Skating Adventures

[siglinde99]

I went out withurban_squrrl, Aelfwyn, and Daffyd to a new skating place just north of Gatineau Park today. It was amazing! There was a nice big cabin for changing into skates, and 3 km of trails through the woods, in one big loop or three smaller loops. I ended up skating about 10 km. The weather was absolutely perfect and the trees were gorgeous. There were

Comments

[siglinde99]

I tripped over one rough spot and had to be helped up. Not because I was injured, but because I have gotten old and fat (and very, very stiff and un-coordinated).

[siglinde99]

Those unexpected falls are the worst! At least when I fall skating it is usually a face forward fall that I can stop with my hands. And I half-way expect it because the ice is rough and I'm not a great skater.

[kristy]

Love the snow & ice skating looks fun! :)

[siglinde99]

It was absolutely perfect. I hadn't been skating for several years but eventually remembered how again.

[spikesgirl58]

*The weather was absolutely perfect*

You say this and all I see is snow, cold, icy snow... Where are the palm trees and the trade winds?

It does look like you all have a blast! I'm glad as you really deserve a day of fun after all that you do!

[siglinde99]

See our bare hands and faces? We were actually getting too warm. Once I remembered how to skate and got my heart rate up, I was almost ready to take off my coat (I did unzip it).

Besides, cold is relative. It's -24C today, (-11F). I'll be digging out the big boots and coat for sure.

[spikesgirl58]

Wow, that never happened with me! it's good that I ended up some place with no snow. I have zero tolerance for it.

Oh, dear goddess. I'm whining because it's only 56 F here.

[siglinde99]

I, on the other hand, hate humidity. You should hear me whine when I'm hot and sticky! No, on second thought, that amount of whining should not be shared...

[carriea31]

That looks like so much fun!!

[siglinde99]

It was! I haven't had that much skating since my son was little and we would go on the Canal.

[carriea31]

I have never been ice skating except for at an indoor rink. How do you know when the ice is thick enough to go on the Canal?

[siglinde99]

It's managed by professionals. It isn't open for skating until the ice is at least 30 cm thick (about a foot). It gets cleaned and watered with big sweepers etc., so it is very safe for large crowds. When I was a kid, I learned that 4 inches was safe, but that wouldn't be enough for the thousands who go skating on a good day.