Today was a beautiful day in Vancouver. Clean. Crisp. Cool.
I love when summer fades into fall, but it also offers up a time to reminisce on
my fun summer memories. I started to day dream about swimming, which is
definitely one of my favourite summer activities. I was really fortunate this
past summer to be able to spend a few weeks at home in the beautiful Finger
Lakes region of upstate New York. I got to enjoy the amazingness of Canandaigua
Lake which means “the chosen spot” and is believed to be the birthplace of the
Seneca Nations Tribes. Although there was technically an earthquake and hurricane Irene all in the short
time span I was home, I got plenty of swimming in and have listed my top 10
favourite swims. Are yours the same?
10. Coming in at a solid 10 is the first jump off the dock.
For me, I had just spent 3 months in South Africa so that first run, jump, and
splash was amazing.
9. You know when you’re working and you can’t enjoy the
lake? Then you finally finish a long day and can transition into relaxation
time by taking a dip. #win
8. The adventurous swim. A storm is coming in so the winds
are picking up and before you know it you have to jump into the water to save
your life jackets, tube, kayak or what have you. It’s definitely a thrill!
7. The water fight. All your friends are horsing around,
having fun and someone finally gets thrown in. Result = everyone dying of
laughter.
6. The unpredictable bonfire swim. After getting a good
crowd of friends out on a nice, calm summer evening a bonfire is the natural
way to go. The fire itself makes it so hot that a swim is a great intermission
to the festivities.
5. Number 5 is definitely when you finish a good water skiing
run and you’re tired. Cutting across the wake, being pulled at 20+ mph
certainly tuckers me out. I love just floating in my life jacket while the boat
swings around to pick me up.
4. You’re sweaty. Whether you’ve just had an awesome soccer
practice, gone for a hike, or finish some grueling yard work. All you have to
do is kick off your sneakers and take the plunge. For some reason there is
something so satisfying about swimming in your clothes.
3. The calm before a storm. I know here on the West coast
there are not a ton of thunder and lightning storms, but anyone on the East
coast can attest to the magnificent storms we get in the summer months. You can
tell their coming a mile away and if you’re lucky the lake will get really calm
and the rain will start to fall. That is an amazing time to go swimming because
then you can get out, wrap up in a big towel and watch the storm come down the
lake while sitting on the porch.
2. Skinny dipping! (Enough said)
1. My all-time favourite type of swim is right before bed,
right before I go back to school and right when the stars have fully come out
for the night. You honestly feel like you’re the only person in the entire lake
and who doesn’t think stargazing from the water is way better than stargazing on
land?