warm clothes that I have absolutely no need for and head back up the stairs with the concrete wonderfully hot beneath my feet.