See \u00a0how I put the date in the title? \u00a0As though I might do this again. \u00a0Ha!<\/p>\n
The day of the jump, I dressed in easily-removed layers and\u00a0donned\u00a0my red checkered wrist-band (from the check-in the day before). \u00a0My friend drove me there and we arrived around noon – anticipating a crowded parking lot. \u00a0 But the parking was no big deal and we had a couple hours to kill. \u00a0We hiked around the park a bit and did some people watching. \u00a0We met up with some friends and chatted a bit to pass the time. \u00a0The crowd began to gather and as the 2:00 hour approached, the excitement began to build.<\/p>\n
At ten til, I took off my coat and shirt. \u00a0I said I wanted to be ready when my wristband color was called, but really I was just excited and nervous. \u00a0I started jumping around to keep blood going and because they had really good music.<\/p>\n
At four til, I took off my pants. \u00a0Now all I had was my blue square cut speedo (very tasteful) and my aqua shoes. \u00a0A few others made ready as well and some wore costumes. \u00a0There was Captain Planet, Superman, two guys in body paint\u00a0tuxedos\u00a0 and a group in form-fitting spandex. \u00a0There was the Joker and more grass skirts than you could shake a stick at. \u00a0 And when two women walked by, one said that her friend wanted to smack my butt. \u00a0\u00a0Saucy! \u00a0Her friend, of course, was mortified, but I took it as a compliment.<\/p>\n
Now all that was left to do was wait until they called my wrist-band.<\/p>\n
American Flag – nope.
\nBlue Checker – nope.
\nNeon Green checker – nope.
\nNeon Orange checker – nope.
\nPurple checker – Are you kidding me?!?<\/p>\n
Finally, Red checker. \u00a0I handed off my glasses, made sure that my friends had the “Your pants are over here, stupid,” flag that I’d made at the ready so I could find them, and headed for the jumper corral.<\/p>\n
I walked the plank – literally – out to the docks extended from the beach. \u00a0 At end of the dock, I held my breathe and jumped.<\/p>\n
The cold water hit and in that burst I realized that I had never ever been anywhere near that cold. It\u00a0redefined\u00a0the idea of cold for me and took my breath away. \u00a0I surfaced and half swam, half waded my way back to the shore. \u00a0I quickly found my friends and started to dry off. \u00a0Gathering my clothes, I headed to the heated tent to get changed. \u00a0I finished drying off, got dressed quickly, and other than some cold toes I was mostly recovered.<\/p>\n
Leaving the tent, I chatted with another of my friends and then we headed back to the car to go meet up with my former co-worker and his family for an early dinner. \u00a0 \u00a0After the meal at Chipotle, his wife gave me a quick hug before telling me she was cold and had to get in the car. \u00a0I shook my head and told her, “No, you aren’t cold” – earning me a laugh.<\/p>\n
A large hot chocolate and a hot bath later and I was back to normal.<\/p>\n
Will I do this again next year? \u00a0Hmmmm…<\/p>\n