Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Splash a la 2012

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.

5 comments:

Mom C said...

I love the comparison of Watch Hill from you and Kaanapali Beach from Jacquie - great posts both. love, mom

Me, You, or Ellie said...

Yes, one group of peeps is sane, whereas the others? Well, not so much! Brrr.

Although, 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

Me, You, or Ellie said...

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.

E.

(And Yay, Beth!)

Me, You, or Ellie said...

Wait a minute, did Mistah not swim? What da?

Your 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

Me, You, or Ellie said...

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*."

So 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.