13 braved chill for tradition

On the very chilly day of Jan. 1, there were 13 hardy souls that braved the cold waters of Senator's Wash at noon.

Water temperature was 42 degrees and air temperature 51 degrees.

This was a tradition started by Mr. and Mrs. Bevyans 28 years ago. Although they did not join us this year, we all jumped in the cold water and then later toasted with mimosas. Most of us have had a few years of doing this. As it happened, this was my 13th year with 13 people in 2013. Several of the others have had a few more dips than I have and we had three first-timers.

Along with our bear master, Blake Brown, there was Al and Myrna Green, Wayne Johnston, Buzz Christian, Denny Sette, BJ Koeckes, Sharon Muir, Kathy Smith, Robin Bettis, Jeff Erlwein, Stephanie Barth and Judith Sheward. I must say that Wayne Johnston stayed in the water longer than any of the rest of us.

JUDITH SHEWARD
Bear mistress
Foothills