Scenes from a Solstice Swim

q-and-cory

Preparing to Dive

Whether last year’s plunge into our ice edged pond was colder that this year’s snow melt swim,  my middle son carried out his yearly tradition of burying himself in the frigid water below our house and rising shivering but triumphant again. This year he brought a friend to join in the ceremony.

Something about the tradition helps him define who he is.


qwet

The goosebumps and the race for the hot shower afterwards are all part of the joy.

qclose

As he walks away from his childhood, he is in the process of making the man he will be and whether he swims next December or not, I hope he continues moving out of his comfort zone.  Life is more joyous when you push your edges a little.

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21 Comments
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Elizabeth
Guest
Elizabeth
15 years ago

I am cold just looking at these photos! I think the edges of my comfort zone will need to stay on the warmer side, LOL.

Toni
Guest
15 years ago

They make me cold just looking at them! And here I am sitting with the furnace at 75°, a blanket on my lap and I’m wearing a hoody – I don’t do cold well. You’ve got a good looking son there – may he continue to expand the boundaries of his comfort zone (but only in good ways). 🙂

silverstar98121
Guest
15 years ago

Can I marry him? He’s cute. Well, so is the other guy. But I’m not going out in this weather if I can help it.

nursemyra
Guest
15 years ago

he’s gorgeous!

Elaine
Guest
15 years ago

He is the master of that pond! And I say, “Good luck with that.”

A beautiful series once again, Kym.

archiearchive FCD
Guest
15 years ago

Boundaries are for pushing, comfort and slippers are for old age. I live in hope of one day being old. In my mind and in my heart I am still 19.

A little Bob Dylan for your son;

“May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young”

ekovox
Guest
ekovox
15 years ago

You son looks a little bit like a young Eric Stoltz. No wonder the ladies are leering at him.

Eric Kirk
Guest
Eric Kirk
15 years ago

Wow! That’s the second of your kid I’ve seen and boy to they take your features!

You didn’t mention whether you took the plunge this year. Good for the heart, assuming you survive it. Sort of a literal application of Nietzsche.

Tj
Guest
Tj
15 years ago

I love it!

Ernie's Place (Branscomb)
Guest

I did that one time when I was about his age. I swam a rope across the river to pull a line, that pulled a cable, that pulled a summer bridge, that would be used to haul logs across the river.

It was an icy March day. I discovered that I could breathe in, but I couldn’t breathe out. I could only do little gasps and that was all. I’m a real sissy when it comes to cold. No way in heck would I ever jump in ice-water with-out somebody holding a gun on me. Then I think that I would probably contemplate the alternatives.

He’s a mighty brave lad. I can tell you that it is a painful experience!

Carson Park Ranger
Guest
15 years ago

It’s good to see some young folks who aren’t covered with a bunch of tattoos. Congratulations.

Kitty
Guest
15 years ago

Brrrr!
I could never do that. Ever. I’m such a wuss about the cold.

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
15 years ago

You’re a braver soul than I am, Gunga-Quinn!

Heather
Guest
15 years ago

“Boundaries are for pushing, comfort and slippers are for old age. I live in hope of one day being old. In my mind and in my heart I am still 19.

A little Bob Dylan for your son;

“May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young”

-archiearchive FCD

This is my favorite “Forever Young” song.

You can listen to a sample/buy The Pretenders’ version of this song here: http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Young-Album-Version/dp/B00124B87C

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Heather thanks for the link.

Aunt Jackie, Gunga-Quinn really fits and made me chuckle.

Kitty and Eric, I couldn’t do that either. I believe in pushing my limits but cold water would shatter mine!

CPR, he has been lobbying for a tattoo but we’re still holding out. Next year he maybe covered with so much ink he’ll look like a newspaper;>

Ernie, he is brave and you must have been, too! I could never have done what you did.

Quinn is pretty cute and so is his friend. Both are sweet guys which is even more important. They had a beautiful female friend over watching them (also very sweet) but she wasn’t compelled by male hormones to jump in;>

Carol
Guest
Carol
15 years ago

Your son’s friend attended Loleta school with my daughter.

Brrr! Polar Bear Swim!

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Yes, he lives up there. He is such a great guy. Very nice and funny and my little guy loves him, too.

Carol
Guest
Carol
15 years ago

His great-grandfather once owned the Salmon Creek Ranch.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

I love the way that my son makes friends with other long time Humboldt family members. I wonder if there is some emotional connection that we don’t recognize on the surface but that hums through our blood. One of his other closest friends comes from a long time Shelter Cove Family. Cory’s grandmother just sent me a note telling me that her mother used to teach the Salmon Creek kids during the 64 flood. I’m curious to know more.

Carol
Guest
Carol
15 years ago

Cory’s grandmother has a wealth of knowledge of your area and she is a very nice lady, too.

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