Nice ice, baby

The Appleton Park and Recreation Department executed a nearly perfect pour this season which, followed by an epic cold snap, resulted in some nice ice, baby.

I had the whole rink to myself Saturday afternoon and I felt a little giddy with gratitude. Even after all these years of living next door to Erb Park, I still can’t believe how lucky I am.

I can cross the street to that park in any season and enjoy all kinds of cool activities and, on a brisk January Saturday, some cold ones too.

I skated to a soundtrack of laughter from the busy sled hill that forms a backdrop to the rink.

At one point, lost in thought (and, to be honest, in my podcast) I nearly skated right into a man standing on the ice.

“How’s the ice?” he asked.

“It’s great!” I said in as chipper a voice as I could muster, given how startled I was to see him standing there.

“It wasn’t very good last year,” he said.

“Yeah, well, they don’t have a Zamboni,” I said in a tone that meant I’m joking here but do not criticize my park. We suffered through an awkward pause.

“The ice is better this year,” I allowed and we parted amiably.

Later that day I think I spotted him gliding around over there and I was glad that he, too, got some good ice time.

I hope lots of people get to enjoy the rinks around town — they’re popping up like summer dandelions, which will be here before we know it.

And thank you, again, to the people who maintain these beautiful parks that we all get to enjoy for free.