Most of you who are getting these blog posts know this already. Our friend Ed was diagnosed with Lymphoma this summer and is in the midst of chemotherapy. Fighting cancer, finding a cure, raising funds for top rated, local research organizations across America, is what Swim Across America is about. It is my favorite fund raiser. The event is on September 11th but since we are on this trip, I am participating remotely, swimming off the boat in honor of Ed and also remembering all of my friends, family and colleagues who are or have suffered from these diseases.
8/24/21: Ready for the 1st swim to the “island” on the right, the tan line of rock. Guessing 1-1/3 miles round trip? so hard to tell! Easier than Ed’s journey!
Water temp. 57.5 degrees, air temp 68. I love my wet suit! Initially, I was aiming to swim around a buoy half way between the boat and the island. Pat egged me on, “Only to the buoy? You can go farther than that!” The buoy was a bit anticlimactic, home to a few cormorants. Hands a bit cold but, feet OK, try for the island, explore, sit in the sun for awhile, swim back. Go for it.
Arcturos from the swim, beyond is American Camp, San Juan Island 
Popped over the rock to unsuspecting birds. Seagulls? 
I was thrilled seeing long flowing seaweed beneath me, almost there, when something bumped me in the leg. Suddenly I was swimming for my life as the ebbing current flowing around the island grabbed me, dragging me towards the North side of the island to who knows where! Fortunately, it was only ?15-20 yards cross current to get to the island where an eddy around the north side invited me in, puffing away. The barnacles were not so inviting but it was fun exploring this rock, Sea Stars beneathe, startled birds above, Oyster catchers after a meal and seals rising a foot out of the water to see what had invaded their island. I could not figure out how to attach videos to this blog or you would see the current and island better.
From the island, the current runs around the corner into the Juan de Fuca Strait
This was a good lesson. Next time, I will try to figure out when the slack current is before setting off swimming near channels alone. After exploring, getting back to the boat was the next challenge. Eventually, the current would slow. Not eager to get caught in it on the way back, I waited on the rock, black wetsuit soaking up the sun, talking to the seals and birds.
Across the water, a dog barked. Bailey gets very excited when Pat starts getting the dinghy ready to go ashore. Bark, bark, bark! I stood and waved hoping Pat would see & have pitty on me.
From the boat, Pat could see me sitting on the rock and sitting, and sitting. Not until he reached the island, could he see the dilemma. Our dinghy has a substantial 30 HP engine for its size. Even so, the speed of the current made it unsafe to land. I waded to a point that looked safe for him to approach without hitting rocks and jumped for the boat, grabbing the handle on the bow and one on the Port side, clinging on as he turned and powered away for what felt like forever, to calmer water where I could kick, pull and flop back into the boat.
My knight in shining armor with still happily drugged Bailey
A fitting swim for Ed, I thought, a very fun adventure with a great outcome. Ed, we are wishing you an excellent outcome too!!
For those of you who have not donated to Swim Across America, Seattle, please do! It’s a great cause.
Copying the web address below to your browser should get you to my personal page.
http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR?px=1450235&pg=personal&fr_id=5771&et=QV9Qqh_Gl3j6Nh5_yookxUknsrHdHF6iuP9lcJmxeCnqNbVy9au9F
And the next morning, the waters are still as the sun beacons us to new adventures in Canada.
Holeinthewater 