Single Older Woman – Life’s passion – Canadians are a hearty bunch

July 2021

After being on the road for most of the day with blue skies and sunshine, I arrived at my stop over hotel in Goderich, ON. This hotel boasted an indoor pool and I was thrilled to be able to go for a swim later that evening.

Well, as most hotel chains were just starting to re-open after many lockdowns, getting the pool water to the right temperature takes more than turning on the heater that afternoon.

I returned to my room, after dinner at the #BeachStreetStation restaurant, donned my swim suit, and headed to the pool. Well then, the temperature left a lot to be desired and I found myself unable to submerge myself in the water – it was frigid cold…..not “polar dip” lake cold, but uncomfortable enough that I could not enjoy it. So I would have to wait until my lake swim at #SaubleBeach, before I could revel in the warm, therapeutic, calming effects of the water.

I’ve spent my entire life in the water- as children, we were blessed to have an outdoor pool in our backyard, summers were spent at Bluewater Beach and/or #WasagaBeach on #GeorgianBay, indoor pools at our fitness gyms and most recently at our community centres, where I’ve been a regular lap swimmer for the last 13 years. The average temperature of these pools is usually around 85 degrees celsius….

For many years, in spring and fall, my bff’s and I would travel north to the #ScandinaveSpa to enjoy the scenery, the wooded areas, the saunas, hot tub, steam rooms and the lovely lounge areas in front of the wood burning stove.

Only two of my lovely friends, had the courage and gumption, to jump into and submerge themselves completely in the Nordic waterfall or the cold plunge bath. Nope, I could not do it – I headed to right to the Hot Baths…..lol…

Most of the lakes in Canada are not the warmest and unless our summers are super warm, the temperature rises to about 20 – 22 degrees celsius. So, we’ve all learned to cope with it……eg – those that take the plunge in Lake Ontario for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Ice dip…..not this Canadian…..sorry…

Thank you for reading and letting me share.

Joye