7 p.m. gentle swim

I'm taking things gently these days in the water. Surgery in a few weeks. Wearing my fins and enjoying the water itself, the buoyancy that I love, and the absence of stress in the experience.

What was it? "The journey, not the destination."

I'm working on that.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Harbor Beach 6 p.m. Wed. Crowded

Lots of people in the water and more on the sand this afternoon in Oceanside. Great weather. Warm water at 60 degrees. 

Lifeguards busy as the water was rough. Five footers crashing in every ten seconds or so head on, no shape for surfing. 

I wore a wet suit but didn't need it. Used the fins as usual these days as I went out to inside of the big waves. There was a strong current.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

I wouldn't call it swimming, but...

After weeks away from the beach, getting into the backyard pool only several times, I finally got my broken back into the water. Much warmer since my last visit. The day was gorgeous, as is usual here.

Lots of people enjoying summer weather. with the family. Rare for me to visit when the public is there also. Missing the winter cold quietude.

I can't swim. Put the fins on and lazily kicked around gently for 20 minutes or so. The waves were close together and rough. The photos never convey how rough 4-foot waves can be. Poor shape for surfing.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Oceanside Harbor Too Rough Tonight For Me

I went down to the Harbor beach tonight to get in--it's been weeks for me. The news has been talking about warnings for the surf but they always exaggerate everything.

The report I saw last was 4-5 footers with 7 foot sets. After parking and walking thirty yards to the sand, I saw that the warnings were true this time. 

A couple of people in the close surf but they probably shouldn't have been. I'll post some photos from 6:30 p.m., Monday.

The waves were coming in on top of one another, tons of white water moving all sorts of directions. I had to use the excuse that it was 'too dangerous' for me.

The Lifeguards were keeping people out of the water and closing up shop at 6:30 pm. To get into the beach tonight would be tempting fate.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Oceanside, CA Sunday Before Sunset

I felt good yesterday, Sunday, just before sunset, when I got wet. BEFORE I got in. Felt so good that I spoke to the lifeguard and told him not to worry--"I'm gonna swim out past the waves, then across, and get out on the other side of the rocks. I have my lifejacket."

Maybe a couple hundred people enjoying the day, many young families. I enjoy seeing the young parents with toddlers and babies in diapers. I'm going to add below an old poem I wrote years back, when I was remembering myself with a toddler at the beach.

                                    Boy Toddler

 

Summer day at a family beach

Toddlers tumbling in tiny water

Landing safely on padded bottoms

Young parents laughing

“You want a pick-up?” Mom asks

“Pick up,” he replies

He’s reaching back down in a minute

Trying out his unsteady legs again

Sand in his hands

Two fistfuls of sand disappear

Over again he grabs for more

But where did it go?

Lifting two hands up over his head

“Oh my goodness, where is it?”

Relish these ephemeral moments

They live in our hearts.

-------

The water was warm and cloudy, no surfable size to the 2-foot waves. So, I go out to the end of the waves and my lungs decide they don't want to do their job. My diaphragm problem. Can't get much of a breath in and out, discomfort in the low neck area. Dammit.

I hang out for a few minutes and ease back to the sand, feeling quite embarrassed as I pass in front of the lifeguard tower. They must have been thinking, 'Sure, buddy, you're going out and around the rocks...."

Just getting the awakening chill of salt water was fine, though, for me. We try...

Two weeks to doctor appointment to ask about my diaphragm muscle. Stay safe.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."