Seriously, I am. Heading up to Lake Placid, NY this weekend to watch three family members participate in this incredible event.Â
They will swim 2.4 miles in Mirror Lake, bike 112 miles through Lake Placid and the surrounding towns, and then run 26.2 miles…whew!
Expecting a finishing time of 12 to 13 hours- that’s a long time for me…I mean them! Thankfully, I will have a chair and snacks to get me through 😉
Will post pictures here and on Twitter.
Helpful information from the Cape May County Herald Newspaper:
Kayaking in the ocean takes place only under the perfect set of conditions: low tide, calm water, and WARM water (unlike bay kayaking- I can’t avoid getting wet in the ocean).
My main motivation is to see the dolphins- I’ve had several exciting dolphin encounters. Today, I only saw 2 in the distance- but it was a beautiful morning on the water.
I don’t mind the ride out over the waves- it’s the return to the beach that’s tricky. It’s not an attractive dismount- my goal is to avoid being hit in the head by the boat as I’m thrown to shore 😉
The popular 7 mile bike path through Avalon and Stone Harbor – it’s like watching the shore stage of Tour de France 😉
Keep cool, drive carefully, and enjoy the fireworks tonight (in Avalon off 30th Street; in Stone Harbor off 81st Street).
My “commute” took a few extra minutes this morning- the shore version of rush hour: church letting out, pedestrian traffic heading to Avalon Coffee, cars looking for parking near Uncle Bill’s, etc. Â 😉
Watched this young lady reel in a 45″ sand shark last evening. She was fishing with her grandfather, mother, and sisters- and very excited about her catch.
As the daughter of a surf fisherman, it brought back memories of time spent at the water’s edge by my father’s side. His daughters didn’t  have the same enthusiam – but he was a good sport teaching us to bait a hook, cast, and clean the fish (yuck).Â
These girls took turns confidently holding the fish after the grandfather removed the hook.  And, then they set the sand shark free.Â
A close up from the photo-op: Â http://twitpic.com/20ubon
Seriously…thunderstorms at the shore have the same risks as those back in the “real world”. Just to clarify, here’s a list of what NOT to do during a storm:
Ride your bike; jog along Dune Drive; walk on the beach; expect your open deck umbrella to withstand the high winds; walk your dog.Â
Trash day adds to the fun- several recycling containers blew over- creating an obstacle course of bottles and cans 😉
Thankfully, the sun has returned- a beautiful evening.
The view from my kayak early this morning.Â
A thick mist hung over the calm bay.  I was only able to stop briefly to take this picture- had to “out paddle” the gnats!
Have a good weekend 🙂
http://timkerrcharities.org/ Are you available Saturday morning, July 3rd between 7- 9? Volunteers are needed at street ends (between 8th and 38th Streets) to prevent traffic from entering and/or crossing Avalon Avenue and First Avenue during the Islandman Triathlon.
There will be over 400 participants in this sold out event: a 1/4 mile ocean swim; the 12 mile closed course bike race (when you see the speeds, you will understand the need for closed roadways!); and the 5K boardwalk/beach run.
All volunteers receive a 2010 Islandman Triathlon t-shirt as a thank you 🙂
Please let me know if you can help…and your preferred location. Thanks!
Summer Saturday routine: Up early. Sneakers & iPod for a beach walk. On my way down the block, I watch families pack up cars to check out of their rental properties. Hurry to work. Prepare for appointments and incoming tenants. Get everyone settled in (they will be thrilled with this weekend’s beach weather!)Â
Saturday night- tenants out on decks enjoying the start of their vacation…and, the noise level in our neighborhood goes up a few notches 😉