Article added Wednesday, December 27, 2000
Keeping Up With Tradition
Story & Photos By Julie Black
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Traditions are handed down, from generation to generation, year after year. Although traditions are talked about as old thangs, new traditions are making their way into the history books.
Jason Black has been keeping up with his fairly new tradition for five
years, kayaking on Christmas morning. This has been no easy task to
keep up with, since Jason lives in Appalachia, which receives quite a
bit of snowfall and cold weather during the month of December. This
year was the coldest Christmas morning yet, with temperatures well
below normal and in the teens.
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The paddle was a peaceful one, and the scenery unmatched on a day like that. With ice chunks floating in the blue water, it looked as if the kayakers were boating in Alaska. "The paddle blade felt like I was putting it in jello." said Black.
Most people who heard that Jason and Pete went kayaking that day said that they were crazy, but I believe this Christmas tradition will stick around for a long, long time.
I can't think of a better way to enjoy peace on earth, and feel closer to the heavens on a special day, then just being outside.