Soaking in Nature, Literally
On getting doused with the lake's own Gatorade bucket, plus the weekly market sked
Soaking in Nature
As someone who was picked on a fair amount when I was a kid, I learned early on that self-deprecating humor is a non-lethal form of self-defense. When you make fun of yourself, you may just be beating someone to the punch. And it is unlikely, though not impossible, that you’ll hurt your own feelings.
That’s why I feel comfortable telling this tale about how I made a little misjudgment during a walk by Lake Michigan late Friday afternoon, and how nature decided to make an ass of me for it.
I love it when those strong east winds are kicking up big waves on the lake near Belmont Harbor. We look down on the harbor and lakefront from our apartment, and I could see on Friday that the waters were pretty choppy. It being the end of a long day at the end of a long week, I decided to take a stroll and check things out.
I know the lake and its moods well and I always keep a respectful distance when the lake is angry, my friend. I was walking on the lowest level next to the lake; not near the edge — I’m not a complete idiot — but at the base of that concrete terrace known as a revetment.
The waves were breaking unthreateningly at the shoreline, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw a wave that was coming in hot… and right at me. There was no time to run, and all I could do was brace myself and hope. But the wave was relentless, and I got drenched, from about the middle of my chest down to my shoes, which temporarily became Lake Left Foot and Lake Right Foot.
Since I was never much of an athlete, I’d never been the subject of a postgame celebration. So I am just going to regard this incident as nature’s own Gatorade bucket dump.
Nonetheless, I was determined to get my exercise steps in, even in my squishy shoes and socks, and get some photos, which are above and below. It really is an amazing experience, and I’ll do it again. But I won’t forget to keep a safer distance from now on.
This week’s Chicago farmers market schedule is below the photos.
Lol. Same thing has happened to me. Probably at the same location 😂