
I knew we'd go swimming, and I knew I
wouldn't want to change into a swimsuit, nor wear the TYR racer back suit I own. So I wore only items I felt I could go from hike to swim to hike in without feeling uncomfortable when wet or sweaty. They worked great. Didn't dry out from the swim as fast as I'd like, but what standard swimsuit does? You always need to towel off a bit. I'll remember that for next time.
Unfortunately, I've no photos of my outfit. But I can share the photo me wearing the same pants to the Electric Run later in August.
We wandered out to swim, me, my hiking buddy, and 3 other unknown burly guys following us out on a giant log. All 5 of us stood there. Me the only girl and having swum in cold places before (ie the Puget Sound) I sat on the log getting my butt used to the cold. The guys, still stood talking. In disbelief, I stared. They weren't going in. Neither was the guy I was hiking with. Odd. In that moment, I knew I'd be in the water before them.
So I pushed off and sort of dove in. "AHHHHH, YEOW! HOLY SHIT! THIS IS COLD!" escaped before I could control my screams of delight and shock. Shortly there after the 3 burly dudes jumped in all a hootin and a hollerin. Hiking buddy... still checking out the waters with his big toe. Not to be out done, he jumped in shortly there after. Cold, but not so bad, right?! We both had smiles on our faces after the swim and hanging out on these big ol logs. An adventure to be sure.
Clouds, thunder, sun, lightening, humidity and heat. It was a tumultous day for the weather gods, but a glorious one to be out in the forest. I saw dutchman's pipe, mountain heather, round leaf orchids, and a few other interesting native wildflowers. I was really grateful for all the beauty I saw and kept reminding myself, "You Got This." And I did it.