Today was the annual Polar Plunge here, which is a fundraiser for Special Olympics. I thought it might be kind of fun to go down and watch these people run into the freezing cold Deschutes River, many of them in costumes. The skies were clear but it was just 28 degrees F. with a wind chill that felt to me like 5 degrees. The water temperature was about 39 degrees. But everyone seemed to be having a great time despite running into the icy water. I don’t know any of the people in these photos, but they were kind enough to let me take their pictures. If anyone in Bend knows their identity, feel free to forward this to them.
One of my sisters does this event every year in Minnesota and all I have to say is, “you’re nuts!”
Maralee
Through My Lens 
Hi Maralee,
it seems incredibly funny! … I can’t see myself jumping in icecold water 🙂 no way!!!
Me either. I was freezing and I had sweatpants, shirt, sweatshirt, scarf and gloves.
Great job Maralee. Looks like a lot of fun. Wonderful pictures.
Do you want to do the plunge with me next year, Laura?
Maralee, thought is was only mad Scandinavians that plunged into ice cold water – where you in the water too ????? Need some real Viking blood in the veins to do that.
Hi Viveka – No, I did not plunge. I’m sure I would have had a heart attack and died if I had. I was cold enough watching from the sidelines in sweatpants, sweatshirt, jacket, gloves and scarf.
Sensible lady!!!
I wanted to let you know that we nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award. Please follow this path to view our post
http://ilovekytheraen.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/thanks-md-phtographers-for-the-versatile-blogger-award-nomination/