Evanston, July 4

Ever since I have been swimming in the Lake it is mandatory to swim on the 4th of July. So we would go today rain or shine. It was not actually either, but more towards the rainy side. The wind had been blowing from the southwest but had calmed down. As is typical when the wind is blowing out there was an absence of waves near shore but a gentle swell and some surface chop. The water was a comfortable 68 near the surface but colder below. Not bad, it seemed on the way out, and we got to the wall with surprisingly little effort. But on the way back it became evident why. The southwest wind had set up a current going north. Without incoming waves it was not hard to swim, but we did not make quick progress and the homeward swim took about twice as long as the outbound. Adding to this is the new addition of "das Boot" which apparently makes its rounds around 9AM with a bullhorn informing any swimmers that the "water is closed". A woman swimming asked us "what means in English water closed?" Our answer: "we are native english speakers and we have no clue either." At 10:15 the briefcase made her rounds early, clearing the beach of all non-paying patrons, which was everyone, so they wouldn't have to work. I pointed out that I had a right to stay until 10:30 and she conceded so I made sure that I stayed every second. I was rewarded with 30 seconds of sun.