The gray sky and falling snowflakes made for the perfect Polar Plunge backdrop at Mauch Chunk Lake on Saturday morning.

As a primary pants wearer, I had never stood outside in January in shorts, much less jumped into a 32-degree lake but as I rolled out of bed at 8 a.m., drank my hot coffee and flipped my omelet, that is exactly what I was preparing to do.Dressed in swimsuit shorts and a long-sleeve workout shirt, I layered on sweatpants, two pairs of socks and zip-up hoodie over my makeshift plunge suit before making my way to the frigid waters of Sleeping Bear.Surveying the lake, I had spent countless afternoons swimming, hiking, picnicking and writing at, I appreciated the reflected gray of the sky and snapped a few serene pictures of the calm waters. The crowd began to fill in quickly around 11 a.m., when I sought an experienced jumper’s advice.Wear shoes, that was the big one, wear shoes and don’t worry about running out and stripping down quickly.Sounded easy enough, but I had already devised a plan to run top speed across the sandy shore and directly to my car where a warm shirt, socks and a thick pair of leggings waited for me. Steam rose from the cups of hot chocolate that children clutched as they watched their parents psych themselves up for the dip.The Jim Thorpe Fire Department was on hand “just in case.” Luckily, Fire Chief Bill Diehm reported there had yet to be a rescue effort to pull someone from the cold water of the lake.A chicken, a penguin and polar bear danced to the typical sporting event music while the audience and participants waited for the start of the annual fundraising plunge. Jumpers took their mark, shedding robes and heavy clothing between the double lines of family, friends and those with cameras.My co-worker Brian warned me I couldn’t “chicken out now,” and he was right.Grabbing my GoPro for a fancy underwater shot, I left my layers of cold protection at a picnic table, keeping my red beanie on to hold in warmth and hide my hat-hair.I wove into the middle of the group and watched the more expert jumpers hit the lake and either belly or back flop into the snowy edged lake.“Are you nervous?” I asked the pair of teenagers next to me.“Yes,” the girl cheered.“Me too,” I said.Her enthusiasm was infectious and soon I found myself making the typical excited girl squeals and screams as the chilly air wrapped around my exposed legs and adrenaline began to kick in.Soon it was our turn to hit the water. I lagged behind, allowing the youth to take center stage in the jump. Noticing they had both flopped into the lake, I knew I was not going to be able to dip a toe in and run back out. As the adult in the trio I had to show them how it was done.Unfortunately, I was a bit taller than my running mates and had to go farther into the depths in order to be submerged.The water was a shock to the system. Trying my best not to yell out tried-and-true curse words, I side jumped into the 3 feet of water.Gathering my wits, I tried to stand. An eternity passed as my hair hung in icicles and I had to make my way “Baywatch” style back to dry land. Executing my plan, I bee-lined through the crowd and continued to emit high-pitched squeals until I reached my still warm car.The shoes and socks were torn from my feet as freezing-fire crept into the tips of my toes. The rest of the crowd followed soon after, leaving the lake to its quiet once again.I had been told it would be “invigorating,” and it was. After putting on three pairs of socks, two shirts and leggings under my jeans, the rest of the day was a breeze.