Happy People,Cold Water, -Deep Creek Dunk, Maryland

Cold Water, Happy People-Deep Creek Dunk, Maryland

Most are quick to support a wonderful charity for the benefit of the Special Olympics Some crazy happy people jump in cold water at the Deep Creek Dunk to help out the cause.  The time and effort that people put into preparing a team, planning their costumes and raising money are always inspiring and well respected. All this being said, I think there is an underlying breed of thrill junkies that get a rush and an adrenaline spike from freezing their patooties off dressed in wacky costumes while disrobing in front of thousands of strangers.

We as human beings have always pushed the limits on wild things we like to do while competing.  This event is a competition against yourself and your will to survive in the sub-zero temps of Deep Creek Lake. As I write this the crews are chain sawing huge blocks of ice to clear a pathway into the water. Every year the amount of slush that you have to wade through makes you feel like you are taking a dip in a giant Slurpee. But year after year you see many familiar faces bringing in new dunkers to experience the “ecstasy” of putting their 98.6 degree bodies into a brutal artic slurry.

I can tell you as a devout spectator that the laughter and warm smiles of these people exiting the waters must serve as a warming mechanism of some sort and I feel sadly left out of the fun until my mind remembers that I’m fully dressed in full winter gear and my hands and toes are still freezing numb. “Don’t criticize what ya can’t understand” I tell myself repeatedly through the event. The fact of the matter is a huge number of people understand and welcome the opportunity to help a great cause while sacrificing themselves to the pleasure and excitement of becoming a human ice cube on a grand stage here in Deep Creek Lake!