In
2009, the New Year's Day Splash at Watch Hill was
frigid.
In
2010 it was much warmer, and that merry ol' gang of freaks had themselves a
ball. As did we beach-huggers*.
*(hey, somebody
's got to stay on the beach, taking photos and popping champagne. I volunteer to do so every year for the rest of eternity.)
In
2011 I really don't know because, clearly, I was terribly
hungover.
But in
2012? Oh what a beautiful day. It was downright balmy at Watch Hill, and we had ourselves a Time.
We were late, but so was everyone else. I resolve
not to be late in 2013 . . .
This
must be the biggest group of swimmers ever. Have there ever been 7,023 swimmers before?
And, as every year . . .
. . . they're off! . . .
. . . and then . . .
. . . they're back!
Katie and Sasha joined the fun this year . . .
. . . as did Theo.
Lynne is
always there for the fun.
Constance and Dawnie . . .
. . . Whaler Pride . . .
. . . our own Mr. Dibble . . .
. . . and Mistah with our girl Kimmie. Oh, the fun we have.
Yay, Mistah!
And
Yay Kimmie! Here's a family photo to start off this exciting year:
Hey there, Miles.
Oh, the beach is so beautiful . . .
. . . as is my new red jacket . . .
. . . Thanks, Mom!
But wait! After everyone left to find safety in the hot tub and in Mr. Dibble and Elizabeth's notoriously groaning board, Dave showed up . . .
. . . and ran
right in the ocean.
And he's off! . . .
. . . Splash! . . .
. . . and he's back!
A few minor details like being an hour-and-a-half late, and showing up at the wrong Rhode Island beach aren't about to stop our Davey . . .
. . . oh, no-siree.
Lynne acted as Towel Girl.
Yay Lynne!
Yay Dave!
And as for you, Watch Hill . . .
. . . how we adore you . . .
. . . how we thank you . . .
. . . and as I say every year . . .
. . . we'll see you this summer.
I love the comparison of Watch Hill from you and Kaanapali Beach from Jacquie - great posts both. love, mom
ReplyDeleteYes, one group of peeps is sane, whereas the others? Well, not so much! Brrr.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, you, Ellie, are a magnificent photo-taking-champagne-popping sane (not to mention dry) spectator.
Yay for the glorious day at Watch Hill, and yay for 2012!
xoxox,
Beth
I know, Mom -- I *so* wished we had a Torch-Lighting-Hawaiian-Man there with us on Sunday. He may have been cold in just his towel-skirt, though.
ReplyDeleteE.
(And Yay, Beth!)
Wait a minute, did Mistah not swim? What da?
ReplyDeleteYour beach looks so c-c-c-c-c-coooold, but your peeps are lovely and warm.
Love the latecomer, did he do it for the glory of the blog?
xoxox
Jacquie
The latecomer called me from Misquamicut, around 2 (the Splash is at 1), all peeved because, as he said, "Nobody's here, only normal people." I said, "Dave, they're not *there* because they're *here*, where they're *supposed* to be, where we are *every year*."
ReplyDeleteSo he drove over, and went in. It was just pure luck that Mistah were still basking on the beach -- everyone else had left for the party -- and I was able to catch him in his glory.
And Mistah swam in '09 and '10, but not in '11 or '12. He suffers every year over the decision. Me, I never have to give it a moment's thought.
E.