Ice pleasures
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Marla and Madeline will likely be ticked off with me – Tez will just be plain mad, yet I have to share their secret. The bestest, most funner, super-duperest thing one can possibly do this time of year is go for an early morning skate at Stuart Park.
It is living proof that not everything wonderful has to cost you a bunch of money.
Last year Tez joined an outdoor walking group for Saturday morning sojourns. The eclectic crew, led by leader Marla, boldly ventures out for two-hour walks around the community picking different routes. Quite often their travels include ‘rails for trails’ sections, parks, waterfront pathways, and even regional routes such as Paul’s tomb.
Of late the new collection of strangers have been opening their adventures to different modes of travel including paddle boards and a planned snowshoe scenario. An excellent group, with safety in numbers, the weekend ritual has nicely evolved in numbers and friendships.
A true sense of camaraderie has made palatable the dragging of bodies out of bed at an ungodly hour on a weekend morning just to exercise. The regular routine has resulted in a number of great memories for Tez already in just a short time period. Naturally various conversations and situations have inspired a bountiful amount of chuckles and laughter as the mittful of friends connect.
The joy in this new part of her life is wonderful to watch as Tez attempts to explain to me the satisfaction and pleasure the weekend adventures bring her. Without question her favourite involves the early morning skates. Her small group of four or five get there as soon as the outdoor ice rink is open.
The ice is unblemished with a fresh layer of ice glistening and sparkling in the early morning light.
“It’s beautiful Charlie with the steam rising off the rink and the sun dancing on the lake and up onto the ice. With the Christmas lights on it’s even better – but just the sure peace and beauty of the morning is breathtaking. We can relax on the bench or firepits and then head over to get a hot chocolate or a coffee at the Yacht Club coffee shop and watch the others show up and skate. It’s the best! It’s just a marvel,” Tez grins with pleasure.
New acquaintances Marla, Madeline, Roxanne, Donna, and Heather, are already now friends Tez has made, She invited Val into the walking group and the circle continues to grow. As time moves on I am sure new ladies will come and go from the Saturday morning adventurer’s club but already it has inspired health and happiness for several and all of it for free – or close to it.
We often bemoan how we can’t afford to do anything or have any fun yet all it takes is a little effort, imagination, creativity or inspiration. As a kid those traits are almost automatic and ingrained. As we get older it seems we somehow have to be reminded. Thank goodness for the Marla and Madeleines of the world who initiate the first step in stepping up and stepping out.
As a child I lived on the Maude Roxby property on Abbott Street and could literally walk in the snow from my house to the frozen edges of Okanagan Lake and little bay area. It was a sheltered, shallow area and so froze well enough to be safe. The neighbourhood kids skated and played shiny there for a couple months each year and I practically lived there. I never had more fun – in fact it ranks among my favourite childhood memories. When Tez expressed her joy I completely understood.
I might just bundle up one day and drive down to watch her when the group next hits the rink.
How blessed are we in the Okanagan four seasons playground.
