EXTRA EXTRA,
Read all about it!


Yes, our swim was published in the Peninsula Gateway on July 2, 2008, the week after the swim occurred. Congratulations to all involved!

Swimmers Escaped to
...Point Richmond Beach!

Five crazy adults (and 3 crazy kids) really escaped to Pt Richmond Beach during the Escape to Point Richmond 2nd Annual open water swim. The event began at the Jane Macready retreat, "The Loafsalot", on Vashon Island at about 5:15pm. Dozens of spectators awaited on the shoreline feasting on a potluck while they waited for swimmers to arrive.

(click on collage to enlarge).

2008 Swimmers

Fins 1 Mile

Name...................... Time.........Previous
1) Larry Burr......... 32:04............. -
2) Brett Walter...... 32:43.........58:04
3) Peter Bortel....... 35:14.........58:32

No Fin 1 Mile
Name..................... Time........ Previous

1) Steve Rees....... 35:57............45:01
2) Tesa Johnson.. 44:48........1:02:21

Youth Swim (100 yard)
Name...................... Time

1) Daniel Rees ........2:50

2) Noah Johnson....2:58

3) Julia Rees......... .6:23

Escape to Point Richmond Beach
2nd Annual open water swim.

What new swimmers will enter the event this year?
Will Tesa's new wetsuit give her the "edge" she needs to win?
Will the swimmers all be pronounced crazy... again?
Will Steve "the metronome" be able to retain his title?
What will Brett's pick up line be this year?
Which Shore will Peter end up on?

...June 28th 2008 5pm on the beach

STAY TUNED FOR UPDATE ON THE 2nd ANNUAL ESCAPE TO PT. RICHMOND BEACH OPEN WATER SWIM.

TENTATIVELY DATE/TIME:

SAT 28 June 2008 5PM

2008 Comes in like a Polar Bear..Swim!
This years swimmers: Dave Langworthy, Kyle Mahony, Lane Landry, Julia Rees, Brett Walter, Peter Bortel, Annie Johnson, Calvin Luce, Daniel Rees, Paula Schrader, Jeff Focht, Carol Winge, and Steve Rees - hey thats me!

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Daniel Rees as Captain Toilet Plunger, above, fearlessly leaps into 2008!
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Neighbors and friends gather in anticipation of what is about to occur.


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Apparently air and water do mix! Carol Winge prepares to dive in dressed as an aerobics instructor.



Interesting Shorts Calvin!

Announcements:

Polar Bear Swim January 1, 2008 12PM at the Rees pilings.

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Preliminary plan for:

Second Annual Swim across Colvos Passage:
"The Escape TO Point Richmond Open Water Swim." July 26, 2008, 4:30PM.
(Alternate date is June 27 at 5:30PM)

Yes we did have an annual picnic and meeting in September. Below are a few pictures provided by Ken Warter

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DO YOU NOTICE SOMEONE MISSING?

...that would be you! We have been waiting for you down at the "pit." Please drop by sometime for a drink, Hor d'oeuvres, or just to chat. We have seats reserved... just for you!

The FISH are... IN!


Send in your fish pictures! We want to hear your fish stories!













Now that's what I'm talking about!







Note: At first glance I there was no doubt Sally's was the biggest by far. But when I looked closer, as it turned out, Katie's (top photo) was just a li-ttle bigger. See for yourself (above).

1st Annual Escape From Vashon Swim a chilling Success!
6 swimmers successfully completed the crossing from Vashon Island to Point Richmond today when this first known swim across the frigid waters of Colvos Passage was held. Before the swimmers entered the water Wren Huggins, the team psychologist, declared the entire group of swimmers "crazy." Neighbors were invited to help out and did a great job making the event go smoothly and even more fun with their enthusiasm! After the swimmers were in a lunch of chili (both carnivore and veggie) and cornbread was served on the lawn by the finish line.

Behind the scenes neighbors and staff members worked on food prep, setup, safety paddlers, photographers, even a standby nurse, and operated power boats to guide swimmers and keep passing speeding boats at a safe distance.

Pictured at the top of this entry are the inaugural swimmers wearing their survivor shirts from left to right; Steve "the metronome" Rees, Wren "dilly-dally*" Huggins, Brett "why yes, I am available" Walters, Peter "black turtle" Bortel with daugther Sarah, and Tesa "give me a blanket" Johnson. Below is Heather "direct finish line" Pennington, running to... the finish line (not present for the group photo).
*Note: It has been suggested that team psychologist Wren, who came in dead last (by about an hour) did this intentionally so that the other swimmers could "feel good" about their times!

Special thanks to the staff members!

Showing off their staff shirts are Pam Brower (all around support), Harry Hovey (yacht skipper), Daniel Rees (side entertainment), Joyce Winge (paddler, and all around support) and Karen Warter (photographer). Not shown but also provided support to the group were Gordon Thorne (event safety and PR) , Linda (nurse), Al Brower (row boat support), Frank Schrader (inflatable power support), and Paula Schrader (timekeeper), and all the safety paddlers.

ATTENTION: NEW WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION! STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO! Humor has it that HTML code is a lot like the DaVinci Code, I haven't cracked it yet but I think I am getting close!

Diver Tames Wolf Eel!

Neighbor, scuba diver, and eel trainer Peter Bortel is shown working with wolf eel buddies at Day Island wall - south of the Narrows bridge. Photos were taken in approximately 80 feet of water.

4th of July again the busiest day of the year for Pt. Richmond Beach!
Just take a look at the photo above and you'll get an idea of how many people came to our Beach to visit friends, the coolness of the water, food, fireworks. One couple even came to announce their engagement to be married!





Jeremy and fiance Mardie Rees(right) embrace after being hosed down with champagne!

Joyce and Rick (left) enjoying the afternoon.



PS. Paddle boat race was cancelled due to windy conditions in the evening.

Great Find at Playa de la Clampett!

Kids remove graffiti from one of the best flotsam finds to date! Recent retrieval of this jumbo sized picnic table came not a moment too soon with all the upcoming upcoming summer festivities! This year the tally includes 2 crab pots and this fine table. Past years finds included a paddle boat 2 8x8 floating platform segments, usable propane tank, towable board/teeter totter and several crab pots. Hello Playa de la Clampett!

July 2 Declared S'moe Night on the beach

Kids gathered around the pit and it became obvious what must be done; bring out the s'mores!



Meanwhile, Al shows children one of his advanced marshmallow roasting techniques.

Paddle boat race to take place on July 4th

A few nights ago, neighbor kids had practice paddle boat race in preparation for the second annual paddle boat race to take place on July 4th. This year it is expected that there will be 3 entries in the event, which will occur some time prior to the fireworks extravaganza.

Opening Day
Yesterday was the summer solstice or, first day of summer, and the opening day for summer activity on the beach. Here are a few shots snapped during the afternoon and evening.

Upper left: New trampoline in action

Right: A boy and his dog...fish*

Lower left: The sun-pit crew




*Note: the fish made it all the way to the kitchen before dad discovered it and tossed it out the door. I witnessed the toss back to the beach!

Who Knew?

How could anyone have known that the new trampoline would arrive on the beach at the precise moment that the Wicked Witch of the East would be passing through the area?

Rumor has it that the Wicked Witch of the East (WWE) was returning from a visit with her sister the Wicked Witch of the West (WWW) when the accident occurred. It not well understood why witches sometimes travel at low altitudes when commuting. The disposition of the ruby slippers is unknown, however speculation has it that either one of the vandal river otters (previous topic) or Jake, the dog who lives next door, made off with them after the accident. Who knew?

This is Our Home!

Below is a recent offshore photo taken of our little piece of paradise! Just as a reminder there are only 20 more shopping days 'til the 4th of July!

Announcing the First Annual "Escape from Vashon" open water swim!! (note: DATE CHANGE!)Mark your calender for this historic event!

Place: Point Richmond Beach Pilings

Time: 10:00AM Saturday July 21, 2007


Instructions: Gather at 9:15AM by the pilings. Swimmers will be transported over to Vashon Island where the race will begin at 10:00AM sharp. All swimmers must have safety paddler with an orange flag. Swim is 1 statute mile (not including current).

All swimmers will be treated to warmth upon completion and maybe a t-shirt (if I can find someone to come up with one).

RSVP to Steve

Note on the previous post: Like most retailers, Walmart has a customer satisfaction policy. Such was the fate of Sam the dog. He has been returned to his breeder in Idaho. Some things just weren't meant to be!

Newest resident on Beach, a Dog!

Frank Schrader proudly holds Sam, an 8 week old pointer poodle puppy. Some have suggested that the dog was named after Sam Walton club superstore, which happens to be Franks favorite place to shop. So far Frank has denied a connection between the dogs name and the discount retailer.

Sam was recently acquired on a trip Frank took to Idaho to "look" at PP puppies.





Sam->

Congratulations Chuck and Lois!



Chuck and Lois Celebrate 60th wedding Anniversary!

Pilings Developing Personalities?

The new pilings have been on the beach for almost a year now. It seems that they are beginning to develop their own personalities as evidenced in the photo below. 'Nuff said.

Extra, Extra! Polar Bear swim takes place on January 1, 2007 at Point Richmond Beach!

Ok, so I am a little late posting the Polar Bear swim photos. Left, the line up of swimmers ready to go off the outer piling. Right, Carol Winge with the only costume entry in the swim - she wore a scarf and mittens for warmth!







Right below, Julia Rees does a Canon ball with pony tail to stir up the water (and maybe to get Brett wet). Spectators and swimmers enjoy Hor doerves under the unbrella.
















We were sorry that Cinde Dolphin was not able to attend the event due to her polar bear suit being at the cleaners.

Seals Everywhere!
It seems that it was just last month that I reported a seal floating by on a piece of styrofoam - that was last fall! Again seals are doing funny things. I saw one float by balanced on a foam filled tire yesterday and now this; a seal cuddled up on my outdrive! Go figure!

Cowabunga, Flotsam Surfing! (or board boarding)
Point Richmond tow team members Brett and Daniel take surfing to a new level with Brett's newest brainstorm idea; flotsam surfing! This amazing new sport is full of twists and turns! Here is how you do it; you drive around in a boat and look for some debris in the water, preferably something flat enough that you can stand on it, throw our a rope, hop on and away you go!