The winter storm continued to close schools, businesses and state offices Tuesday, as Nashville turned into a snow-covered city. But, for the more adventurous, the growing piles of snow and ice meant sledding down the Capitol hill, snowboarding in front of the Parthenon and playing ice hockey in Centennial Park.
You read that right. Outdoor hockey behind the Parthenon as Lake Watauga — or at least half of it — iced over.
I was taking pictures of snow-covered Centennial Park (again) this afternoon when a pickup game of hockey started on Lake Watauga with the Parthenon as a backdrop. Thanks to Turner Wood, Ben Wood, Sam Maloney and Cole Marciniak for letting me watch and shoot the action! pic.twitter.com/avNKQHkcS9
— Rachel Iacovone (@racheliacovone) February 16, 2021
Georgia-raised Turner Wood was one of the brave souls who put on his skates.
“Skating on a pond is something that like every hockey player who doesn’t grow up somewhere where it’s normal is excited for and wants to do,” Wood said. “So, we were immediately like, ‘Ok, cool, like, let’s go. Let’s do this.’ ”
What the video doesn’t show is that Wood, initially, kind of fell in. So, yes, the ice was as thin as some feared on the edges, but it held up for the match between Wood, his friend, and two players from another men’s league team. And the lake stayed solid enough for a couple dozen skaters to take to the ice by nightfall, inspired by the original four.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsBen Wood, Sam Maloney and Cole Marciniak play ice hockey on Lake Watauga in Centennial Park.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsCole Marciniak passes to Ben Wood.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsSam Maloney skates with the puck.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsBen Wood skates around with a puck to warm up as Cole Marciniak practices shots in the background.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsBen Wood skates around the group with a puck as Turner Wood, Sam Maloney and Cole Marciniak stand in their skates chatting.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN News(Left to right) Sam Maloney, Turner Wood, Ben Wood and Cole Marciniak play ice hockey on Lake Watauga in Centennial Park.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsTurner Wood maneuvers a puck around on the ice.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN News(Left to right) Sam Maloney, Turner Wood and Ben Wood warm up on the ice.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsLake Wataugua is frozen solid on both ends on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, but is still rippling water in the center as temperatures linger in the teens.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsThe Parthenon stands tall in frozen Centennial Park after the first round of winter weather in Nashville.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsCentennial Park was a frozen winter wonderland after the major winter storm system swept through the South.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsA snowboarder uses the slanted road to the Parthenon as a slope in Centennial Park.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsVanderbilt University’s football stadium is visible through the icy trees in Centennial Park on February 16, 2021.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsThe Parthenon stands in snow-covered Centennial Park.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsThe snow-covered Capitol hill drew sledders out to the slope after Nashville’s first round of winter weather.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsTwo adults sled down the hill as children climbing back to the top look on.
Rachel Iacovone WPLN NewsAt the bottom of the hill, one sledder helps another up.
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