I did it!

Great timing having this Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day.  Because it actually sounded funny after a couple of drinks the night before to see how many friends would be up for it.  You know what happens next.  In the morning you wonder, "Were they serious?  Are we really going to go jump in the lake?" Then you wait to see if the phone starts ringing.  It did.

I had managed to get my dancing feet out of bed and the confetti out of my hair well enough to get into the gym by 10am.  (Sidenote: do not play squash when hungover).  During this brief hour is when friends started calling and leaving messages, "Oh, guess we're not going for the plunge, you're not there, ok, no go."  As if I'M going to chicken out!  After a few callbacks, I was able to rally two true-to-their-word friends (hooray to Danielle and Soner!). 

What a fun event!  And so many people did it- little kids, elderly, you name it and they were there in bathing suits and smiles running for the frigid water.  Check out the pics.  It wasn't as bad as I expected. It was surprisingly refreshing, actually, and I'd highly recommend it after a late night of libations.  Part of the deal is that you've got to get your head completely wet - and when the 48 degree water hit the top of my hair a sudden lighting bolt of heat zapped my whole body.  There was no wind, so getting out was ok even when it took me a few minutes to find my 3 1/2 year old towel holder.  Steve (who was standing in his fleece taking pictures) thinks we should make this an annual family tradition.  I'm up for it.  See you next year?  Happy 2007 from us to you, Kirkland.   ~Janis

Comments

[Jeff Barr]

Feel free to invite us along for next year. We've done the plunge from the other side of the lake a couple of times.

[Janis]

Jeff, alright, I'll be counting on you next year. My friend, Danielle, called me this morning and thanked me for making her go yesterday. I never realized this whole sub-culture existed! J