After an eight and a half month wait, the 2023 East End Pool swim season is open again! It started on Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend and we had three great weather days for doing laps and splashing it up in the waters. What a relief for those of us who thrive in that pool.
The powers that be at the Elmhurst Park District have taken measures to appease the many women who do ‘water walking’ in the shallow end of the pool. They put up an extra lane with a floating barrier so the walkers are not infringed on by younger swimmers thrashing in that area.
Also, in the five-foot deep swim area, for the first hour of the swim day (which is only open to us season pass holders) there are extra lap lanes. This makes me happy since the first thing I do in the drink is get in my non-stop laps. I started my first day with 24 laps and am increasing that number by two more laps each day. I’ll be up to swimming more than a mile a day in no time.
EAST END POOL IN ELMHURST IS BACK OPEN FOR THE SUMMER AND LIFE IS GOOD!
The day before the swim season started. I got my “summer buzz hair-cut” which is low maintenance and may have to be repeated in late July or early August. I’m also using some new spray on 50 SPF sunscreen courtesy of my parody song writing partner Al Flash. He got some extras from his work in corporate sales. So, no sunburn for me and my face, arms and chest are already starting to cook up a tan.
Some of the usual swim regulars have shown up and it’s good to see them again. They’re my summer family. Sadly, one person who is missing is my good pal Paul who suffered a stroke in April. After emergency surgery he spent time at a rehabilitation summer and continues to recover at a nearby nursing home. I’ve visited Paul twice and will continue to do so as we hope he can eventually make it to East End for some time in the water. My heart aches for my friend and I miss talking sports, movies and music with him. Paul’s mate Jill hasn’t been to the pool yet but she has plenty of things to tend to. I look forward to seeing her soon.
For the days when it rains, I’m still locked in with my pass to The Courts Plus gym so I can still get in my swim time. There’s just something about moving around in the pool that lifts me both physically and mentally. Heck, I am an Aquarius and that IS a water sign.
In three weeks, my weekend and end of the weekday swimming will transcend into full time late morning-early afternoon pool time every single day. There are more East End Pool regulars who still need to show up for the summer and I look forward to seeing and hanging with them as well.
Happy Summer to one and all!
NEXT BLOG: Pooling more thoughts together.