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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

What it’s like to go polar bear

Snow flakes clinged to Courtney Pettoello's eyelashes as she prepared to jump into Lake Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Jan. 1 2017 during the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Sanders Beach in Coeur d'Alene. (Kathy Plonka/SR photo)
Snow flakes clinged to Courtney Pettoello's eyelashes as she prepared to jump into Lake Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Jan. 1 2017 during the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Sanders Beach in Coeur d'Alene. (Kathy Plonka/SR photo)

"Amazing! By the time I get down there, I get caught up in the group fun atmosphere and really don't think about how cold it is. The water is really cold but I always feel recharged and full of energy after I get out. I expect that I will want to dive into my coat and run to my car afterwards but in fact I always feel fabulous and end up standing around in my swim suit getting snowed on for a few minutes. I can't wait until next year!" -- Tom Richards, owner/manager of the Snake Pit/Enaville, who participated in his third Polar Bear plunge on New Year's Day, Sunday.

Question: Have you ever participated in Coeur d'Alene's polar bear plunge?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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