Just in Time

Just in time for the Polar Bear Swim. I was starting to worry that the water would remain in the 40's.

Polar Bear Swim

Most of you, if you've been to the site in these winter months, have been alerted to the Polar Bear Swim I host every year. I t started with just me and two neighborhood teenagers, then grew and grew. This year we have people traveling from as far as San Francisco to attend.

Basically, I have an in ground pool that gets a lot of use by friends and strangers alike in the summer. But in the winter, it just sits there. So one year, I believe it was spurred on by the need to clear my head, on New Year's Day, we went for a dip. Sounds easy. I forgot to mention that we broke ice for the hour previous.


The first time, we just jumped in and out in about 3 seconds. We moved on to a lap width-wise then a lap length-wise.

Last year, my then 5 year old son shamed us all by jumping in first. He got so many accolades, that he jumped in again before we covered the pool up.
Everybody cheers and jeers, and has romping good time. Then it's inside to eat posole and clam chowder; drink more cocktails and sit by the fire; chat and watch the Rose Bowl.

So here's the flier:



Please join us for the 3rd Annual
Polar Bear Swim
Friday, January 1st, 2010
Noon -5:30pm

Sandhill “Community” Pool
03 Sandhill Rd.
RSVP
walter@soilutions.net or 505.681.5371

This year we will again be attempting a FULL LAP (13 yd)
Hot Toddy’s, Warm Towels, a Burn Barrel, the Rose Bowl, and a Hearty Stew
will be provided. Caps generously provided by the Swim-Art. Other promotional consideration provided by
the San Francisco Dolphin Club



*All swimmers MUST be accompanied by a sane dry adult. Complete submission (overhead) is NOT required. Verification of availability of warmed towel strongly suggested before entering pool. Photographic evidence of participation will be provided upon request.


come on by, even if you don't want to swim. All are welcome.

California Dreamin'

This cool overcast weather reminds me of home. I am sure a lot of us used to call some place else home before we got to the Land of Entrapment.

I used to call the Cental Coast of California home, and before that, Northern California. There is an old phrase oft bantered about: "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco". I miss the fog and the dew. I miss the sudden swath of sunshine at 11am as the fog clears out for awhile. I miss feeling like a local. So when the state flower, a poppy, bloomed the other day in my back yard, I couldn't believe my luck.



New Mexico has so much to offer and I don't want you all to feel like I am here unwillingly. But I do miss some things about the Golden State. Most of all I miss submerging myself daily in the Pacific Ocean. That's probably why we sponsor a polar bear swim every January 1st. To that end, I offer a link to video produced monthly by an old friend of mine. I hope you enjoy. http://surf.transworld.net/2009/04/17/nellys-magic-moments-part-4-santa-cruz/