Forecast Shmorecast

Super late start today. The meetings just wouldn’t end. What is the matter with people? Don’t they understand that I need to get to the beach? I’m out of here at about 11:45. I was concerned that things might be blown out by this time, but the surface looks relatively calm and the air temperature is approaching 80 so heading out for a swim is looking like a smart move.

From the parking lot, the water still looks pretty calm. It is a beautiful beautiful day out. I could probably add a few more beautifuls and be completely accurate. There is not a cloud in the sky - at least not that I can see. The crowds have definitely come down since I was here last on Monday (labor day). Not many are here at all, which is a shame because it is ridiculously fabulous here right now.

It also looks like the surf has come down as well. There is surf but it is more tame than the weekend. According to the surf report, water temps have come down too from the onshore winds the last couple of days. It is down to 69 which in my opinion is still pretty darn nice.

As I enter the water, I can’t say I am noticing much of any decline in temperature. Given the heat in the air, the water feels great. There are probably some more cold spots but some of these warm spots feel like they are 80 degrees and I welcome the cold spots.

The entire swim is like a dream. I have some external stressors I am dealing with today and I won’t bore this post with the details but the sun and the water are like a medicine that make these stressors feel as though they are miles and miles away. The water gives me some perspective. It makes me realize the stressors are not as big and mean and scary as I make them out to be. They are completely overcomable even though I don’t think that is a word. I have to say that I don’t know how I will overcome them right now. I just know that I will.

I head south and when I get to the end of the beach below the headlands. The water has a lovely green tint to the surface and below the water is a rich navy blue. On my way back north about half way up the beach, the surface is a deeper blue. I remember someone once commenting on one of the pictures I posted on Facebook. They said that the water is not blue (or whatever color I had in the picture) here in Dana Point. One thing that I love about coming back to the water several times a week throughout the year is the fact that you cannot pin it down to any single color or shade. It is always different. It is a living, dynamic, and complex system.

The water just seems to get more and more pleasant as the swim continues. Usually this is the time of day that the onshore winds start to pick up and the forecast calls for more of that today. However, things seem to be getting more and more calm now. Forecast shmorecast.