The River Experience

I've been known to trip and fall. A lot. (See "Diaries of a Ditz.") Usually, I can keep these instances contained...kind of. For example, when I concentrate really, really hard I can stand up in my high heels for a long period of time without swaying. Or carry a lunch tray throughout the cafeteria without making the nearest student a victim of Meatloaf Surprise and chocolate pudding. However, when I'm alone in the real world, things can get pretty Japanese game show-ish.

This morning, after an extreme snowstorm in the northeast that left schools closed (and mothers of five begging for them to be re-opened...), my brother and I decided to go snowshoeing in our white-blanketed backyard. This was fun until we realized a circle around our 2-acre yard was about as fun as the kiddie Dragon coaster at the carnival (you know, the one that even your Grandma Mae can outrun?) Plus, our moss-covered chimney was not exactly exciting scenery to hike around. So, we began the daunting hike up Ramapo Reservation. (A very big hill.) I hiked all the way up said hill on my feet with no wounds, punctures, lacerations or injuries. I didn't even have any falls threatening a twisted ankle. I was extremely proud of this rare accomplishment.

However, after we were finished hiking up, we started to descend. This was where things got ugly.

At the bottom of the hiking loop, my brother and I saw a frozen-over river. We were familiar with this - it was on the other side of our neighborhood . As a responsible, mature older sister, I warned my younger brother not to go near it. After all, too many newspaper clippings of Ice Fishing Gone Bad had caught my attention over the years and I was terrified of plunging into the water.

He promised he wouldn't jump on top, that "he just wanted to go to the edge and look in". I agreed, and we hiked over to the river, sat on the edge and peered out. Suddenly, I heard an ominous cracking sound (just like in the movies right before the little ice skater with the plaid scarf sinks into oblivion), and realized the "land" we were sitting on was actually the river - just snow-covered! I freaked out and plummeted onto the edge of the the ice-cold (literally) water. Luckily, it was only about 2 feet deep, and I just walked out. Phew!

Despite the fact that I was okay, I know I should take safety more seriously. I haven't exactly been a good girl recently...my mom wasn't exactly "proud" when I mentioned that I hitchhiked last weekend...