WOW! Great job!
For someone who does not have a swimming background... going out to swim 3.25+ miles can be very scary and daunting! You took on the task with a smile on your face and from the sounds of it had a great attitude!
2:23 without any nutrition or water? Ok, maybe lake water
... but still. That's a long time. I get cotton mouth from swimming an hour without anything.
Great job on on getting out there and doing it! And having to sight off of landmarks... HARD!!!!
Congratulations on doing it!
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside thoroughly used-up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW WHAT A RIDE!!!!"