Brandon, Hayden and I decided to bring in the New Year ‘adventure-style’. With about 500 other northwest locals we gathered at Bellingham’s recreational epicenter, Lake Padden. The celebration began by jogging around the lake shoulder-to-shoulder with the mass of adventure-seekers. As we finished the lap, you could feel a surge in the group energy because we were now minutes away from the true reason we were all gathered on this blustery New Years morn’.

10 -9-8-7-6-5…..!!!!

Before the countdown was complete, bathrobes and parkas, running shoes and fleece were thrown off and screams filled the air as our still-warm-from-running bodies hit the 40F lake water!
It’s the Lake Padden Polar Bear Plunge!

I began my tradition of taking the breath-taking, bone-chilling, make-you-laugh-out-loud plunge when Brandon and I were river guides in Coloma, California. My friend Kelly and I would dive into the American River early New Year’s morning, saying good-bye to the previous year and welcoming the New Year with an invigorating splash!

No matter how you celebrate, we hope you have an AMAZING 2010!
Heather , Brandon and Hayden