Our little adventure out over the coral reefs a few weeks ago convinced me that I needed a new mask and snorkel. I usually just wear goggles when I swim, but I had to spend a lot of time popping my head out of the water to breathe and missed the views below. So I got a new optical mask at Sports Authority, with a pink snorkel, first time to ever purposely buy a pink anything- I thought it would be fun and different!
Unfortunately I discovered that once I was used to swimming with goggles, the mask and snorkel were stifling for me. I’ll definitely use them, don’t get me wrong, but will reserve them for actual snorkeling adventures and not everyday swimming like Jim uses them for.
I learned an important lesson: that I really love the freedom of goggles. I like to feel the water on my face and feel my lips in the water. The mask and snorkel restricted my head movement, slowed my stroke down, and made the experience a little rough going. When I put my goggles on the next day, it was like the difference between skinny-dipping and wearing a full armor of clothing in the water. There is just something freeing about feeling the water against your skin!