Thursday Thoughts: What Are Your Splashy Adventures?

Thursday Thoughts, Inspiration, Motivation, YOLO

The most beautiful blue sea lay before us. High above the Mediterranean Sea, my love and adoration for water stirred. Could the water be warm enough to swim in November, I wondered.

It was my sixtyth birthday, and I wanted to celebrate it with a unique experience. So, I put on my black bathing suit, which I had packed in case an opportunity arose to use it on our two-week vacation to Italy, my grandparents’ country of origin. I wanted a memorable, splashy birthday no matter the temperature.

For three years I’ve been trying different sports to experience and write about to share the experience and inspire others to try new sports no matter their age. I already experienced swimming in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean Sea, Lake Ontario, and Lake Michigan, and even polar plunged in a river in Quebec in February, why not add the Mediterranean Sea to my list?

The air temperature was 72 degrees as I unrobed on the pebbly beach with bits of glimmering sea glass nestled between the grey stones. Gingerly, I walked into the sea to find it almost as warm as the air, with no seaweed or pollution, just a few topless women, playful children, and a few men enjoying it as well. My husband documented the experience with a photo and joined me.

I’m not sure why the experience of trying new things excites me but it does. I love trying anything new, being brave enough to take on the challenge, appreciative enough to enjoy the experience, whether good or bad and then as excited to write about it.

I think my mind will carry me back to the two joyous days I swam off the coast of Italy anytime I see water. It also inspires me to swim in as many different oceans, lakes, and waterways for the rest of my life, tallying up the experience. Let me know where you swam and how it made you feel. I’m interested in your splash adventures too.