Today marked my first foray into the world of extreme adventures. Just moments after the initial horror of realizing I'd accidentally signed myself up to participate in the Polar Plunge, I realized that I would do it. No such thing as an accident and all that.

I worked this morning in Lakeville and then headed over to Jodi's to pick up Grey, who I'd dropped off this morning.

We went and got something lunch at Arby's and then headed to the "staging area" aka Brunswick bowl. The bus ride to the lake left us there at about 2:45 or so. I don't recall the exact time. But our timing was all off because our jump time ended up being 3:30 instead of 2:30.

Other than the logistics, I wasn't worried about it. My biggest concern was the certain knowledge that NO ONE looks good in a flying pig hat, and being I'm about as fat as I've ever been, I, in particular, do not. Again, OH WELL!

We got to the warming house and shed our outer clothing, stashing our dufflebags and whatever else we had and then posing for a few pictures. Holding hands with Alex, who was flanked by her mom, LeaAnn, I trudged over the walkway and through the legs of the inflated polar bear until I stood facing the yawning stretch of open water that had been carved in the lake. I was vaguely aware of someone saying something about Affinity Plusicles, and then there was a splash and the next thing I knew I was hurling myself into the frigid water.

The burning cold of the water took my breath away and I could hear Alex shrieking in my right ear. Reassured by her screams that she was still sentient enough to make noise, and I was still sentient enough to hear it, I hung on and hustled through what felt like a quarter of a mile of ice-cold water and slogged up the exit ramp. There was a moment when I was pulling my body from the water that I felt a sudden drag and exhaustion. It was the extra weight of my water-logged clothing. Also, it's cold. Really cold. Prior to actually jumping, I thought that the water temperature would be warmer than the air temperature, but at that moment, honestly, what difference does it make? It's like contemplating the difference between hitting your head repeatedly with a hammer or a monkey wrench. Either way, you'd just like it to stop.

In the few feet from the end of the exit ramp from the Hole - as I've come to see it - to the hot tubs, my body started to shiver. I mean really shiver. That sickening quivering feeling that you get when you've had four cups of coffee and no food and it's only eight a.m. A mix of adrenaline and hypothermia. The hot tubs were being vacated - not fast enough - by the previous group of jumpers - people I saw at that moment as a lazy bunch of bastards in my hot tub. "Get OUT!" was the insistent scream that echoed in my head. Wisely, they beat it and our group slid into the most blissful tub of hot water that I have ever been in. We hooted and high-fived. Alex voiced what I think we all were either consciously or subconsciously thinking: "I DID IT! I REALLY DID IT!"

After the hot tub, we zipped to the heated tent and while I was not completely oblivious to undressing in front of people I'd never really hoped to get naked with, it was not at the top of my list of things to worry about. Top two concerns: 1) Get out of these f'ing wet clothes and 2) get into those f'ing dry clothes. Nothing else really mattered at that point. I kind of wish there'd been a stop watch because I'm pretty sure that I set some kind of world record for fastest change of clothing.

We exited the tent and reunited with our now BFFs outside. A few more woo hoos and I headed to find my sister and her family. I remembered that we'd exchanged a "we'll meet here," and saw them waving from the coffee stand up on the hill. Warmed by my Olympic changing event, I waited in line for the bus to return us to the Bowling alley and then to our car. I have to admit that while I had experienced the kind of cold normally reserved for accident victims, I felt pretty sorry for the spectators. I had adrenaline to warm my blood. They had only each other and Caribou. That's only one reason I think that next year they should also jump. Gives you something to keep you warm! (Ironic, no?)

Anyway, Starbucks Chai and salmon at the Depot rounded out my evening and I now have a new appreciation for my electric blanket. (Don't worry Electric Blanket, I always appreciated you.)

It's a two dog, two cat night and I'm just happy to have lived to experience it!