What to Do When the Mercury Drops
by Bregan Wherry and Jill Peitzmeier
For those of us whose wallets are empty around the Christmas season, sledding is a great sport. Its main requirement is snow. Of course you'll also need a sled of some sort, whether it is a real sled, a toboggan or your mom's pizza pan. The only other thing you'll need is a monstrously large hill. One small downside to sledding is that three-minute walk back up the hill after the two second ride down. If you enjoy a more structured, yet possibly violent sport, try playing hockey. Just get together a group of friends, grab some sticks and go to any local hockey rink. Moylan Tranquility Ice Plex, located on 125th and West Maple Road, has many league opportunities. While you're at the hockey rink, switch your skates and try ice-skating. You don't have to be Kristy Yamaguchi to have a great time.
"Whenever we go to Tranquility, we get followed around by ten year old boys who think we are their age," said senior Erin Carlin. "We go to the center and they skate around us and we laugh at them." Tranquility Ice Plex has open skating on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $4 and skate rental is $2.
Ice-skating doesn't have to be just fun and games. Freshman Nickole Martinez used to compete. "It was great having all the people watch you." Ice fishing, the sport of extreme patience and bitter cold. Before you start drilling holes in the ice, make sure you are on a lake and not still at the ice rink. Bring some thermal underwear and hot packets to put in your gloves to keep your hands warm. Make sure youUre comfortable because you will be doing a lot of sitting.
And for the kid in you, there's the ever-popular snowman building. If you don't remember how to do this from the days of old, roll three balls of snow, each one slightly larger than the other and stack them together largest to small. A carrot, two pieces of charcoal and a scarf complete your new friend.
DISCLAIMER: Do not bring your new friend inside for some cocoa by the fire.
When you are done making your new friend and if you still have some energy left, invite the neighbor kids over for a snowball fight. But remember you are supposed to be the mature one, so no ambushing little kids with snowballs.
Next, the ever popular skiing. The sport people travel hundreds of miles to take part in. While the Colorado Rockies may be the ideal spot, they are not always readily accessible. So when that craving to hit the slopes comes on strong, head over to Iowa and check out Mt. Crescent. You can contact them at (712) 545-3850. It is located in Iowa, so this will be a long-distance call. In this sport, trees are not your friends, so try to steer clear of them. Before you go down the mountain (or hill) make sure you have reviewed all the basics, like how to turn and most importantly how to stop.
For the more adventurous people out there, snowboarding may be your best option. Freshman Madeline Harter recalls her first time snowboarding, "I fell down a lot, but it was still really, really fun!"
So you see, you don't need to stay at home when the mercury drops, though it may be tempting. Take advantage of the winter season, and the snow days off of school, while they last.