Detroit to Dover - Experiences of an open water swimmer
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Sunshine. Game time.

8/19/2011

21 Comments

 
We had a beautiful morning swim, after Karen, Cheryl and Noah went for their runs. I swam two laps with Noah first and then two laps with Karen, just shy of two hours. The skies were blue and the air temperature was 17 degrees Celsius, or 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The water was 63 degrees F. We just got a call from pilot Andy, who said he took the first swimmer, Bill Bradley from San Francisco early this morning. He said there is a 90% chance that I will be swimming early tomorrow morning. Andy told us to give him a call at 7:30 p.m. tonight (our time) to talk more. This is now a resting and eating day. The crew is heading to the grocery store, Sainsbury's (it's not a Piggly Wiggly, but they do have orange shopping bags) for supplies. High tide for tomorrow is at 3:22 a.m. (5.97m), and low tide is 10:33 a.m. (1.62m). The next high tide is at 3:24 p.m. (6.08m) and low at 10:55 p.m. (1.69m). Sunrise at 5:53 a.m. (England time). Sunset tomorrow is 8:02 p.m.  Game time!

Use the link below to track my swim LIVE tomorrow. When you wake up tomorrow, I hope to be halfway done.
http://www.spotadventures.com/user/profile?user_id=75248

The crew has been very busy unpacking groceries, slicing canned peaches (heavy syrup), building and bagging sandwiches, alerting friends and family, packing our medical and clothing bags, fixing salmon and a fish native to Scotland for dinner. We ate rice, veggies, pasta, and fish for dinner while rockin' out to Van Morrison's Domino.
21 Comments
Chad Swindall
8/18/2011 10:57:46 pm

So is high tide or low tide better? Or neither? Good luck JD!!!

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Kate
8/19/2011 12:48:14 am

So excited for you JD!! Stay focused and strong and know that there are prayers coming your way constantly!! Most importantly, have fun:)

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Lana
8/19/2011 01:16:13 am

GO GO GO - So excited to wake up to this news this morning!

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Lynn Swindall
8/19/2011 01:20:35 am

Yay!! I am so excited! Go JD go! Putting my t-shirt on! :-)

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Jenny Davidson link
8/19/2011 01:45:33 am

Good luck!

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Vaughn Cooper
8/19/2011 01:48:21 am

JD,

Awesome! So inspiring! This makes 2.4mi seem even more trivial than it is. I'm looking forward to the tales of the day and the post-swim pastries.

The Cooper clan will be following closely, can't wait.

Bonne chance,
Vaughn

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Tim
8/19/2011 04:33:30 am

Go LaMachine Go! All the boys of Lake St. Clair wish you calm seas, gentle breeze and warm temps! U R Awesome!

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Jim Weyand
8/19/2011 06:17:06 am

Good luck! Hope to see you at Levagood before the end of summer so we can hear all about it (and listening will be way easier than swimming)

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Norm and Marian
8/19/2011 12:25:08 pm

We are so excited. Have had people in already asking if you are finished! We are telling them to go on line and watch. They did a news report on WKJC 104.7 this week in Tawas City on you. We will be on line tomorrow. SWIM SWIM SWIM.

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Coach
8/20/2011 12:30:24 am

Jenny, you are one amazing young lady. I have had the pleasure to watch you grow from a little youngster to the amazing person you have become!!!! All those days at BBD and Village are memories to cherish. Most people will only 'dream' throughout their life, but a few, like you, actually act upon those dreams and fulfill them. Way to go Jenny!!!! - coach

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Joe & Mimi Hoffman
8/20/2011 01:04:36 am

Jenny, we have been following you, praying for you, and cheering for you all morning. Congratulations, you did it!!!

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Carol Swindall
8/20/2011 01:15:15 am

Congratulations Jenny! Have been keeping track of your progress since hearing about it from Chad and Lynn the other day! So Very excited for you!

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Jane (Lynn's Sis-in-Law)
8/20/2011 01:55:07 am

Congratulations Jenny! Very exciting to watch this happen. Lynn sent me your blog a little while ago when you & friends swam St. Clair for CF...I have CF myself so thank you for doing that. What an accomplishment you have made... congratulations & enjoy!!!!

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Jessica
8/20/2011 02:16:33 am

congrats, JD! You did it! What an amazing accomplishment! I'm proud of you!

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Tom Dehn Dave & Mary
8/20/2011 02:43:09 am

WOW -- How amazing you must feel along with being very tired." You did it " What a great accomplishment. Congrats Jenny !! Hi to all your crew-- great job. Special hugs & kisses to Jeannette -- we miss you all.

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carolyn
8/20/2011 03:43:21 am

Was awake most of the night watching and thinking of you and your devoted crew. As I saw the GPS approach the sandy shore I could only imagine the emotion you experienced. Well done. As Coach expressed, few people make such dreams as yours into reality. Congratulations! Can't wait to hear about it and see your photos. Let the VACATION begin!

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Kate
8/20/2011 04:08:35 am

Congratulations JD, you are an incredible inspiration to us all:). Way to follow your dream and make it a reality. I've been praying for you and YOU MADE IT!!! Enjoy the rest of your once in a lifetime trip.

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Marian and Norm and Staff
8/20/2011 04:42:36 am

Your mom just called and left a message with staff. Wish I'd have talked with her. So excited here for you. I called John Morris at the Newspaper. Told everyone in the waiting room. Wow. What an experience and you are such a talented athelete! We all got goosebumps here. Go USA and Michigan! Thanks. REST REST REST and EAT! And Celebrate!

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Jeff T
8/20/2011 09:56:28 am

congrats. What an amazing accomplishment. Can't wait to hear all about it. Enjoy the rest of your stay.

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JP link
8/20/2011 10:10:11 am

Been thinking about this...maybe if you ever had a baby girl, you might name her Jane Louise, then she could be JL to your JD...just got a kick out of the name of the boat! Have fun exploring Dover Castle...and hope you get to Scotland! Had a thought about you coming over to speak...about staying IN PURSUIT of your dreams. L, JP

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Mickie
8/21/2011 12:06:54 am

Congratulations Jenny!!! How amazing! So many people will hear and read about this and will be truly inspired by your accomplishment. I bet that was the best pizza and ice cream ever. You did it!

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