FREEZING FOR A REASON

[dmiller]

Went to work today, at the group home, and one of the clients (Larry)

wanted to go to the Polar Bear Plunge, down at Lake Superior.

None of the other staff at the house wanted to go stand in the cold, so I went.

We saw lots of folks we knew there, and some were actually jumping in.

The *plunge* benefits the Special Olympics up here.

You get sponsors to donate money, if you jump in the lake.

FYI -- Lake Superior *hovers* (year round) at around 34 degrees.

Snow was falling, and temps were dropping --- (22 degrees at 3pm)

Here's some pics, from a coupla years ago (we were there for that one too).

Here is the *crew* who were in the water for the entire time.

Today -- one of those guys in the wet-suit, came out of the water, stood by us, and said "I'm sweating!"

Dang!

(and yes -- that is ice they are standing on, and a big chunk had to be cut out

so they could jump in. Brrrrrr!!!!

Edited February 12, 2006 by dmiller

[dmiller]

[Linda Z]

At least they're doing it for a good cause. Here in Cleveland (and in other cities) there's a Polar Bear Club whose members do this just for FUN!

[ChasUFarley]

There's a group in York Beach, Maine who do it every New Year's Day - it's a major event here. Some do it for a cause - I think United Way - but some do it because they want to :blink: -- NO WAY! CRAZ-ZEEEEEEEEE!