Swim #42: Children's Beach, Nantucket

January 17, 2011 --  This is when it became apparent that I am actually out of my mind.  We were in Nantucket for a weekend with our friends Jack and Barb.  If you're in Nantucket and you've got three weeks left to do nine more swims, what do you do?  You have to swim.

Having learned from my Martha's Vineyard experience, I purchased gloves, boots, and cap to go with my wetsuit.  This was all good.  And as I waded into the water, I felt great - not cold at all.  After diving in, though, I could immediately tell that my gloves were not adequately tucked into the wetsuit.  In seconds, my hands were freezing.  I did swim a little bit, but not as far as I would have liked.  The rest of me (even my face, which was unprotected) felt completely fine!

So, I need more practice at this cold-water swimming thing.  But doesn't the water look beautiful?

Swim #41: With the L Street Brownies!

January 1, 2011 -- I had to do it.  How could I not?  I've always wanted to do a New Year's Day plunge, and this was my big chance.  Plus, it was 50 degrees outside in Boston on New Year's Day.

The warm air temperature meant that huge crowds turned out for the Polar Bear Plunge, despite the fact that the water wasn't any warmer than normal.  I waited in line for about an hour with people dressed as penguins and Vikings, then finally made it inside the bathhouse to register and discard my sweats.  Harvey met me on the beach with the camera and my towel.  Posing for a "before" picture was painful -- the sand was wet and icy.

The plunge itself was like nothing I've ever felt -- I can only compare it to diving into a pile of needles.  I dived fully underwater, though, and swam a few strokes before turning around.  The balmy air meant that I felt completely fine when I got out.  A hot shower in the bathhouse, and I actually felt great!

I'd like to do this again next year.  Anyone care to join me?

Swim #40: Green Mountain Inn, Stowe, VT

December 26, 2010 -- In Stowe to spend Christmas with my mother, Brian, and Nick.  After a day of skiing, what could be better than jumping into a heated outdoor pool?  The Green Mountain Inn was our destination.  They had a heated walkway leading to the pool, so one's feet only touch freezing concrete for the last couple of steps.  The steam effect was pretty cool, although the water was so warm it was like swimming in a hot tub.

Swims #36-39: Martha's Vineyard

November 26, 2010 -- Yes, it is the day after Thanksgiving, and I am talking about swimming in the ocean.    Harvey and his brother have come up with a plan that will get me four swims.  That would be great -- but the question is, will I live to tell the tale?

Armed with a borrowed wetsuit, we head to the first spot:  Philbin Beach in Aquinnah.  We spent so many summer days here in years past, and it is a spectacular beach, especially if you love diving in the waves.  I have to say, I took one look at the surf and was terrified.  Waves were crashing all over each other.  Normally I would run right in, dive under and swim beyond the waves.  But normally it's not a chilly, overcast November day.  This was not a long swim, and my terror did not subside - but I did it!

Next stop was Lobsterville Beach, where the water is calm.  This was (relatively) easy to get into, but it is very shallow and you have to walk kind of far before you can swim.  This is when I realized that I should have bought swim shoes.  My feet were so cold, I really couldn't feel what I was stepping on.  My personal lifeguard, Daphne, was not happy that I was in the water.



Third stop, Squibnocket Beach.  Waves.  It didn't look as ferocious as Philbin Beach, so I went in with more confidence and immediately set off for a swim parallel to the shore.  I figured I'd swim the length of the beach, maybe go back and forth a couple of times.  I started in water that was about hip-deep, not wanting to go too far out.  I swam down one way, turned around to come back, and saw that the shore was a whole lot farther away than it was when I started.  I know about undertow and rip currents, but all of a sudden I was, once again, terrified.  I was also freezing.  I got back to shore without too much trouble, but determined that swimming in November in heavy surf on an unguarded beach was not something I'd choose to repeat.

Fourth stop, Menemsha Beach.  Menemsha is a pebbly beach but great for swimming.  By the time we got there, though, the wetsuit was no longer keeping me warm.  I was really, really cold -- but we were there, and I had to do it.  I actually had a nice little swim here.

 Overall, I think I prefer summertime swims in the ocean.

Swim #35: Marriott Long Wharf Hotel, Boston, MA

November 24, 2010 -- This was a swim where the company was more important than the pool.  I met up with my best childhood friend, Becky, and her twin boys for a swim at their hotel.  It's an odd-shaped pool (something to do with the hotel being built to resemble a ship) and not ideal for lap-swimming, but Becky and I swam and walked back and forth for a good long while, talking the whole time, while the boys played with their uncle.  All in all a delightful afternoon!  Here's a picture of the pool, without me in it:

Swim #34: Westin Waterfront Hotel, Boston, MA

November 13, 2010 -- Leah is out of town with NSPA, so Harvey and I sneaked in a little Boston getaway for ourselves.  We stayed at the Westin Waterfront Hotel, selected for its location (walking distance to the North End) and pool, and the fact that we had earned a free Saturday night at any Starwood hotel. We checked in late afternoon, and decided to do pre-dinner workouts.  At 5 pm on a Saturday, the hotel pool was completely empty.

I'm not sure you can appreciate the full effect from this photo:  the pool was in an atrium  with what seemed to be a vaulted, mirrored ceiling.  So, when I turned onto my back to do a few laps of backstroke, I could watch myself in the ceiling.  This was so cool!  I was completely mesmerized by watching my backstroke and hearing only the gentle splashes from my arms, and swam and swam and swam.  This ranks up there with my favorite swims.

The spell was broken the next morning, though.  In the light of day, the mirrored ceiling turned out to be skylights that only appeared mirrored against the dark sky.  And at 11 am, the pool was mobbed with families.  Oh, well.  I had my moment!

Swim #33: Westin Hotel, Pasadena, CA

October 11, 2010 -- A quick overnight in Pasadena so that Leah can do a college interview.   I would give two thumbs up to the very nice Westin Pasadena, http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1453.  This is a lovely rooftop pool, big enough for laps, with gorgeous views of the mountains.  So beautiful, in fact, that I am starting to understand why Leah wants to live here!

Swim #32: San Francisco Bay

October 9, 2010 -- We have come to California for two reasons:  cousin Peter's bar mitzvah in Mill Valley, and a college interview for Leah in Los Angeles.  This is already a heavy agenda for a three-day trip to California.  Can I actually get any swims in?  I am hesitant to ask my family to indulge me, but like magic, the perfect reason and location appeared!

It is Fleet Week in San Francisco, and during the few hours of free time we have in between the morning bar mitzvah and the evening party, it is suggested that we drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to watch the Blue Angels who would be doing an air show over the Bay.  A few key questions ascertained that there is indeed a little beach right on the other side of the bridge, across from the Ghiradelli factory.  It would be a perfect spot to swim and to enjoy the show.

I have been cautioned that San Francisco Bay is rather chilly.  Prisoners have died when they tried to swim from Alcatraz.  Well, they were right -- it's cold.  The beach was packed with people watching the Blue Angels, but I peeled off my clothes (yes, I was wearing a bathing suit), picked my way through the people, and dived into the water.  I'm barely visible in this photo, but you can see my red bathing suit and blue cap.

I have a pretty consistent stroke:  I breathe to my left, every two or three strokes.  The cold water hurt my face so much that I had to start breathing on every stroke just so my face wouldn't have to stay in the water.  Once I figured that out, I started to really enjoy this swim.  And then I realized that if I swam on my back, I could watch the Blue Angels flying above me!  We did not manage to get a photo that shows both me and the planes, but hopefully you get the idea.  This was one spectacular swim.

Swim #31: Nantasket Beach, Hull, MA

October 2, 2010 -- It's getting to the end of the season for ocean swimming, and Nantasket has never been known for warm water.  But I am determined to get in another ocean swim before I give in and declare the summer over.  The water is indeed freezing, so my swim was pretty short, but the air temperature is thankfully warm and I was fine in a matter of minutes.  I have many happy memories of this beach; my family came here often.  I remember spending hours in the water riding waves -- I guess I got an early start to swimming in cold water!

Swim #30: White's Pond, Concord, MA

I have found a little slice of heaven!  Unfortunately, it's not easy to get there.  White's Pond is owned by an association of homeowners.  There is a beach area for members -- which I obviously am not -- but there is also a little path in the woods that gets you to the side opposite the beach.  Legal?  I'm not sure.  Not that you'd ever find it on your own anyway.  My good friend Debbie, who has long been known to thwart authority, led me here.  And it is spectacularly gorgeous.  We swam across, sat on someone's dock for a little while, and swam back.  It was kind of a cool, mid-fall day, and I nearly induced hypothermia in poor Debbie.  Hopefully she will forget and bring me back next summer!

Swims #27, 28, and 29: the South Boston beaches

September 12, 2010 - How have I lived here for this long yet never ventured to the beaches of South Boston?  Granted, there are no sand dunes -- but there is plenty of sand, and lovely, clean water for swimming.

Swim #27 is at Carson Beach.  There are a couple of other intrepid souls in the water, but for the most part, the city of Boston has decided that summer is over.  I beg to differ.  The water is a little chilly, and the air isn't quite as warm as it was in August -- but really!  Extend your summer!

Swim #28 is at M Street Beach, my favorite of today's beaches.  I can't believe the beautiful houses right across the street from the beach!  Daphne joined me for a quick swim.

 

Swim #29 is at Pleasure Bay. All of these beaches are contiguous;  Pleasure Bay is right at the point where South Boston becomes Castle Island.  

After a short swim (I've already had two swims this morning, thank you) we head to the famous Sully's for hot dogs.  Daphne approves!

Swim #26: Revere Beach, Revere, MA

September 10, 2010 -- My friend Deena has brought me to Revere Beach, the beach of her childhood.  School has started and we have the beach largely to ourselves.  The water is a beautiful temperature and I have a nice, long swim.  Salt water swims in gentle waves are undoubtedly my favorite swims - lucky for me I live in Massachusetts!

One of the best things about Revere Beach is the fact that the original Kelly's Roast Beef is right across the street.  My roast beef sandwich is out of this world, and even better when eaten on the beach.  In addition to introducing me to Revere Beach and Kelly's, Deena also gets credit for taking one of the best swimming photos of me.

Swim #25: Ledgebrook, Newton, MA

A private pool in the Ledgebrook condo association is the site of my milestone 25th swim, courtesy of new friend Tina.  If I lived here, I would start every day with a swim in this pool.  Imagine being able to walk out your door and into the pool.  I would smile all day!

Swim #24: Round Hill pool, S. Dartmouth, MA

Labor Day weekend, 2010:  Our good friends Roz and Wally live a few blocks from us in Newton, and coincidentally also live a few blocks from us in South Dartmouth.  At least once during the summer we have lobster rolls together.  After hearing of my 50-swim endeavor, Roz invited me to swim at the pool at their golf course.  It was a chilly, overcast day, evidenced by the fact that I am the only person even near the pool.  It was so chilly that Harvey stood inside the clubhouse to take this picture -- I'm not sure you can even see me over there in the lap lanes. Great swim for me, though!

Swim #23: Morse's Pond, Wellesley, MA

Having grown up in Needham and now living in Newton, it is surprising that I have never been to Morse's Pond.  The season has officially ended, so there are no lifeguards and also no throngs of people, despite the fact that it is a spectacularly beautiful day.  There is a sign saying "beach closed - swim at your own risk," and perhaps the Wellesleyites don't realize the gates are still open?  I won't complain about having the lake to myself, but do wish I had brought the dog for company.  I had a very nice swim, going back and forth fairly close to shore.  This is an awkward photo, taken by me with my right arm stretched as far as it would go.

Swim #22: Deena's pool

Ah, the wonder of the backyard pool.  I have spent years telling Harvey that if he built me a pool, I would always be in a good mood.  Alas, it has not happened.  This is my friend Deena's backyard pool, and while I did more floating than actual swimming, it was a really nice float!

Swims #20 and 21, Provincetown, MA

August 18, 2010 -- Staff Summer Outing!  We board a ferry at Long Wharf and head to Provincetown for the day.  While most of my co-workers stay in town to wander, I grab two friends, rent bicycles and head to the beach via the Province Lands Bicycle Trail, roughly a ten-mile loop.  A description of the bike trail calls it "a narrow track full of vertical and horizontal 90-degree turns."  It is indeed hilly, twisty and sandy, but absolutely spectacular as it takes you through pine trees and sand dunes.

 It is a gorgeous, sunny day.  We ride first to Race Point Beach, were I find a bathhouse to change into my bathing suit.  Race Point is a beautiful beach, and a swim in the slightly chilly water was perfect for after a long bike ride!  Lots of kids are boogie-boarding and I am envious.





Back onto bikes, we ride to Herring Cove Beach.  I think my friends would have been happy to ride back to town and call it a day, but I am determined to get another swim in.  I didn't expect much, as the name of the beach is kind of unappealing, but I loved it!  The really neat thing about it is that it is completely pebbly, and if you are underwater when a wave rolls in, you can hear the pebbles tumbling over each other.  It is the most gentle, soothing sound, like an African rain stick.  For this reason, I stayed in the water for a long time, and we had to ride really fast back to town to catch our ferry.

Back on the ferry, I find that a few other co-workers had taken a water taxi out to the very tip of Cape Cod.  A beach that you can only get to by water -- this calls for a trip back to Provincetown next summer!  All in all, this was a great day.

Swim #19: Spring Valley Country Club, Sharon, MA

August 24, 2010:  I spent the day here with my sister-in-law, Vicki.  In past years, when my parents-in-law were still around, the kids and I would come here to meet them for lunch and go for a swim.  Many times, we were the only people at the pool.  Sadly for us, the membership has turned around, and there are lots of young families at the pool today.  A little noisier, and I had to be rather assertive in claiming a clear lap lane.  Still, Vicki and I had a delightful afternoon of eating, reading, sunning and swimming.

Swim #18: Farm Pond, Sherborn, MA

August 16, 2010 -- I am so happy to rediscover Farm Pond!  My family and I came here many times in the early 1970s, until the town of Sherborn closed the parking lot to all but town residents.  Such a tragedy!  Almost 40 years later, I find I have a vivid memory of the bathhouse, but the beachfront doesn't look familiar at all.  What I do remember is how clean and clear the water was (and still is!)

I came here today with my friend Judy (of "Instant good mood" fame).  We parked a mile or so away and rode our bikes in.  A lovely, lovely lake, and we claim we will come back soon.  This would be a perfect lake for swimming across.......

Swim #17: Lake Cochituate, Natick, MA

August 14, 2010 -- While I wouldn't recommend the Natick beachfront as a paradise for distance swimmers, it is a great family place.  We went with good friends Ilona and Alex.  I swam along the rope after ascertaining from the lifeguards that I really couldn't duck under the rope.  Lake Cochituate is gigantic -- I remember sailing here with friends in high school.

Swim #16: Crescent Beach, Block Island, RI

August 13, 2010 -- Block Island is our family's favorite place on earth.  So many wonderful summer vacations here -- we spent hours and hours riding waves and building giant sand castles.  The island is one long beach; no such thing as private beaches here on Block Island.  And even better, dogs are allowed almost everywhere! We were here for a very quick overnight, primarily to celebrate Steve and Phyllis' engagement, but we did manage a trip to Crescent Beach and a swim for me.

Swim #15: Walden Pond, Concord, MA

August 6, 2010 -- Walden Pond, one of my very favorite places, typically visited with one of my very favorite people, my friend Deb.  I love it because it is legal to swim anywhere, so we can swim across and back without fear of capture.

The water level is unusually high this year due to the excessive rain we had.  The beaches are flooded and the benches around the edges are completely underwater.  Still a great swim, though!

Swim #14: Hotel Palomar, Los Angeles, CA

July 19, 2010 -- Our last day in California.  This is another Kimpton Hotel, and the pool is nestled into a tight little area between buildings.  It is very sweet, though, with luxuriously cushioned lounges at the periphery.  Very nice for an early-morning swim.

I regret that I couldn't get more ocean swims into this California trip -- but you can only have so many agendas going at once, and college visits and visits with friends were what this trip was about.  On several occasions I did say those magic words....."Why don't we live here?"

Swims #12 and 13: San Diego, CA

College visits over, we are spending a delightful few days in San Diego, joined by Dawn, Mike and Olivia.  The Hotel Solamar is our home away from home -- a Kimpton hotel, one of many Kimptons we have stayed in (strong recommendation for Kimpton hotels....http://www.kimptonhotels.com/).  The pool is on a roof deck, designed more for visiting with a drink in your hand than for swimming. I did my best for Swim #12, but most of the people in the pool found it odd to see someone swimming.  It was nice to hang out up there, though, with a book and a drink.











Swim #13 was better, at Coronado Beach.  We had a little trouble figuring out where to park:  much of the beach access seems to be controlled by the Coronado Hotel, and they wanted us to pay $15 to park.  We managed to avoid that, and I plunged into the surf.  A little chilly, but I enjoyed the waves.  We found a wonderful little coffee shop just down the block, making it a lovely California morning.

 
 

We also spent a day in La Jolla, which was delightful, but did not include a swim.  I was itching to swim or kayak with the seals, but happily settled for playing by the edge with Olivia.  I wish we had had more time to explore the coastline around San Diego -- I can see that there are many more charming villages and beaches.  

Another trip out here will be necessary!  I close with a picture of Leah and Olivia, our beloved little peanut.

Swim #11: Sheraton Fairplex, Pomona, CA

July 13, 2010 -- Another college tour!  We are in California for several days, visiting friends and looking at schools.  While the Sheraton Fairplex is conference center and therefore inherently ugly, its pool is considerably nicer than I expected.  We stayed here for just one night, and I got up early to swim.  On trips like this, where we have to spend many hours in the car, I really appreciate hotels that have decent workout facilities.  This pool was a winner in the realm of hotel pools -- it was large enough that I didn't have to turn around after five strokes!  The pool area is very nice, too.  I could envision a lovely day reading by the pool with iced coffee in hand.  Check it out at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=662.

Swim #10: Barney's Joy Beach, South Dartmouth, MA

July 5, 2010 --  Barney's Joy is a private beach, and you can't even pay to join -- you have to have been born into the right family.  Fortunately Dan and Faith, our next-door neighbors in South Dartmouth, happen to be one of those families, and they generously bring us along every now and then.

Barney's Joy is gorgeous and never crowded (see above membership restrictions).  To get there, you have to drive through a working farm, so you are likely to end up with a very large steer in your path.  Then you park and walk over the dunes, and are faced with this beautiful, long stretch of beach.  Although it is not far from Round Hill Beach, it faces a different direction and therefore has the waves that Round Hill does not.  Here's Benjamin --

Swim #9: Round Hill Beach, South Dartmouth, MA

July 3, 2010 -- We are spending the holiday weekend at our beach house in South Dartmouth, MA.  Round Hill Beach is a mile from the house;  a lovely town beach in Buzzard's Bay.  No heavy surf, just beautiful water for taking long swims.  Here I am with my friend Phyllis (left), another avid swimmer.  In the second photo, you can see Martha's Vineyard in the distance.

The best thing about South Dartmouth is that no one knows where it is.  I say it's near New Bedford, and people kind of wrinkle their noses and look confused.  That's okay -- more room for us!

There are several buoys out in the water, marking the guarded area.  Benjamin and I frequently swim laps together, measured in the number of buoys we swim past.  On this particular day, Benjamin was not with me - so I was especially glad to have Phyllis!

Swim #8: Lake Mansfield, Great Barrington, MA

July 2, 2010 -- My friend Judy and I have driven out to pick up our daughters after their week on the Appalachian Trail.  Judy introduces me to the very sweet Lake Mansfield.  It is very small, with a roped-off area for swimming.  I immediately ducked under the rope for a longer swim, but was immediately faced with huge underwater plants - a strong deterrent for me.  Instead, I swam laps back and forth along the rope.

Swim #7: Goose Pond, Lee, MA

June 27, 2010 -- Summer is here and it's time to get into high gear on accomplishing these swims!  We have just delivered Leah to an AMC outpost in Great Barrington, where she will spend a week doing trail maintenance on the Appalachian Trail.  Feeling energetic, Harvey and I set out to hike the Jug End trail.  It starts as a lovely ramble through a meadow, filled with wildflowers and waving wheat, but soon turns into an almost-straight-uphill climb.  We did great, but by the time we arrived at our friends Judy & Charlie's vacation house in Lee for a swim, we were complete mush.  I did get into Goose Pond, and did my best to swim about halfway across and back.  It was a delightful spot and I'd love to go back!

Swim #6: Outdoor pool at the JCC, Newton

Summer is finally here!  One of the happiest days of the year is the day the outdoor pool at the JCC opens for the season.  Finally, I can swim my laps outdoors in the sunshine.

Benjamin, Leah and I spent many, many happy days here in summers past.  Leah learned to swim in the kiddie pool, and both kids spent endless hours swimming and playing here.  Nowadays, I walk all the way to the far end, where there are no children, just adults quietly reading books and lying in the sun.  I swim my laps, then sit and read for a while.  It is a perfect way to end the day.

Swim #5: Crystal Lake, Newton, MA

Crystal Lake is a Newton treasure.  The water is spectacular, and the lake is the perfect size.   On the day of Swim #5, I have my son, Benjamin, with me.  He's a great swimmer as well, and we have a delightful swim together.  This was early in the season, and the water was still a little nippy.  Later in the season I had an equally wonderful swims in somewhat warmer water with my good friends Judy and Rose.

Swim #4: Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC

It is school vacation week, April 2010, and we are on a college tour in North Carolina.  But no college tour would be complete without a little R&R at a nice resort.....right?  We headed to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.  If you are ever in the area, we highly encourage a visit.  It is spectacular.  Gorgeous grounds, views, food, and to top it off, a fabulous spa.  We spent the better part of a day just hanging out at the spa.


There are several pools, and although I entered multiple pools, I am just counting this as one swim.  The pools are designed for relaxing more than lap swimming, but I did manage a good swim in the largest of the pools, and a long, relaxing "float" in another.

In addition to the "swimming" pools, there were two "massage" pools. You climb in, sit under a thundering waterfall, and let it pound you with water (photo below).  It's pretty intense and very loud -- but it does get at those upper back/shoulder muscles!  In the locker room there are side-by-side hot and cold tubs -- the idea is that you alternate between the two, ostensibly boosting you immune system.  I loved it -- plunging into the cold tub was absolutely exhilarating.

It is difficult to describe how beautiful the Grove Park Inn is --- not to mention Asheville itself, which is now at the top of my list of places to return.  Take a look at Grove Park's website --- http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/ --- and if you still aren't convinced, let us just tell you that as we were leaving, our President and First Lady were arriving for a long weekend.