who's is in the kitchen: judy joszef

Visit to frigid Lake Placid was one for the books

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Having returned home from a cruise to the Caribbean, I was sufficiently rested, and wasn’t thinking about another vacation till next year. That was, till my husband Jerry mentioned skiing in Lake Placid. His daughter and 9-year-old grandson were going for a few days during President’s week, and he thought it would be nice to join them. I agreed. Jerry loves the cold weather and snow sports (which I don’t) and it would give him an opportunity to enjoy both the outdoors and his daughter and grandson.

I said, “Great idea, I can prepare food and snacks for all of you.” He said, “I was thinking of both of us joining them.” “Snow, cold, outdoors and a six hour drive? I think not!” I replied.

In the end, I agreed, but let’s just say I wasn’t happy about it.

Jerry tried to get me into the outdoor mode. Knowing I like to do things a little out of the ordinary, he said, should I want to, I would be able to try the luge and bobsled on the same track and in the same equipment as the Olympians did. That sounded both inviting and scary. After watching videos of others who had tried it, it did look like fun, but the bobsled and luge traveled at speeds over 55 miles an hour on an ice track. Good news was, the fee included a photo, team T shirt, bobsled lapel pin and — get this — a membership in the U.S. Bobsled and Luge Federation. How could I turn that down? What could be more exciting? Yes, I know, Olympic curling, but alas that wasn’t available, so I would settle for the other two.

We were going for three days, so naturally I brought food for three weeks. The night before we left it was –28F in Lake Placid. I wasn’t happy. I dug out hiking boots that Jerry bought me years ago when he dragged me snowshoeing. They were good up to –25F. He wanted to purchase the ones good for –45F. I said, “If you’re taking me somewhere that my –25F boots, can’t protect my feet, no worries. I won’t be going.” I should have listened to him.

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