Cold Water

[LARGO]

Once again, it's that time. The Seaside Heights Plunge, formerly the Point Pleasant Plunge, the BIG one!!
Saturday February 23, 2008 @ the Aztec in Seaside.
I do not come to you to solicit $$, I think that would be a cheesy way to use Ben's site. Just a note to say... come on out, check it out. If even one person here has ever known or seen the result of what this money goes to you would marvel in it. New Jersey Special Olympics is a real thing that means alot to many folks. Heck, sign up to go in! It doesn't cost much and a few bucks in donations gets you a rewarding time. I have a couple folks trying it this year. Highly exhilarating! This is year #8 for me. Just like a summer day, places are open, fun to be had and a few thousand fool's ready to go in. It is entertaining if nothing else. There are many opportunities to raffle & win cool stuff too. Last year was quite chilly, I hope for a repeat.
Just an FYI ya'll.

G.

 

[bobpbx]

the BIG one!!

You mean the "small one" at soon as you hit that water, right George?

 

[LARGO]

You mean the "small one" at soon as you hit that water, right George?

Can't do much more damage than nature already has.
g.

 

[whitingrider]

You guys are too much. I'll be glad to donate, but I sure ain't going in the ocean until, like June or so.

 

[woodjin]

Can't do much more damage than nature already has.
g.

:rofl:

 

[LARGO]

Well,
Today is it. Figures tomorrow will be warm. I see it's to be about 39 when I go in at 1:00. Don't know actual water temp yet. The Seaside/Old Point Pleasant plunge is really a fun time.
Afterwards we may hit the aquarium at Jenks. The kids love that one.
It looks like a gray day and many of you may be bummed out but I wish you all joy in whatever you do today, especially Tom & Russ. Get in some good riding guys!

g.

 

[james ungehajer]

Have a great time George.

Jim

 

[whitingrider]

Thanks George. Send me some info so I can donate.
Tom

 

[LARGO]

Great Day & a Surprise Too!

All,
I will throw up a few pics when I get a chance. Tom, I'll catch you next year on the donation. I'll still be at it.
It was a great day. It was not as cold as I expected and the water temp just slightly exceeded the air temp. The crowd was intense, the usual eclectic mix of crazies old & new. Dreary and all with rain earlier but it worked out.
My big surprise!!!!!!!!!!!
I go in, swim, dunk, splash, play, etc.
I come out, step up on to the beach about ten feet and who is standing right there???
BOB!!! I thought, "How the Heck"
It was a blast just to see him there. Now someone can attest as to just how freaky the crowd is.
Sadly enough, he had camera in hand and I know he got a picture that was none too flattering. I however am very secure in my masculinity and since I have the build of a Greek Adonis, I fear not.
Well, that's a stretch..... I figure, Oh well show the pic, I have at the least, sense of humor.

O.K., Some of My Pics
Coming across the beach after a look and then going off to my fate
http://gallery.njpinebarrens.com/data/414/medium/GOING_OUT.JPG
There is usually a small degree of ceremony and in the past there have been bagpipers too. I could not throw up enough pics to show the total amount of people involved, or just how freaky and wild some look. All kinds, ages, shapes, sizes. Somethings too I do not think we were meant to see.
Now here I am coming back and then walking it off. Some go right for the change or the tents, I find it easier to walk it off and let the air get to you. (But then, I am also an idiot) Folks always ask as I and others like me just come strolling back casually, "how can you do that!"
http://gallery.njpinebarrens.com/data/414/medium/COMING_BACK.JPG
I actually dried off while looking out for Bob and then after a five block stroll back to our car, did my changing in the bar where we park the car. Seedy looking maritime bar but darn nice folk. While the wife & kids got squared away out in the car, I had a stiff one poured for me at the bar for when I got changed. A nice touch.
Then off to the aquarium. I'll not bore ya'll with family photos but I will show you a wonderful piece of equipment on display there. I loves old machinery.
http://gallery.njpinebarrens.com/data/414/medium/PUMP.JPG
And finally to let the kids stroll out to the beach up in Point Pleasant.
Now kids.... Look but don't touch.
Yeah, that lasted all of 30 seconds.
http://gallery.njpinebarrens.com/data/414/medium/TOUCH.JPG
Even in winter, can't keep my kids away from the surf.

g.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

OH MY GOD, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! :rofl:

A job well done, George. Congratulations!

It must be comforting to know that there are ambulances at the ready.

 

[bobpbx]

George, that was a blast watching everyone go in. It was a huge crowd; thousands. I had a good time. It was quite exciting watching and laughing at everyone freeze their butts off. The good time was infectious. I highly recommend watching this. I'm gonna bring my daughter and son some day to watch.

 

[LARGO]

OH MY GOD, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! :rofl:
A job well done, George. Congratulations!
It must be comforting to know that there are ambulances at the ready.

Sadly enough, my mind is a terribly wasted thing.
Thank you for the congrats. It is a good feeling in the end after we perform this idiocy that it does kids good.
There are always emergency personel and vehicles about in & out of the water, and they keep a good eye. Great people.

Any one at all that wants to try it out, please tag along next year. It rocks.
I got asked to donate back in 2000, I said heck I'll just do it myself.
The fellow who got me started long since quit and here I still am.
Who knows? You might like it.

g.

 

[LARGO]

Thanks Buddy

Yes Bob,
Carryin' a little winter Pooch there I guess. Nothing a few situps can't fix.
And if you looked around... There were some scary physiques out there.
It's easy to feel O.K. when you have some of the folks around you like what comes to this event.
Great seein' you man! That rocked.

g.

 

[MarkBNJ]

Haha, looks like fun . And that piece of equipment looks like a two-barrel deck-mounted bilge pump.

 

[LARGO]

Haha, looks like fun . And that piece of equipment looks like a two-barrel deck-mounted bilge pump.

Right you are, it is a pump.
Although for one brief second I thought you were jumping in on Bob's Pun.

g.

 

[Ben Ruset]

Hey ---

Would you mind throwing those pics up on Flikr instead of the gallery here? I really want to keep it Pine Barrens pics only, and one of these days this guy:

will show up in the random photo on the front page and scare away children and possibly small animals.

 

[bobpbx]

No problem Ben. I thought about that. I'll send them to Largo.......bob