He'll jump into the icy waters of Lake Michigan with me. He'll jump out of a plane with me. But the man will not go ice skating with me.
Yesterday afternoon as Dave and I drove downtown to Red Arrow Park to check out the skating rink, I had sweet visions of the two of us, mittened hands clasped tightly together, gliding around the ice. The chilly winter air would make our cheeks rosy, and after a good many times around the rink, we'd head into Starbucks and cuddle together with our warm cups of hot chocolate.
Silly, silly girl.
How could I have forgotten the time two years ago when we went to the Pettit National Ice Center? I paid for our admissions and skate rentals, we got all laced in and up onto the ice. Dave took ONE step onto the oval, turned around and said "I'm not doing this." I went around twice by myself and we went home. (I'll be visiting the Pettit and posting about it in the future - I'll just have to find a different skating buddy!)
So I shouldn't have expected anything more yesterday. I was a bit peeved at first, but then I simply resigned myself to the fact that I'd be skating alone.
Upon first seeing the rink, it looked like a scene from a movie – all kinds of people in colorful coats and hats, sailing around the rink (ok, some sailing, some holding onto the railings for dear life), with the cozy shack (well, Starbucks) behind, the towering Christmas tree and tall buildings rising up all around it. It's like Milwaukee's own little Rockefeller Center.
We walked into the "warming house" and the scene was a bit chaotic. Kids were running around, parents were trying to lace them up and get their own skates on, too; others were trying to make their way over to Starbucks and others were sitting next to the fireplace, trying to get warm. I rented my skates ($4) and found a spot on one of two long benches to put them on. We don't have any pictures of the inside because Dave was taking the pics and didn't want to seem creepy taking pictures with all the kids running around.
Once outside, I made my way onto the ice and struggled to keep my balance. I can hold my own on ice skates, but it always takes a little while to get used to it again. After assessing the situation for a minute or two, I was ready to go for it. I made my way around the rink, watching out for kids zooming through, and for people falling in front of me. The rink was pretty crowded, but not so crowded that it wasn't fun. After twice around, I had the hang of it – skating alone wasn't so bad!
(Forgive the lack of pictures of me actually skating - Dave took most of them from behind and trust me, they ain't pretty!)
Dave was a trooper, like he always is. It was cold out – and he had refused to wear a hat – and he just stood there watching me go round and round, taking pictures, all the while holding onto my purse.
After 20 minutes or so, I decided to call it a day. I could have gone longer, had I had a companion, but oh well. It was fun anyway.
The rink is open daily through February, and the only cost involved is skate rental if you don't have your own. A nice date idea – if your man can hack it – and a fun family activity, too.
Wow, you're laying into him pretty hard on this one. I mean, the guy bites fake gingerbread houses for your blog. That said, why the fear of ice skating, Dave?
I didn't even know this place existed. I haven't had skates since I played hockey long ago, but still. It's gotta be good for one of those corny romantic movie date ideas that women love.
Posted by: Andre | January 09, 2006 at 11:13 AM
Oh, and I like the photo of the kid eatin' it behind you.
Posted by: Andre | January 09, 2006 at 11:14 AM
Thanks for the support, Andre. I'm not really sure why I'm scared of the ice though it could be that I tend to fall a lot in just my shoes. Lacing up skates only increases the odds of me breaking my ass.
Posted by: Dave | January 09, 2006 at 10:58 PM
Maybe take a hockey stick out there with you next time. It gives you that third point of contact that you can lean on. And if someone laughs at your inept skating you can use the stick to make their face a third point of contact.
Posted by: Andre | January 10, 2006 at 10:21 AM
hahah ahhh, my dramatic best friend. Gotta love her =)
The day sounds fun anyways. I LOVE ice-skating!!!!! I'll TOTALLY be your next skating buddy!!!
Posted by: Christi | January 10, 2006 at 10:39 AM
andre, it's not just for cheesy romantic moments, Red Arrow is used by office workers during their lunch hour and families at night/weekends. it's a good time, and it's free if you have skates. suburban office parks don't offer that.
Posted by: karl | January 11, 2006 at 11:29 PM