We Believe in Santa Claus

So says the sign that hangs in the warming house at the Tenney Park Pond.

I went ice skating for the first time this season tonight. I had intended to go during the winter break, but it got too warm during the week, and the ice was slushy. But the conditions were great tonight. Cold, but not so cold that one's face would freeze with a little exposure. The ice had mostly been cleared of snow, and while it wasn't the nicest, slickest ice ever, it was clear enough to serve the purpose.

Enough people were out that the dark pond didn't seem lonely, yet not so many that I had to dodge crazed hockey players, flailing sticks, and errant pucks, which is A-OK in my book.

I really love skating, especially outdoor pond skating. Somehow a rink just doesn't do it for me. At least, it doesn't feel quite the same. I love the flying feeling and the sound of the crunch/scrape of the blades on the ice.

I did have to keep my outing brief. It takes a bit to get my legs used to it, and if I overdo it right away I end up with blisters on my ankles and aching shin muscles. I can go a little bit longer each time.

One thing I do find interesting is that I know so few people who ice skate. Even people who have lived all their lives in Wisconsin tell me "I've never skated" or "I haven't skated in forever." What's up with that?

Now, I have no problem going and doing things like this on my own, but I find it amusing. How can you grow up in Wisconsin and never skate? True, I've never skied, but my response to that is that I am poor and skis (and skiing) aren't cheap. The skates I have now were given to me years ago as a charity-type Christmas present. I supposed someday I may try cross county skiing, which doesn't require that I spend a lot of money at a ski slope. There is also less chance of my klutz factor sending me tumbling down a hill.

One thing I do really want to do, and haven't been able to in a while is sledding and tobogganing. Whee! I'd love to go sometime this year if I could find a sled to use.

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This page contains a single entry by Kayjayoh published on January 6, 2005 7:42 PM.

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