other options for open water swims?

Dave, I'm 53 and started my swimming "career" 9 years ago. So far I have stuck to Rhode Island... I swam in the Med on travel in 2004 and 2006, though. I swim with Fred Bartlett's big group on Sundays at Narragansett Beach, and try to get in a couple of swims a week at 2nd beach in Newport after they stop charging. (415PM) The rougher the water the more I like it. I prefer not to wear a wetsuit. I have done the Misquamicut open water race (a little shallow and brackish), and the leading leg of the FIRMman tri at Narragansett, and was at the inaugural 1 mile turnaround swim at Narrow River this year. I swim with some guys who have done Mashpee. We do a couple of 1.9 milers, from 1st to 2nd beach around easton's point, in the early morning. Swam one in the fog this year and had to hug the coast. Five of us stayed right together. I swim into November each year; those are strange and wonderful swims. (I use a neoprene cap and booties as well as a farmer john wetsuit once we're into the cold stuff). Cold water is dangerous without support, so we put someone on the beach who stays even with us, plus I never swim alone. I sold a drawing this past year for enough money to do save the bay, so I will finally enter that race this year. (The entry fee has always held me back, and I don't like asking people for money.... even when they always ask me if I "do" save the bay. Besides, they might give me a hard time about how slow I am..) Thanks for askin....

Dave, I'm 53 and started my swimming "career" 9 years ago. So far I have stuck to Rhode Island... I swam in the Med on travel in 2004 and 2006, though. I swim with Fred Bartlett's big group on Sundays at Narragansett Beach, and try to get in a couple of swims a week at 2nd beach in Newport after they stop charging. (415PM) The rougher the water the more I like it. I prefer not to wear a wetsuit. I have done the Misquamicut open water race (a little shallow and brackish), and the leading leg of the FIRMman tri at Narragansett, and was at the inaugural 1 mile turnaround swim at Narrow River this year. I swim with some guys who have done Mashpee. We do a couple of 1.9 milers, from 1st to 2nd beach around easton's point, in the early morning. Swam one in the fog this year and had to hug the coast. Five of us stayed right together. I swim into November each year; those are strange and wonderful swims. (I use a neoprene cap and booties as well as a farmer john wetsuit once we're into the cold stuff). Cold water is dangerous without support, so we put someone on the beach who stays even with us, plus I never swim alone. I sold a drawing this past year for enough money to do save the bay, so I will finally enter that race this year. (The entry fee has always held me back, and I don't like asking people for money.... even when they always ask me if I "do" save the bay. Besides, they might give me a hard time about how slow I am..) Thanks for askin....