Well I had to come back from Florida early and was suprised to find the thermometer above 60 on the 2nd so I hopped in the car and away I went. When I got to the cove there were two women "birding" they had set up on lawn chairs covered in blankets at the top of the wide open pasture above the beach. I ran into Dick (Hi Dick) and with the ambient temp being around 65 it was just to good to pass up. We both went for a quick (and I mean really quick) swim. Wading out to dive depth wasn't too bad, it was cold, but it wasn't bone chilling. At thigh high I dove in, the instant paralysis and the brain hysteria were sure indicators that this was not a good idea. The funny thing is once I got out and stood there on the beach drip drying I wasn't even cold. (I guess after being in ice cold water 65 seems really warm). At any rate Dick jumped in next and had a realy quick swim as well. If you happen to be out there and see some realy big tracks (about palm size) they are dog or coyote, there is quite a lot of bird feathers and bird carcasses along the north side of the beach and it seems like some of the local dogs/coyotes are having a food fest there. The birders we ran into said there were going to me mass quantities of bird watchers out there with binoculars and cameras around the 12th or 13th (Jan) so if it hapens to be a warm day and you venture out to the cove and find it packed with people that's whats happening.

That is a good one - man leaves Miami and Haulover Beach - comes back to KC to go swimming on Jan 2nd in 35 degree water at Smithville Lake. One hardy guy.

Yeah Mike's right -- we did the deed and no worse for the experience. In fact I'm better for having done it -anytime you push yourself just a little, as long as it's not really dangerous - I think you come away a smidgen better for the effort.

So, Brett, you started this -- where were you? Or maybe you were there on the 1st when I wasn't.

The funny part was the juxtaposition of the two ladies up in the field bird watching with coats on and under a blanket on their lawn lounges - then the two of us - naked and skinnydipping down at the Lake. Could be an entry in "Find five things wrong with this picture."

Not sure if they could see - and videotape - us but tend to doubt it. They were up toward the top of the hill and were sort of obscured by the berm and the tall weeds that ring the shoreline. Still if they were interested in what was going on - they had ther binoculars and could have easily stood up for a better view. Kind of funny. I told them as I was headed toward the lake that I was going swimming so they knew the plan. I don't think I mentioned my attire but they might have guessed since I was carrying nothing - not even a towel - oh I did have a camera with me.

We talked to them on the way out about Eagle Days coming up on Jan 10th and 11th - apparently that Cove is one of the best spots on the Lake for eagle watching. The Rangers will have spotting scopes set up there in the field apparently and serve as lookouts.

Thanks Mike - the team effort made it easier. Nobody wants to wimp out in front of another Polar Bear so it was easier this year than last year for me - I'm two in a row now for January swims at Heartland Cove. No promises for 2005 - both last Jan and this Jan saw some unusally warm temps -- upper 60s. Not always the case.

Dick
rjw at kcsky dot net

Here's a "long shot" from Friday's Polar Bear Club swim at Smithville Lake. That's me in the distance either waving hello or waving for help. Some of each.

This image will disapper in a few days - the website allows it to say online for a week for users who login with username/password.

Dick