Psssst!

Now that we're safely away from those parts, I can announce that there was a reprise of the 2002 Hallstadttersee Polar Bear Swim. The first one still provokes shaking heads among certain Austrians. The swim was well-attended, very cold, and there was one injury from a diver who slipped on the board and landed on his back. He was not at full "YA!" strength for a few days after that, as you might imagine. I personally cannot believe Maddie did this, despite photographic evidence. Jumping into complete blackness terrifies me. Especially seeing the mounted fish on the wall of one house there -- they were like eels with a pirahna face on the front. I would not like to meet one of those on his home turf at high noon, let alone in the middle of the night!
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