Why USMS if you swim alone? Virtual Swim Teams?

Another thread has provided lots of food for thought about the value (or not) of joining Masters Swimming. I have lived in several areas with great Masters swim teams and joining was a no brainer. Fitness, competition, insurance (as I recently learned), and a social life are all reasons to participate. However, I now live in an area where I swim alone, and after reading messages on this forum, I find that there are a whole lot of us out here in the same boat. I have joined Masters but every year I ask myself WHY? I guess am doing it to support the organization but I really don't think I am getting anything out of it. One thought that comes to mind as I swim hour after hour by myself is that we should somehow take advantage of the web to not only create "virtual swims", but "virtual swim TEAMS" for those of us who would like to be a part of a group. We could check for workouts, discuss local events, provide personal support. Maybe a nationwide group is not the answer, but perhaps we could break down into States or areas. I realize that there would be plenty of logistical problems such as "coaches", workouts, etc. But as someone mentioned in the other thread, perhaps just a place to log in your distance and compare it with others in your State would be helpful. Maybe something as small as that could motivate some of us out here in the hinterlands to keep swimming when there is no one to keep us going. Just a thought.......... :rolleyes: barb