When winter boredom sets in, don’t you wish the Winter Olympics took place every year? There’s nothing like watching other people exercise to inspire us all.
We spectators used to achieve similar exploits — though if someone tattled to Mom, we got in trouble.
My siblings and I rode sleds, standing up, into icy creek beds. We skated across frozen lakes. When ice c-r-r-a-acked under me once, I set Olympic records, darting to shore.
Image by Julius H. from Pixabay.
A skinny kid taking skating lessons, my husband risked life and limbs lifting a girl twice his weight. She informed him that he risked her life and limbs.
Self-preservation instincts grew with us. My winter daring-do ceased at 21 when I tubed down a mountain. Somersaulting, I received a black eye. Two weeks before my wedding.
Despite that cure, I still crave occasional winter excitement.
But how can anyone — other than fish — consider ice fishing exciting? Nevertheless, while hiking near a frozen lake where we’ve kayaked during summer, Hubby and I saw a subdivision of huts on the ice.
Though fishermen didn’t jump into the lake. Polar dips flourish everywhere!
Some adventurers in Michigan’s Upper Penninsula and Minnesota achieve a rush climbing frozen waterfalls.
Image by Simon from Pixabay.
An international solution to winter boredom: wok racing, which originated not in China, but in Austria and Germany. Competitors sometimes reach 100 mph. The wok-er who borrows his equipment from wife or mother faces the wrath of a woman deprived of cookware — and no dinner.
Skijoring, popular in the U.S., Canada, Norway and Russia, sounds friendlier because a horse or dog pulls a skier through snow and ice. This pastime reminds me of my eight-year-old efforts to harness my dog — or little sister — to pull me in a wagon. My ride ended under the overturned wagon, with bumped heads and bruised knees for everyone.
A souped-up version with Fido or Seabiscuit might prove less appealing.
While I enjoy cycling, fat-tire racing on ice doesn’t tempt me. As for motorcycle racing on the ice — forget the helmet. Wear a suit of padded armor!
Instead, when the Olympics finally come around again, I’ll even follow curling. After all, how could such a wild, wonderful sports event exist without spectators?
Spectators who experience the thrill. The pageantry. The soft, safe sofa.
Sufficient winter excitement for me.
Image by Alexa from Pixabay.
Your Extraordinary Ordinary: What’s your favorite winter sport? Why?
