Ice skating on Peaks Island

We’ve all been cooped up in the house for nearly a year. Stir crazy doesn’t even come close to describing our family’s state of mind. The summer provided some respite, allowing us islanders access to the great outdoors before the temperature dropped. Now that the winter’s moved in, it can be hard to motivate oneself to bundle up and get out.

But, all of that changed when the pond behind our house froze over and one by one the Peaks Island skaters arrived. Trout Pond is a manmade body of water constructed when the backshore was a military base during World War II. Today much of the old base is now an environmental preserve, including part of the pond. In the summer, Trout Pond is a watering hole best avoided (read: beavers!). But in the winter, when the arctic air blows in from the north, the pond becomes an ideal skating park.

Triple Axels Encouraged

It’s been delightful watching islanders of all sorts take to the pond during the most recent cold spell. Kiddos on their first set of skates learning to glide over the ice – 5-gallon drywall bucket as a guide – are particularly fun to watch. The pond also draws out professionals: ex-hockey players who roll-up with a puck (and, let’s be honest, a 6-pack) for a quick pick-up game, winter athletes looking to spin around lap after lap and even a very graceful figure skater doing loops – though I’ve yet to witness any triple axels.

I picked up a pair of skates downtown, and have some for Q too when he’s ready. This year, in particular, simple pleasures like coasting across frozen water are even more meaningful.