Another beautiful day here in Dana Point. Hard to believe it but I’d say it is even a step up from yesterday.

When I left the house a bit after 10:30, it was already 70 degrees. The skies remain cloudless.

When I get to the parking lot, the ocean looks more still than it did yesterday. I take a quick look at the buoy data and the 10:00 checkin measured at 60 degrees! Yesterday was the first day of the season registering 60 from 2 to 5 PM. I think 6 is my new favorite number. Now whether or not it is 60 here at the Strand remains to be seen. This buoy is 20 miles south of here. At least google maps says that I am 20 miles from the Red Beach USMC airport which seems like a good enough ball park figure.

Just before getting out of the car I check the current temperature because who needs the territory when you have a map! Maybe I should just stay here and watch the air and water temps all day long. Anyways it is now 69. Wait! Why is it getting colder? I better get down to the water fast before it starts snowing.

The beach is lovely and just reaching a high tide of 3.9. The water feels pretty darn cold on my feet. I’m pretty sure this is just due to the contrast between the air and water.

When I get to my spot, there is a guy fishing on the shore. I also see the remains of two jelly fish-like creatures that have been appearing on Orange County beaches over the past couple weeks. They are called Velella velella or “by-the-wind-sailors.” I first saw one in Laguna Beach 2 weeks ago. It looked odd and I assumed it was trash. It kind of looked like a rubber heel insole insert except it had a translucent flap on the top. A few days later I read an article that talked about these creatures appearing in the 1000s on beaches. The picture looked just like what I saw.

A few days after that I was on a run along the shore between Capistrano Beach and Poche Beach. There were hundreds and likely thousands scattered on the sand. I’ve only seen a few here at the Strand over the last week.

I get in the water and it is beautiful. It is cold but nothing colder than I am used to.

Once I make my way past the surf, I begin to feel these patches of water that can only be described as warm. I mean WARM! Then BAM! COLD! I’m not one to speak in caps but I feel it is appropriate here.

At times I wonder if I’d prefer just a constant normal cold over these fluctuations. Then I hit a warm spot and I am convinced this is definitely more preferable. Then it’s cold again and…sweet mother of god!

This is very common Spring conditions. You have warm patches in Summer too but the cold is not nearly as bitter. Well if anything else they are summer’s whisper in my ear, “don’t worry Matt, I will be here soon.”

It is so so great out hear. The water is silky smooth and the birds are all over the place. It is immensely peaceful.

I stop in hopes of grabbing a pic of some Pelicans over the water. I’m too late by the time my camera is on and I have wiped off the lenseb ut I am struck by the south facing view - the smooth endless water, the cliffs covered in rocks and scattered green brush and just a sliver of vibrant brown sand at the end of the beach below a shaded cove.

Somewhat toward the end of the swim as I am approaching the bathrooms near Salt Creek, I see this floating translucent apparition about 4 feet below the surface. At first I wonder if it is trash. Maybe a sandwich bag? Then I conclude that it must be a jelly fish of some kind. It is definitely not a Velella velella.

I get to the point where it is time to head in. The water closer to the shore is notably colder.

I make it to my pack and, like yesterday, just grab it and go. I delight in the exposure to this warm sun. I still feel kind of cold but I can feel just a hint of warm wonder on the edge.

I absolutely feel warmth on the bottoms of my feet against the warm concrete. Would it be weird if I lie down and just sort of roll up the stairs? Is that even possible?