THINGS CRAZY PEOPLE DO >>>
"I do it as kind of a cold shock, wash off last year, start clean for the new, kind of thing," says Joey Stern, polar bear plunger.
Last year, nearly 300 people showed up at Long Lake for the 28th annual Polar Bear Plunge - a good portion of them suffering from ball shrinkage or blinded by the sight of too much northwest gooseflesh. Some dressed in silly costumes. A penguin, Santa and a ballerina were spotted at last year's event, jumping and splashing and screaming with the rest.
Long Lake sits at a tempting 30-something degrees this time of year. Campfires, hot cocoa and coffee reward the brave souls that participate in this crazy, mass-baptism of sorts.
LONG LAKE, POLAR BEAR PLUNGE, TUESDAY, JAN. 1, 12 P.M., ACTUAL PLUNGE AT 1 P.M., 2790 CARPENTER ROAD SE, LACEY