Social Gathering

[Matt Steinberg]

Hello Everyone,

I am very sad to have missed the event in Burlington last night. It sounded like a really great time and I would have loved to have been able to see everyone. Unfortunately, my friend and I would have had long drives back and early mornings today so it wasn't really feasible. I am so happy that so many people were able to attend and thank you again for putting this together and the excellent website that has been developed.

Yesterday my friend Sarah and I drove up to Iroquois reservoir to skate. It was a really great skate and thank you to the scouters who reported on this little gem. I counted at least 23 other skaters out there yesterday, and for me a day like yesterday is the absolute epitome of what makes our sport so great. With like mind, many of us drove 100 miles or more to get to this lake, and with little to no coordination, all seemed to meet up at the same general time. Everyone I saw I had at least  met once before and I had the opportunity to see many people that are very special to me that I only get to see one or two days a year due to time and distance constraints. Recognizable first by a distinctive stride or the color of their drysuit, and as you come closer by the joyful smile hiding under their helmet. Warm greetings, great stories, and lots of laughs. Beautiful, smooth ice covered in a velvety blanket of powder and festive flakes softly falling in a bucolic setting. People of all backgrounds and ages spanning hundreds of miles of distance, all brought together and bonded through a mutual love of the outdoors and the unfathomable beauty that winter so generously offers us if we choose to accept it. New people  just getting into this great sport and true Legends and Gurus (you know who you are!) whose vast knowledge and experience have grown this sport and community in invaluable ways. I love logging lots of miles and crazy adventures but days like these are truly special. A microcosm of how the world at large should and could be. I can't wait to see you all out on the ice again and hope that everyone has a great season.

Matt