Summer's Arrival

For many, summer begins with the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May.

For those with children, summer arrives on the the last day of school.

Others will count the July 4th celebration as their start even though the calendar tells us it is June 21st.

In our house this year, summer arrived today, on June 11th.

It usually arrives for us much earlier - sometime in May, but it got off to a later start this season.

Perhaps it was the extra cold winter that lingered longer in the bones, or perhaps just another year older all together.

We thought maybe yesterday would be the day, but I'm glad we waited for today.

It was perfect.

We had the sun, the wind a little stronger than we would have liked, and just a few other people around.

But we got right in with no problems and had our first swim at the lake for this season.

Let the Summer Begin!

Serene Swim

The days are getting shorter as the sun sets earlier and earlier each evening.

The swim area at the lake is now closed for the season - there was hardly anyone in it the last couple of weeks anyway.

The cooler nights have made the water too cold for most folks.

But not us.

We are still down there everyday - parking outside the gate and walking down to the beach.

I will admit, that lake water is a bit chilly at first, but once we get ourselves motivating along the swim lines, we are just fine.

In fact, the air is colder than the water when we finally drag ourselves out of it.

And yesterday was one of the best days this past season that we have had for swimming.

The water was pure glass - we were gliding through it slowly - taking care not to create splashes that would disturb that serene surface.

It was beautiful - and the late afternoon light added to the mood perfectly.

As we were drying beside the water's edge, just before we left, Mother Nature gave us a wonderful gift.

According to my phone, it was exactly 5:40, and that must have been when the underwater dinner bell was rung.

All over the surface of the lake, little mouths were popping up and catching the floating bugs for their dinner.

It was quite the site, and to think we almost left directly after the swim due to the chilly air.

Our lake has given us many gifts through the years, and I can see she still has a few surprises left for us.

Swimming the Lines

It has taken about a month of steady swimming - just about everyday, but we have finally accomplished it.


We are back to swimming the entire lines of the swim area at the lake.


The water has been on the warm side lately, so getting in and getting down to business is very easy.


The days with no wind make the swimming very smooth and almost effortless as we glide through the water.


The windy days are a struggle to get to the other end with our faces being swamped and smacked by the oncoming waves.


The way back on those days though is a breeze with the wind pushing us along.


Late afternoon is still the best time for us, and sometimes we are even lucky enough to have the whole lake to ourselves.


That would be when the chance of rain is high.


We figure we are going to be wet anyway, so as long as there is no thunder and lightening, the swim is still on.


We love this type of exercise - just wish it was a year round thing!

In the Lake

It has began again.


Another season for swimming at the lake.


Today was the first day we went in, and it was gorgeous!


The lake temp was 63 degrees, and the air temp was 83 degrees.


A bit warm for this early in the season for both the water and air.


But it only took a couple of minutes to get in it, and we enjoyed it for about 20 minutes.


For the first time ever, I was not winded.


My arms had plenty of strength, and my shoulders had a great range of motion.


In the past they have held me back, and there have been some seasons where the shoulder pain would only allow certain strokes for a short period of time.


No sign of any problems today - I think all the yoga and lifting the weights has paid off.


And it really feels good!!