The Feeling is Mutual

Another early start at 6:30 this morning and the day looks about the same as it did yesterday at this time - dark and cloudy. Well it is consolation that I am pretty sure the water is also going to be just as warm as it was yesterday. I’m guessing near 70 degrees.

I get to the beach and there are not many folks around. There is a gull standing at the edge of the water just staring out towards open ocean. I stare in the same direction and it’s pretty clear what the appeal is. I think me and that gull might just have a lot in common.

On the drive over, I was checking the surf report and it said 3-5 feet. That’s not very big, it is certainly bigger than anything I am seeing now. Same thing happened yesterday and I wonder if there is a new forecaster on the Surfline team who has not learned how to gauge what they are seeing through the cam. That’s probably not true but I like to entertain myself with the story.

I walk out into the water and yes, I would say it feels about the same as yesterday - pretty damn great. I swim south again and try to fall into the rhythm of the water. My goggles are getting all fogged up but I don’t want to stop and wipe them. I’m in a groove that I don’t want to leave. It looks dark here and it does look as though the surf is larger than yesterday but still well within my comfort range.

I reach the end of the beach. It was bound to happen. It’s beautiful and no surprises there either. I don’t think I have ever found this spot to be NOT beautiful. The tide is low and I can see the usual rocks all spread out just at the edge of the headlands. Each one is like a special friend that I would sorely miss if somehow it was no longer here. Well thankfully, I don’t think any of those rocks are going anywhere any time soon.

I turn around and head north. There is not nearly as much pelican traffic today as there was yesterday but man this ocean sure looks beautiful just like it did yesterday. The grey sky reflects softly on the surface of the water and it looks alive. It’s definitely giving off positive energy. I think it loves me and the feeling is mutual.

I make it to the north end and pass all the familiar buoys. I spot a nice bass on the way and dive down to try and get a picture but I’m looking at that picture now and see no bass. I know it was there.

On the swim back towards the finish I stop and hear something splashing behind me. I look and it is another swimmer. They are coming right for me and we are literally just inches apart. Then again, I am just inches apart from absolutely everything. Some things are just a lot more inches away. Well I’m probably 2 feet from this person. I am just wading in the water here and he is breathing in the opposite direction of me. I’m sure he has no idea I am right here and he ust keeps swimming onward as if I am not here. I would totally do the exact same thing. It makes me laugh.

That swimmer was part of the Sunday morning swim crew and I catch up with them on my way to the stairs and chat all the way up. They are a good group of people.