Hi ya’ll! I’m back with all my extremities in tact after braving the elements this past Saturday for the 14th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. Was it cold? Hell to the yes. Our super sharp area meteorologists mis-predicted the weather (shocker) and we ended up with lower temps and quite a bit more snow than we thought we would get. I think the high of the day was just above 20 degrees and they actually ended up canceling the final plunge because the weather was so terrible and the powers that be deemed it too dangerous.
However, this did not stop my dumb ass from getting all wet. And would I do it again? Absolutely and you wouldn’t even have to pay me. We had an amazing and fun day!
Here’s how it went down:
5:20 am: My alarm goes off. I took a sick day Friday because I hadn’t been feeling well for most of last week (and what better way to combat illness than hanging out in the snow for many hours and then plunging into freezing cold water…am I right?). Anyway, because I am a genius, I slept most of Friday and then couldn’t go to bed the night before the event. Hence I am now running off 2 hours of sleep. Awesome.
6:15 am: We board a bus of the really nice motor coach variety out front of a restaurant down the street from our house. We have bagels and coffee. Some people are already drinking beer. I think it’s too early for that.
6:45 am: We are en route and decide we might as well start drinking beer.
7:30 am: We arrive at Sandy Point State Park, which is where the madness will happen. We get to park in the best lot near where lots of bands are playing (I will not hear a band play all day). The temperature is still not out of the teens. Here we are fresh off the bus with our red plastic cups. I know you are jealous of my leopard pimp hat. As you can see, there is no snow yet.
8:00 am: M and I decide to explore the grounds. There isn’t much going on yet because it’s still too early. Snow flurries are starting. M snaps a totally necessary photo of me with a wall of Port-o-Johns. I’m thrilled about it.
8:30 am – 10:00 am: We hang out with friends by the grills in the tailgate area. M eats food. I do not, which will come back to haunt me later. We have more beer.
10:00 am: It is snowing. M and I decide to go down to the VIP area and watch one of M’s best friends, who is a Super Plunger, take his last dip. Basically the Super Plungers go into the water every hour on the hour for 24 hours straight. Insanity! By the time we get down there, we get the news that the final Super Plunge has been called off. Then as we are walking back up the beach, I trip over a rock under the sand and my red cup of beer and I go flying ungracefully through the air. I do a faceplant. Then of course I have to get up and point the rock out to all the 30 people that saw me fall so they won’t think I am just some drunk idiot that fell over nothing.
It is hilarious and I wish M would get a picture of it, but he is too busy laughing.
10:15 am – 12:30 pm: Tailgating continues as the snow kicks into high gear.
12:30 pm: Time to get ready! My plunge team has the 1:00 pm time slot so I go on the bus to change into my costume. Yep. I have decided to recycle my Halloween costume from last year. I figured if I wore it over my swimsuit, it would keep my torso at least a little bit warmer. Plus everything is better when you’re wearing wings. Because the temperature had only just cracked 20 degrees, I also opt to wear yoga pants underneath.
Happiest bee you ever saw in snow.
1:00 pm: Here I go! Lucky me…I get to go in TWICE although not by choice. M was unprepared with the camera during my first plunge, when I went in up to my waist. So I have to get back in the water for photos. I do not go quite as far in the second time.
The water is actually about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the air, so it doesn’t feel TOO bad. The snow in my face is what is making me look all sad panda.
1:10 pm – 3:00 pm: I get dressed and hang out on the bus with all the other plungers who are trying to avoid hypothermia. We point and laugh as some drunk idiot pees in the road right behind our bus and then almost falls into the snow. It’s practically blizzarding outside.
3:00-ish pm: We head home! The trip back will take us 3 and a half hours. Apparently the storm shifted by about 60 miles and where we were only supposed to get a dusting back up at home base, we are ending up with about 6 inches. We pass cars that have run off the highway every mile or so. At least I got a nap.
7:30 pm: We are finally off the bus. Thank goodness because I have had to use the bathroom for the past 2 hours and the one on board was completely wrecked. I go to use the ladies’ at the restaurant while M calls his dad to pick us up. This is when I realize that I am not wearing my own pants. I thought these jeans felt big on me when I put them on. So much for thinking I’m suddenly skinnier.
Seriously…it wouldn’t be one of my adventures if this kind of stupidity didn’t happen.
8:15 pm: We are home and I commence my hour long shower. Not because I feel dirty from swimming in the Bay, but because I am so grossed out by the fact that I had stranger pants on. At least my jeans got home with us safely.
Monday morning: I still have not figured out whose pants these are.
So that’s my recap! And I leave you with this: if you are ever presented with the opportunity to participate in an event like this…DO IT! The Plunge raised well over $2 million in donations for the Maryland Special Olympics and I am just so thrilled to have been a part of it.
I applaud you Lauren! You wouldn’t catch me out in weather like that! Ugh. Well, okay…if it was for a good cause like that, then I’d consider doing it. Thank goodness we don’t get nasty weather like that here in the Central Valley of good ‘ole California!
Thanks for the play by play and pictures… makes me sorta live vicariously through you!!!
smooches and hugs girl!
Shelli
By: catalinaislandbride on February 1, 2010
at 3:20 pm
Wow! I’m mostly awed by the fact that you were drinking beer on an empty stomach at 8 a.m.
Stopping by from SITS!
By: Jenny Yarbrough on February 1, 2010
at 3:28 pm
A guy a work with did this on Saturday too! He was talking about it during happy hour on Friday…I guess he was planning on wearing a speedo but changed his mind. Anyways…good job! I would love to do one year!
By: Cee on February 1, 2010
at 3:30 pm
The whole day sounds awesome up until the time you jump into the water….everything after that sounds not so fun. But kudos to you for doing it and helping raise all that cash money!
By: Cathy on February 1, 2010
at 3:33 pm
Hi! Stopping by from SITS!
This story is hilarious!!! I can’t imagine doing a polar bear plunge, but it does sound a bit amusing! I’m not surprised so many people are drinking so early. Gotta be a little drunk to do that!! Crazy about the pants. At least you have pants, I feel bad for the person who doesn’t!! haha!
Have a great day!
By: Lisa @ Early Morning Run on February 1, 2010
at 3:38 pm
You are the cutest little bee ever!
awww the days of beer for breakfast… how I miss thee…
I will be living vicariously thru you ok?
By: thejenni on February 1, 2010
at 3:38 pm
YAY! You survived. I hope you don’t feel more sick after all this but it looks like a really fun afternoon indeed! I saw T’s pictures and you guys both get huge thumbs up for fun and style using costumes!!!
I would have freaked out finding out I had someone else’s jeans I don’t blame you for the quick scrub down upon entering the apartment!!!
That’s a ton of money – what a great thing!
By: Kelly @ Dare to be Domestic on February 1, 2010
at 3:41 pm
Yay!!
I think you should put out an ad on craigslist “found pants” 
I just found out you can list HOUSES on craigslist, and I’m like totally weirded out about it…
By: Cheryl on February 1, 2010
at 3:47 pm
Lady that is seriously the coolest thing – even with the odd random pants that you ended up with. Kudos for you!
By: Krysten on February 1, 2010
at 3:48 pm
THAT is awesome! You are awesome!
Love it. Great pics. Somehow the fact that you wore a bee costume makes me heart you even more, and of course you know I love getting into a stranger’s pants, to boot!
Well done!!
By: Bev on February 1, 2010
at 3:51 pm
You’re nuts…but you did an awesome thing, that will make for quite a story for years to come. Good work!
By: Amber on February 1, 2010
at 3:57 pm
Oh thank God! You are okay?!! Was worried when you didn’t post yesterday…thought maybe you were a floating fish stick in the bay.
Glad you had such a great day and kudos because you’ve actually made it appear like fun times:)
By: raisedq on February 1, 2010
at 3:59 pm
Well, that looked like fun
You were definitely the cutest little bee in the water LOL…you do know that bees really don’t LIKE water, right? Next year go as a penguin. It will be a great excuse to buy a new black & white bathing suit
By: Carrie on February 1, 2010
at 4:05 pm
Seriously, awesome! The only way to do something like that is by drinking on an empty stomach
Well done!
By: Hutch on February 1, 2010
at 4:31 pm
Woohoo! Way to rock the bee costume in the snow. You seriously look cold. And LOL at Stranger Pants. Did you ever find your own?
By: Brooke on February 1, 2010
at 5:00 pm
I am so impressed!! And I just love that you did it in a bumble bee costume. You’re so awesome and it looks so frigidly cold! I hope you warmed up really well afterwards.
By: Brandi on February 1, 2010
at 5:55 pm
Wow, I am seriously impressed. And that’s hilarious about the pants! Love that Bee costume. I agree that everything is better with wings on.
By: partyplannergal on February 1, 2010
at 6:08 pm
You get major props…I wouldn’t do it. The campground that we stay at, at the beach has a Polar Bear plunge, and everyone runs down into the ocean. I was looking at pictures of their Polar Bear Plunge and everyone had on bikinis. There were even little kids out there!
I don’t even like to go night swimming in the middle of the Summer, because I think it’s too cold. I guess I’m a wuss
By: Samantha on February 1, 2010
at 6:16 pm
Wow – you’re brave! I don’t think I could ever handle that!
By: Bicoastal Bride on February 1, 2010
at 6:22 pm
Way to go Miss Salt! Very impressive! Especially the bee costume and the pant-stealing!
By: Chocolate Lover on February 1, 2010
at 6:34 pm
AWESOME! Did they have a keg on the bus??? Sigh…just like college…all over again.
As long as you didn’t go to sleep in your own jeans and wake up in a strangers jeans, I’d call it a win!
What a great memory for the Story of Our Life book!
By: Daffy on February 1, 2010
at 6:45 pm
There are lots of things to love about this story…the face plant, the bee costume, the raising money for a great cause. However, my favorite by far is that you ended up in someone else’s pants.
I’m glad you managed to keep all your extremities!!!
By: Shana on February 1, 2010
at 7:00 pm
omg you are so crazy lady! But I love ya! It looks like you had a blast!!
By: Mara on February 1, 2010
at 7:46 pm
Love your bee costume—I was a ladybug last year and it looks like we got ours from the same store!!! Cannot believe all the snow and you are soooo brave! You go, girl!
By: Erin on February 1, 2010
at 8:03 pm
Wow, I am in awe about how brave you are. Congrats on going through with it! I don’t think I could ever do it as I get cold in 70 degree weather.
By: Emma on February 1, 2010
at 8:23 pm
Dude. I thought you were supposed to do it naked. Ah ha ha. Way to go!!!
By: Kristin on February 1, 2010
at 9:22 pm
OMG!!! NO!!! There is no way I’d be all in my nudity in front of all those people. Thankfully no one else decided to go in the buff either. They probably would have been arrested.
By: Salt on February 1, 2010
at 9:33 pm
You are the cutest little sad panda I have ever seen. Or is Sexual Harassment Panda that you remind me of?
Hmm. Either way, you are a total freakazoid for doing this but I almost envy your craziness!
By: Monique on February 1, 2010
at 9:23 pm
Dude in the jersey behind me looked a little like he might be capable of some sexual harassment. Thankfully I had on those yoga pants under my bee outfit.
(That is one of my fave South Park episodes EVER!)
By: Salt on February 1, 2010
at 10:49 pm
Dude. You are TOTALLY CRAZY and I LOVE IT! I totally would have done that for beer too.
By: foxy on February 1, 2010
at 9:53 pm
Like your bee costume but my nose got super cold just reading this. I need to go sit by my fire now.
By: JMJ on February 1, 2010
at 9:58 pm
I love that you did it in a bee costume! That is so much fun!
Meanwhile, I refused to step out of the house yesterday b/c the high at 5 p.m. was 36 degrees. I would be the wimp of your plunging crew.
By: Blond Duck on February 1, 2010
at 10:06 pm
that’s awesome. i would seriously love that. looks like so much fun!!!! good for you!
By: Kiera on February 1, 2010
at 10:35 pm
That is so awesome, Lauren. I applaud you, for sure, and the story of your adventure is interesting, as usual! Nice bumblebee costume, by the way. The pics were great!
By: Namaste_Heather on February 1, 2010
at 11:00 pm
You are the most stylish crazy person I’ve ever seen! Haha! Seriously, love the hat and the bee costume. And You’d better believe I would spend 2 hours in the hottest shower ever if I did this! You done good, girl!
By: Amanda on February 1, 2010
at 11:05 pm
That is hilarious you took someone else’s pants with you! That poor person was probably freezing! I bet that shower felt amazing after being in the cold all day. It looks like it was a really fun time, but I don’t know if I could ever bring myself to do a polar bear plunge.
By: Carrie @ Laugh Love Eat Ice Cream on February 2, 2010
at 12:18 am
Love the costume!
Glad to hear all your parts made it through!
By: Sara on February 2, 2010
at 12:21 am
I saw them talking about it on the news and thought of you out there freezing!!
By: shortmama on February 2, 2010
at 12:36 am
WAY COOL!!! I think I’d have to do it!
By: blueviolet on February 2, 2010
at 12:52 am
oh my goodness, girl! you are cuh-ra-zzzzzy!!!!! but what an awesome cause! and you did it all suuuper cute!!
By: meredith on February 2, 2010
at 1:06 am
lol this reminds me of pledge day at my college. that is awesome that you did that! i would have have drank & watched everyone!
thanks for the blog comment, i am putting you in my reader
By: anna on February 2, 2010
at 1:10 am
I didn’t even think of that! You are so right. They never had us swim in the bay, but some of it was nearly as bad.
By: Salt on February 2, 2010
at 2:19 am
lady! you are crazy!!!
oh and beautiful!
love your blog
By: annie styles on February 2, 2010
at 1:17 am
You are so sweet! Thank you.
By: Salt on February 2, 2010
at 2:16 am
I give you credit girl, I’ve heard of these Polar Bear Plunges before…love the pics!
By: Theta Mom on February 2, 2010
at 1:53 am
oh hells no! i would never do this. i’d rather kill myself with 26.2 miles of running than dunk my warm body in freezing cold water. no thank you!
but you darling look adorable! bzzzzzz!
By: bananas. on February 2, 2010
at 2:59 am
I always wondered what nut jobs would take a dip in frozen water. Now I know.
I kid.
It looks like a really fun time to be honest.
By: Candice on February 2, 2010
at 4:16 am
sounds like it was just a ridiculous night all around. And so glad you had fun.
you crazy girl.
By: Kiran (Masala Chica) on February 2, 2010
at 4:49 am
You all are crazy! Fun crazy, though.
“Stranger Pants” – now that is a little creepy!
By: Ally on February 2, 2010
at 6:18 am
Totally LOVE your cute lil bee outfit!!! LOVE IT!!! Good for you for helping out a great cause!!
By: Jeannie on February 2, 2010
at 1:42 pm
YOU GO GIRL!! Sounds like you had a GREAT time! I have a couple of friends who were there and said it was crazy! I’m a Marylander myself but I’m more of a hibernating polar!! LOL!!
Stopping by from SITS have a great day!
xoxox,
Kristen
By: Chaotic Creations by Kristen on February 2, 2010
at 1:51 pm
That’s so awesome! I hope they had as much fun as we did. Welcome and always wonderful to ‘meet’ another Maryland blogger!
By: Salt on February 2, 2010
at 2:02 pm
HAHHAHAHA That’s awesome! Looks like a blast. I might have to do it next year. Maybe.
By: Ian on February 2, 2010
at 5:24 pm
You are one cute bee.
Mystery jeans… interesting.
By: hotpants™ on February 2, 2010
at 6:16 pm
That sounds like such a wild and crazy experience! Brrrrrr! Good thing you started getting warm with beer at 6:45AM! LOL
By: Shandal on February 3, 2010
at 4:41 am
[...] “I don’t even care that it’s 10am”. Hell, I was drinking beer at 6:45 am last weekend. The glass was even all icy and cold as if some bartender had just thrown the thing together with [...]
By: These flowers are making me thirsty! « Salt says…. on February 6, 2010
at 2:44 pm
I am incredibly impressed that you did this! I couldn’t have managed toe, and that would have involved a hell of a lot of very shrill squealing!
By: pixielation on February 6, 2010
at 8:46 pm
thats gotta be the best “foooooook it cold” face in that last photo – the bee costume really sets it off to a tee
You’re very brave and very well done, but you’re totally nuts!
By: Charlie on February 10, 2010
at 9:37 am