Evanston, September 20
The Lake continues to be warm thanks to prevailing easterly winds. But the winds themselves present a problem. I have been monitoring them carefully and had reason to believe that this morning would not be too bad. Joe and Jody agreed to come and I suggested Evanston as Jody, in particular, enjoys that much more. I was also interested in how warm Evanston would be. I meant to check weather.gov to get an accurate reading of the winds over the Lake before we decided on Evanston vs Ohio street but the wind was completely calm at home that I didn't think this would be necessary.
Parking was a problem due to nearby road construction and while we were looking for a place to park the Lake did not look too fierce. But we did notice in the trees that it was quite windy here in Evanston. The water felt warm, but it was only 66-67 according to my thermometer. The water probably felt warmer because it was about 7 degrees warmer than the air. It was not until we actually got in the water up to our faces that we realized the extent of the wind and the size of the waves at eye level. We decided to try to get to the wall anyway with a reconnoiter midway. A big problem with waves is visibility of nearby objects in the water, eg. each other, is difficult. Thus we were actually about 2/3 of the way to the wall when we all got close enough to communicate. We decided unanimously to turn around. But again we were either bumping into each other or completely unable to locate each other. We had to trust that we would all get back safely. Jody and I, in particular, were comfortable with our own swimming but concerned about the others. Finally near our destination Jody and I found each other, but Joe appeared completely gone. It was not until I got to a shallow sandbar that I could get over the waves enough to see Joe's unique stroke way out in the Lake and seemingly headed way past the beach. But I have become familiar enough with Joe's style to trust that he would turn at the last minute and come home, which he did. So we are all safe to swim another day.
Both Joe and Jody have experience swimming in the San Francisco bay, and I have been in various oceans, but we again agreed that Lake Michigan presents particular difficulties because of the shorter wavelengths and more chop. But, on dry land we agreed that this was more fun than a swim in a pool, or even Ohio Street.
Parking was a problem due to nearby road construction and while we were looking for a place to park the Lake did not look too fierce. But we did notice in the trees that it was quite windy here in Evanston. The water felt warm, but it was only 66-67 according to my thermometer. The water probably felt warmer because it was about 7 degrees warmer than the air. It was not until we actually got in the water up to our faces that we realized the extent of the wind and the size of the waves at eye level. We decided to try to get to the wall anyway with a reconnoiter midway. A big problem with waves is visibility of nearby objects in the water, eg. each other, is difficult. Thus we were actually about 2/3 of the way to the wall when we all got close enough to communicate. We decided unanimously to turn around. But again we were either bumping into each other or completely unable to locate each other. We had to trust that we would all get back safely. Jody and I, in particular, were comfortable with our own swimming but concerned about the others. Finally near our destination Jody and I found each other, but Joe appeared completely gone. It was not until I got to a shallow sandbar that I could get over the waves enough to see Joe's unique stroke way out in the Lake and seemingly headed way past the beach. But I have become familiar enough with Joe's style to trust that he would turn at the last minute and come home, which he did. So we are all safe to swim another day.
Both Joe and Jody have experience swimming in the San Francisco bay, and I have been in various oceans, but we again agreed that Lake Michigan presents particular difficulties because of the shorter wavelengths and more chop. But, on dry land we agreed that this was more fun than a swim in a pool, or even Ohio Street.
posted by Barry at 12:57 PM
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