Holy cow! The 50@50 Project's Event #4 is done and I think I finally have some feeling back in my toes! Okay, it wasn't that bad but the water was damn cold. The Portland Polar Plunge is a fundraiser for the Oregon Special Olympics. The last figure I heard announced for donation totals put the proceeds at over $270,000!! Great cause!
We woke up around 7 this morning, got dressed and walked up to Besaw's for breakfast and mimosas, because nothing prepares you to jump in the extremely cold Columbia River like... like... okay, nothing prepares you for it! But the mimosas and food were darn tasty! It's one of our favorite restaurants. Their breakfast is fantastic, the coffee is big and bold, the drinks strong and they know us there, so the service is always A-1. The interesting thing about Besaw's is how it changes over from breakfast to lunch. For breakfast, it's 'upscale diner' - paper napkins, bare tables, quick turns. The food comes out fresh, hot and fast. But when they switch over for dinner later in the day, it's cloth napkins, table cloths, candles, dim lights. Same great service but they slow it down and make every meal feel special. www.besaws.com
After the walk back home, we finished packing for this crazy plunge thingy. Having never done anything like this before, we both were unsure of what to bring along. So we brought more than we needed (we do that a lot) and left for the river!
The drive to Broughton Beach on the Columbia took about 30 minutes. We followed the signs to parking and queued up for the shuttle buses that would take us to the plunge point. People were flowing in to the parking lot and the police who were directing traffic didn't seem to have a plan as to how cars were brought in - a few down this row, then switch to this area across the lot, then park some in this area close to the gate, then park some over yonder which blocked the bus turnaround area, etc. Me, I would have filled the parking lot in rows from the back to the front. But what do I know. Wait, don't answer that.
A bus pulled in, loaded up, left. Another bus pulled in, loaded up, left. The next bus -ours, as it happened - pulled in with rock music blaring and a bus driver who looked like he was on his way to a Grateful Dead show. He was awesome! He was so much fun that he almost missed the turn into the staging area for the Polar Plunge! With the help of the cops, he backed up enough to make the turn into the lot and we climbed out, thanking him for getting us pumped up for this event.
We milled around and I danced in front of the large bull. Don't worry, the video will make it all clear. Midway through my dance number I was accosted by my sisters!! Yep, Pat and Susan came out to cheer us on. It was so nice of them to come out to support us! Thanks, you two!!
The announcer asked everyone to start lining up to get ready for the big dip. Neat setup for the event: the water is roped off about 30 feet out so you can't go too far. And there were a bunch of rescue divers, firemen, the fire boat, paramedics. It was comforting to see they were well prepared in case someone had issues.
We were in Plunge Group 20 of 22. A lot of companies, schools, families and friends make teams so they get to go first. Those of us who signed up as individuals get placed at the end. No biggie cuz it moved fast once they started. The event organizers keep the size of the Plunge groups manageable so that rescue personnel can keep an eye on everyone, making sure we get in and get out okay.
The air temp was around 41-42 degrees, water was much colder. It was a little chilly standing in line waiting our turn. But before we knew it, they were announcing Group 16. Getting close! Yoinks! Next thing we knew, it was our turn!
Thanks to my sisters for helping out! Pat held the duffel with our very valuable warm clothes and Susan operated the video camera. And by 'video camera' I mean my iPhone. In the video of the Plunge, you'll see me in a neon yellow shirt and shorts, Bex! in her red running skirt and a tank top.
Our grand plan was to go into the water holding hands. Cute, huh? Yeah, well, that went out the window as Bex! set her sights on the water and getting it over with, so she took off running! In and out! VERY COLD! Now, I need to tell you that Pat challenged me to go all in, underwater. The announcer said we shouldn't, that up to the neck was fine. But if you know me, you know what I did. I ran out until I was a little over waist deep, then just plunked down, all the way under! I came up gasping and trying not to scream swear words, I high fived the rescue diver, then I think I ran across the water like they do in the cartoons or at least I would have if I could have!
Out, back to our towels, grabbed the duffel with the warmies and walked back up to the staging area. My awesome sisters brought us coffee and cocoa, we changed clothes, thrilled at how well it had gone, shining in the moment. Pat drove us back to the parking area and we left, laughing over the fact that we had just voluntarily jumped in the Columbia in February.
Normal people would have gone directly home, showered, warmed up. We are not normal. We drove to the Lucky Lab Brewery and picked up our race packets for tomorrow's 50@50 Project event - the Worst Day of the Year Ride.
Event 5.
Stay tuned!
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