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| Lake Padden just before sunrise |
Although it's Thursday, and the fact that a hike was scheduled for today (even if it was a short one to Fragrance Lake), I decided instead to join the Fairhaven walking group for our traditional loops around the lake and a potluck. I knew that it would be a wonderful gathering with a bunch of women I really enjoy being with, and we even had a man join us for a change. When we got there early, we were the only people around.
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| Toasting in the new year |
We will have the occasional man show up among all the women, but they usually don't return for a second trip, for some reason. It was clear and very cold, around 25 when this picture was taken, but we had already made one loop around the lake (2.6 miles) and Cindy's wonderful hot chocolate and mocha coffee was being enjoyed with our other goodies before some of us headed around for a second lap. We knew that the New Years Day festivities would begin at 11:00am, starting with a run or walk around the lake and then the Polar Bear Plunge.
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| Bubbles in the sunshine |
People started to arrive around 10:30, and this wonderful bubble machine was set up, which made for some really nice photos. Many of the people who showed up walked or ran around the lake, but instead I went out looking for pictures. I saw that there was some ice on the lake, and the kids were having fun with it.
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| Not very thick, but still |
I chatted with some people while I was waiting for the Plunge to begin. I thought I'd find a safe place to capture some pictures without being in danger of being pushed in by the crowd. You can see that most were waiting until the very last minute to strip down to bathing suits in the picture below, but there were more people stripping down and lining up every time I turned around.
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| The wind picked up right about 10 minutes before the Plunge |
Most of the people in this picture will go into the water, but if you do the plunge, you must have a team on hand to help, someone to hold your clothes at the last minute and someone to take pictures, of course! And then it was time, with the guy on the loudspeaker announcing 1 minute left.
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| I've got a good spot for pictures |
I thought I should try to take a video with my camera as they took off, but it didn't work. I forgot to press "play" and then when I realized my mistake, I went back to taking pictures, but most of the BEST ones had a very annoying gloved thumb right in front of the camera!!
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| Splash and scream |
You can see that even this picture has a thumb in the upper left corner, and that's after having cropped most of the picture. Sigh. I've got to figure out how to train myself to check that I'm not doing that. Of course, I was all excited and trying to get the action before it went away. But it was still fun, and I learned a lot! And no, I would not have wanted to be one of these people today. Brrrr! However, it certainly is a memorable way to ring in a new year. Happy New Year to everyone!
:-)
neat that they challenge themselves to do that, but i think i'll pass! the chill in your bones would stay for a long time, i'm afraid! :)
ReplyDeleteI guess someone should get their thumb out of your photos. :-)
ReplyDeleteTom and I got a 3.75 mile walk in the sunshine this morning, but not nearly as early as yours.
We are now watching the Rose Bowl, rooting for Oregon. A ham is baking in the oven. Jill and the kids are here to start the new year with us.
Brrr. Nope. Never gonna do that. My fingers keep getting in the way, too, but you still have some nice shots. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI love it. And would have joined in.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year DJan. A very, very happy New Year.
I got a shiver just looking at those folks! Happy New Year, DJan.
ReplyDeleteSome people are so brave or should I say mad! Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteOkay are they crazy? Interesting motivation, DJan for these folks who will brave the cold, cold water. I think you girls in the walking group probably are wearing out the guys....they can't keep up!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff to do on a New Year's Day. I'd be excited too waiting for this event to take place. It could be worse. It could be here where we have about 18 in of ice.
ReplyDeleteI'm more of a polar bear plunge spectator than a participant! I'm sure it was fun to watch. I drove to the Oregon coast and took some photos this afternoon. I walked too much for my still-recovering foot, but it was great to be out again. Happy New year!
ReplyDeleteYou had a great day! Did anyone talk to the poor man that showed up...he might have been lonely or looking for a companion!
ReplyDeleteI need to buy some bubbles...looks like a fun thing to photograph!
I don't think I would want to go in that cold water...but it looks like it was a good turn out! Happy New Year to you and Smart Guy:)
A Polar Bear Plunge have never been, nor would it ever be, on my Bucket List! Brrrr. I take my hat off to the people who wanted to take the plunge. I'm cold just looking at the pics. (Wimp.)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful and beautiful 2015! Thanks for all the great photos and your endless energy. You inspire me.
xo jj
So nice and sunshiny! Energizing enough, perhaps, to have inspired me to get around the lake once, but not twice, I think. And certainly not sunshiny enough for me to get wet all over. I guess I admire those who "plunge," but maybe I just wonder about them...
ReplyDeleteCOOL photos, eh. Ww have much of the the polar bear dip taking place around here too, but I would never be a participant. There just something very chilling about taking your clothes almost off and jumping in the bay of fundy in the winter. However, I have attended the events and it is a lot of fun to watch an help hold blankets and towels for those coming outta that water. Nice Post DJan.
ReplyDeleteY'all wouldn't catch me doing that!!! Crazy.
ReplyDeleteBut you got some 'telling' photos...wow. Cold, I'll go for the hot chocolate please.
Not something I would want to do, either! Such brave, hearty souls.
ReplyDeleteIt is harder to do things like take pictures when it is 25 degrees with wind chill factor. It just is. ;)
Don't think I'd ever be inclined to jump into icy water... (unless the ship was going down). But kudos to those who do! That picture of the kid holding that ice sheet was pretty neat.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I thought you might be such a daring soul but glad you had the good sense to document rather than participate. So glad you got in a walk. You should happily be back on schedule next week.
ReplyDeleteWow, now that is something I will definitely not do. Lol.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
We have a Freezin for a Reason around here to raise funds for cystic fibrosis. I make a donation, but do not take the plunge.
ReplyDeleteYikes! It looks cold!! Happy new year to you, DJan.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great collection of images here, DJan. I absolutely love the one of the little boy holding the thin plate of ice. His face reflects wonder.
ReplyDeleteMy niece did the Polar Bear plunge for quite a few years on the northern shores of Lake Erie. I'm always amazed how many people will show up and jump into the water in minus double digit (C) weather. Then again, some people will jump out of airplanes. ;)
I love your New Year's Day photos. Kudos to you for getting out and taking those pictures. Although I did run out for awhile on New Year's Day, it was nothing as adventuresome as your trek.
ReplyDeleteWe have a friend who participates in a Polar Plunge in Cayucos which is on the central coast of California. I'm sure the water where you are is much colder, but it matters not, it is something I have no desire to do anywhere.
This looks like a fun celebration. I'm amazed at how green the ground is there! And open water, what a treat. :) Our boys have been doing a lot of ice fishing throughout December on local lakes. Currently they're out in the Dakotas pheasant hunting, Mitch took our three oldest and one nephew there early on the 31st. It's been a quiet few days here!
ReplyDeleteI really can't see the glove, DJan. You got great action shots. I feel a chill just looking at the photos though.
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely a FUN way to start the new year! I'm afraid I was a bit tired from dancing the night away... so I settled for a lovely walk along the beach here in the warm sunlight ager a yummy New Year's day lunch.
ReplyDeletecame back to say congrats on your POTW!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your POTW!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a POTW nod! I have never, even in most delirious states, even considered doing one of those plunges. MY WIFE, on the other hand, gets a far away look - one might even say "pining" - whenever they show the local festivities on Boston TV. She is, of course, a very sick woman (she married me, after all.)
ReplyDelete