Off the Ice

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I’ve been almost entirely off the ice since March 6th. Certain ice rinks where I live have opened for freestyle under limited conditions. No music can be played. Masks are not required and that doesn’t work for me. I wrote the manager asking for a masks-required freestyle and he replied that “No masks are required for any “ON ICE “ events. USA HOCKEY and USFSA discourage skaters wearing them on the ice.” I certainly hope that’s not right, though I should call USFSA member services and inquire. But his statement is not encouraging as far as the chances that he’d be open to offering a masks-required session.

Coach Kim decided to retire rather than return to the rink during the pandemic. That hurts, though I understand and agree. I hope, though, that she’ll think about coaching again when COVID subsides. She retired once and returned, so a girl can hope.

My coaches Sharon and Steve Baker coach at a rink that is still closed. A lot of exercise facilities including their rink were planning to open in King County’s Phase III, but we are stuck on indefinite hold in Phase II. I’m glad WA has been trying to do the right things, so I’m not complaining.

My husband had serious cabin fever this spring, yet we couldn’t think of many activities we’d feel comfortable doing. He started talking about how he’d really like to buy an Airstream trailer so we could travel in a safe way. Long-term travel around the country in an RV has been a persistent dream of his. I was never interested because I didn’t want to leave my life at home. But many of the things I didn’t want to leave, like visits with friends and skating, were not happening anyway. so my resistance evaporated.

My husband will be working from home for the rest of the year and I imagine, beyond. So this was a good chance for him to try out the ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle and work from the road. Part of what made me buy in was the thought that we could drive to Sun Valley and I could skate there at their outdoor rink. And that will be the subject of my next post.

Airstream under the stars