St. Olaf College built a spectacular ice arena on campus. It opened in January. Many hockey games have been played on the rink already. I believe it’s the end of hockey season but hopefully next year we can attend a game.
The ice arena is used for several other events too…there is a Figure Skating Club that meets weekly and I know it offers Open Skate on Sundays.
It’s a great place for families with little ones learning to skate. It’s an indoor rink so it’s much warmer than skating outside. Our son and his family gave it a try. My son retrieved his skates from our basement and he rented skates for the rest of his family at the rink. Rental skates were available in all sizes.
It was the first time my daughter-in-love tried ice skating. She moved to Minnesota last December and is embracing winter, although it’s been a tough one, even for Minnesotans. Of course, their children tried skating for the first time too.
When we stopped by to see them skate, the 4 year old and 3 year old were resting on the sidelines, enjoying watching the skaters go by, after their initial attempts at skating. They got back on the ice and when they arrived home they were so excited for this new adventure.
Ice skating on my neighborhood rink was an activity I enjoyed a lot when I was much younger. I still have the only pair of skates I’ve owned, from high school. I have used them many times over the years. They are very thin leather, and unlined. I believe my toes may have been near frostbitten back when I was young, because now when I go outside in wintertime my toes get cold quickly. I love the invention of toe warmers!
Maybe I should try skating again….my rational self wonders if I’m too old. I don’t want to fall. But I am tempted. I don’t want my physical age to get in the way of my youthful memories of skating.
I loved the photos of your son and his wife, and then of the kids. I hope she is enjoying embracing the experiences of winter, though this one has been darned extreme! But, what a great outing for a family!
Thanks Sheri. I’m glad they had an opportunity to try ice skating, indoors and in-town. They have played a lot in the snow…building a snowman, making snow angels, sliding… so they are embracing winter for sure.
I had skates just like that, passed down to me from Aunt Dorothy. I tossed them, but now wish I’d kept them, if anything to use as winter decor.
Good for Andrea, Zoey and Ezra to try skating. They truly are embracing this winter of ours. I’m not.
Tempted to skate? No. Although I once loved skating, I don’t want to risk breaking another bone.
Yes, I understand your fear of falling and breaking a bone. That is in the back of my mind too.
I did use the skates for winter Christmas decor. I think I’d rent skates if I were to try it again. They are pretty thin. 😉