Trying new things
Lackawanna State Park hosted a "Winterfest" today, which allowed me to do three things I have never done before, YAY!
First I got to walk on/across a frozen lake. There was a thin layer of snow on the ice, so things were not slippery at all. I bet it is more interesting when it's more slippery. I thought this felt just like walking on the ground. A big crowd of people was out in the middle of the lake listening to the Ice rescue people talk. They had drilled a hole in the ice for some demonstrations, which I did not see. I went over to listen for a minute and was watching a cute little tot in a pink snowsuit make snow angels when I heard this big crack. Everyone near the hole backed up about two feet. I found this quite comical. The rescue people said there was nothing to worry about because the ice was 8-10 inches thick. Telling Rob this later he asked what they would of done had everyone fallen in.
Next I strapped on some snowshoes and traversed the park. I had to trudge up this huge snow covered hill to get the shoes, which quite frankly sucked, but going back up the hill with the shoes on to return them was a breeze. I guess they made their point; It surely was easier to walk in snow with them on (need a few inches though), and hell, I enjoyed it. (unfortunately, now I want to buy some)
Finally, a DCNR ranger taught me and two others how to work a GPS unit and use it for geocaching. I'm a little torn because I've always wanted to to anti-GPS (use maps for driving, and map and compass to navigate outside) but I have to say it was kinda cool. AND WAY TOO EASY, lol. I think I might like that you can set waypoints if you are wandering around, then just follow them back if you get lost. Maybe if my orienteering skills were better..... Ah, technology. However, I do think geocaching is a great way to get kids outside. They do not want to be without their little technological devices ever, so why not combine them with the outdoors. Whatever it takes to get more kids into outdoor activities and get some exercise, I am for.