Evanston, August 7

The weather report called for west winds this morning with the wind shifting during the day until there is a full fledged northeaster this evening. We feel safe getting to the beach at 9AM, but the wind is already blowing strongly from the north. The waves are just wind waves so we guess that the swim out might be hard but it should be OK coming back. What we didn't expect was the water temperature: 67. Usually north and northeast winds bring in warmer water so it is not clear whether this cold water was due to the previous west winds or the fact that this rule of thumb does not necessarily hold during this part of the season; we have noticed that before. I brought a light cap and Mike had none but we decided it was not worth it to return to the car for our heavy caps, even though we were able to park at the closest possible parking spot today. Mike was not sure he was up for a full swim anyway. At the halfway point I suggested bagging it and returning but Mike was in one of his stubborn moods so did not answer me, he just put his bare head back in the water and resumed swimming towards the wall. Conditions actually got better from there and when we got in the wave shadow of the wall it became calmer and warmer. Perhaps this is evidence that the wind brought in the cold water. There was lots of garbage caught by the wall. And the woman with the bikini was still standing in exactly the same position as we left her on Saturday with her cell phone, probably the same call. As expected the swim back was quick and easy. We were late back but the guards on duty recognized us and merely inquired as to our opinion of the water temperature. By the end of the swim the water actually felt good so we didn't miss the warm caps at all. This was the clearest water we have seen in quite a while, even with hazy conditions we could see the bottom the whole swim.