There are few things that can get a person more into the holiday spirit than gliding across the ice while Bing Crosby croons in the background, the winter sky turns orange and purple as the sun sets, and little white lights illuminate everything. Ice skating outside just feels different than in indoor rinks.
It might sound impossible in South Carolina, where December temperatures are almost never cold enough to freeze a puddle all the way, let alone a pond. But take a walk down Main Street in three South Carolina cities and you'll see it's true. Spartanburg, Rock Hill and Greenville have set up temporary outdoor skating rinks, complete with skate rentals, music and twinkling lights, right in the midst of their bustling downtowns for the holiday season.
So grab the kids and go for a twirl. Or, if you're a new skater, hang on to the boards as you tiptoe your way around. You'll get the hang of it faster than you might think. One of the best parts of going skating is watching how everyone - from young to old - improves in just a few minutes.
