Well, it happened again. This time, the tide was really low (that’s a good thing), but I couldn’t stay out a long time, because there was a frigid wind blowing. If the mud had been 10 degrees warmer, I could have just stayed immersed, but I was losing body heat, both in and out of the mud.
The images on this post are all from the aftermath of my feature adventure. The premise of my misadventure was that I was being chased, and trying to find a way out of the swamp. You should be able to determine from the pictures on this post, that I was unsuccessful. 🙂
This was my first full immersion of the year. I must say, the mud was a little too cold to really enjoy it as much as I normally would. It was still a good time.
I was worried about getting cleaned up in the cold water; especially since I would be borderline hypothermic by the time I got to a spot where I could immerse myself. As it turned out, the cleanup wasn’t too bad, even though the water was pretty cold. I put on an old, dry shirt for my trip out of the marsh. Between the protection afforded by the shirt, and my aggressive paddling, I had warmed up a bit by the time I got to a nice spot for washing off. I wish I would have shot video of the cleanup, but I was pretty focused on getting rinsed off and into dry clothes.
All in all, the trip was a good one. The mud was great. My only regret is that I wish I could have stayed out there longer. Spring is right around the corner, and things are warming up. Between now and June is usually some of my best sinking weather. The really hot summer weather brings it’s own hazards (more bugs, snakes, and alligators). Once the days are in the 70’s (> 22C), the cold is manageable.
On a side note: There is lots of moss again, this year. Given that water temps are close to normal, I have to assume the growth is the result of nutrient overload. It’s probably a combination of farm runoff and people fertilizing their yards. We’ve had a good deal of rainfall the past 2 years, so people use more fertilizer on their lawns, and more of it makes it to the estuary. It’s hard to say what sources are the biggest contributors, but it’s sad to see the algae take over. It depletes the dissolved oxygen in the water, choking out fish, and reducing biodiversity. I love my creek for more than just mudding. A thriving, healthy ecosystem is the underpinning of all life, including our own. It’s a lovely planet, and I hate to see it gasping for air.
Hi there; Just me the crazy storm chaser dude. Glad to see ya back for another crazy mudding season. I took advantage of the 70 deg. weather the other day and found a new mudding spot around Shallotte,NC. I got in some deep sticky grey clay, up to my nipples. Thought I had better stop as I still had my sneakers on and the mud was a bit cool yet. As cool as it was didnt want to risk hypothermia, plus had to clean up in the cool waters. Sure burned up some extra winter calories that day. Was quit a struggle to get back out, if I did go deeper to my neck, may have created a real problem. But sure felt good playing in the mud, sexual turn on and masturbation. Well Doug, you keep up the good work. You still looking as good as ever. Does one ever get to old to go sinking, I dont think so. Ill be 60 this year and still love it.
John
Hello, John. I’m glad to hear that you are still finding great places to sink. I share your concerns about the cold, but it’s getting harder to hold myself back. I just hope that the next heatwave coincides with the next super-great low tides!
I may never get too old to sink, but I might stop making movies. It’s a lot easier to go into the swamp without electronics. Also, I spend as much time editing as I do sinking. I probably won’t do that when I’m 60.
Then again, if we get 10cm of sea level rise in the next 10 years, I may not have much swamp left to sink in!
Hello John…
I’m 70 and I still enjoy sinking and wallowing. This rainy season has been a bust…we are in the midst of the second year of drought. Very frustrating, except for the coastal marsh not far from here.