Between Christmas Eve and Wrestling Day I had the opportunity to walk in the forest and along the frozen lake every single day.
Sometimes I went solo with one or two dogs and other times I was with members of my family or friends who were visiting from out of town.
Two evenings before New Year’s Day we skated under thousands of stars, straining our necks to enjoy the beautiful view.
Then on Dec. 31, my husband and I toasted 2017 with a stroll on the lake through the freshly falling snow.
No matter how many times I get out there on the frozen lake, I appreciate the privilege of being able to enjoy winter in the Cariboo.
I think that’s because while I was growing up in Nelson, B.C., Kootenay Lake only froze over once.
My first taste of skating outdoors was in Winnipeg when I was working and going to university there. I tried the outdoor rinks in the city a few times.
But it was not until my own young family lived in Prince Rupert that I got the taste of skating on a frozen lake.
Every winter for at least a week or two, the temperatures would dip and the local ponds would freeze.
Immediately we’d drop everything we were doing and make sure to take our children skating.
The littlest child always started out with those bob skates that go over snow boots.
About the same time my children were learning to skate, I discovered the joy of wearing men’s skates as opposed to women’s.
I have wide feet that like to be comfortable and it was a whole new and better experience skating with men’s skates.
As I walked along frozen Williams Lake last week I saw many things.
There were cross-country skiers, ATVers, snow sledders, other skaters and little rinks set up on different areas of the lake.
One morning while driving into town we even saw a coyote running right down the middle of the lake.
If you haven’t tried using the frozen lake this winter I’d encourage you to give it a try.
It’s probably the closest you’ll ever get to feeling like you are walking on the moon.
