Swam in the sea today. New beach, and the goal was to swim to a kelp forest. It was a bit too far for me, and I had to turn around before reaching it. I got pretty close, but then got a bit spooked by not beign able to see the bottom and by seeing a huge kelp. My mind added a sea lion because I was surrounded by blue, and sometimes felt like I was seeing light blue or white shadows in the water. Which made me think of sea lions. And killer whales. I had already seen a large moon jelly, and last time I walked near this beach I saw a HUGE sea lion very near the shore. So I get a bit wigged out and turned around. Also, last night I had a weird dream that I lost one of my nipples. I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean, but today I respected my limits, stayed calm, and still got to have an adventure. And now I have a new swim buddy.
She kept going, and a grey seagull was following her. Her tow buoy is a blow-up duck, so it was sort of amusing to see the seagull paddling along behind the duck. I swam through lots of pieces of seaweed, and lots of it got on my face. Mostly it was a stellar swim. The water felt very cold, but I like that. I need to get my cold gear out of storage.
I need to get in better shape, and I need to learn more about swimming in the sound. Maybe need to swim in water where I can stop and stand if I need to. Saw lots of shells on the sea floor. Some interesting seaweed in the water and on the beach. Lots of stuff in the water.
I spent another 30 minutes taking photos on the beach once I changed into my clothes. So many cool rocks, colorful sea plants, and a huge dead fish. I don’t know if it was a sea lion’s lunch or a an Orca’s, but whoever ate that fish cleaned the bones. I wonder why they didn’t eat the head or tail? I sort of liked seeing it. So many are fed by the sea. Life and death on the beach.
When I got back to my car the trunk was open. Did I accidentally do that when I parked? It’s taking me awhile to learn how to park the new car because I have 35 years of muscle memory for my old car. Now I’m a crazy lady who leaves her trunk open. Nobody stole my stuff – a rice cooker, a pair of sandals, bike baskets, and a box of books. Yea.
I am a lake swimmer but need the sound right now. The lake is tired and dirty from overcrowding all summer. The sound is colder and feels cleaner. Plus, it’s closer to my new home.
Also, salt water does amazing things to my hair. Grateful for water. Love to all the other sea witches out there.
