Several months ago, my stepmom decided she wanted to compete in the Alcatraz swim here in San Francisco. Yeah. I said it. She swam from Alcatraz all the way to the bay. She’s nuts. Originally, my aunt, cousin and stepmom were intending on swimming, but due to a waterskiing accident, my aunt got out of it.
Let’s just say, swimming from Alcatraz to the bay is far. And that’s just an understatement. Swimming in open water is very different than swimming in a pool. There are many other things that come into play when you’re swimming with the sharks and sea lions (yes, some swimmers actually were bitten by sea lions. Crazy). My stepmom trained for months for this swim. She tried several different wet suits (because the water is damn cold) and worked very hard to be able to compete in the annual Alcatraz Sharkfest. Needless to say, it was a great weekend.
Not only was it an incredible accomplishment for my stepmom to swim in the race, it was also very cool for me to have family in town – in my new city! I was able to show them around a bit, eat at some good restaurants, and just have a great time.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the time I was able to spend with my stepmom. We walked around Fisherman’s Wharf, the Embarcadero and Union Square. We ate fabulous meals at several restaurants around the city and at Pier 39. She loved my apartment, my office and my city. It was so rewarding to be able to provide insight into my new life here in San Francisco.
It was also kind of weird. It was weird that they were on vacation, and I was home. It was weird that I was the one showing them around – showing them some of the things I’ve learned.
There’s so much to show and not enough time.
And I can’t wait for the rest of my family to come visit.
Lauren, the swim was fun but the highlight of my trip to SF was seeing you. You are one of the few who have made their dream a reality. You radiate happiness and it makes you so beautiful. Nothing is more gratifying than seeing your child (you may not be my child biologically but you are in every other way) successful and happy. I am so proud of who you have become and all of your accomplishments. I love you.
(PS – I thought I had veto power over the photos – what’s up with that?)
Open Water Swimming is indeed a whole different ball of wax. Coming from a tiny island, I can talk someone’s ears off when it comes to that. When I hear people say they’re going on vacation and go diving, my first reaction is … do you even know what you’re getting yourself in to? SCUBA diving in a pool is one thing. Doing it in a murky lake, same deal, there’s no current. But, to think that you can simply go there and be able to jump in the water and swim and/or dive? You’ve got another thing coming.
I learned SCUBA diving in open water. I have my certification in open water rescue. It is -not- easy. So to your step-mom, Mazel Tov! That’s an awesome accomplishment.
To you Lauren … some day I will go visit SanFran and I hope you don’t mind wearing a tour guide hat for a day.
I liked it. So much useful material. I read with great interest.
I’m so glad I found this site…Keep up the good work
This site rocks!
I don’t know If I said it already but …I’m so glad I found this site…Keep up the good work I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say GREAT blog. Thanks, 🙂
A definite great read..
-Bill-Bartmann
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so, Excellent post!