It’s February in Minnesota and snow still covers the ground. I’m dreaming of spring arriving early this year. For Minnesotans like me who prefer other seasons, hope springs eternal for a short winter and early spring. Those hopes are often not realized.
“Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.”
―
How to Survive Winter in Minnesota
I decided this year to come up with a plan for enjoying winter while it was here. As winter first set in and I struggled with a nasty long-lasting virus through most of January, my plan devolved into simple survival which meant having plenty of Kleenix in the house, a stack of good books to read, and staying warm indoors.
Fortunately I recovered fully from the nasty bug and in February turned towards the outdoors once again. Being out in nature, even in the coldest months of the year nourishes my soul and spirit. Whenever I can, I head out for a walk, even if it’s only a short walk in the neighborhood.
On days like yesterday when the temperatures were cold, but not too cold, Minnesotans head outside to enjoy sports like cross-country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, snow shoeing, sledding, and hockey. They can be seen everywhere on city streets and lakes, running, walking, biking, and enjoying winter.
The Right Outdoor Gear Makes all the Difference
One of the ways that I learned how to survive winter in Minnesota, is by wearing the right outdoor gear, including long underwear, down coats, wool hats, and warm boots.
Early this winter I purchased a pair of fleece-lined winter pants from Duluth Trading. They were expensive so I waffled back and forth about getting them. But once I tried them on I was sold. When I took them up to the counter to pay for them, the clerk who helped me said, “These are the best things Duluth Trading has ever invented!”
So I’ve now tried them out and concur with the sales clerk’s opinion. What a winter wonder! I’ve worn them for several walks in the woods so far this winter. And I’m a believer! I can move with ease and these pants along with my coat, wool hat, boots, and gloves help me stay comfortable on my walks.
Yesterday I headed over to French Regional Park to take a hike with my camera. There were lots of cross country skiers out on the trails near where I walked. Several families were enjoying the big sledding hill. When I asked one woman how the sledding was today she answered brightly, “Fast! Really fast!” After the above freezing temperatures of the day before and the freezing overnight the hill appeared to be a solid block of icy snow. Fast indeed! I took one look at the steep hill and the people flying down it and decided to let others enjoy that adrenaline rush. I prefer less scary winter activities.
Out on the lake I saw lots of people out ice fishing. That’s another sport I’ll take a pass on. My parents used to take us fishing when I was a child. I didn’t enjoy it then (mosquitoes, putting worms on hooks, boredom and the lack of bathrooms near where we fished sealed my opinion). And I cannot imagine enjoying it being more fun out on an icy lake.
I love the beauty of winter, even when I complain about the difficulty snow, ice, and cold cause.
“Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people’s legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world.”
― The Sugar Queen
On my hike yesterday, the clouds were mostly grey. The world appeared to be stark with dark contrasts between the naked trees and the bright white snow. But beauty found me none the less. In a dried leaf lying on the snow, bright colored jackets of skiers flashing through the trees, snow piled on picnic tables waiting for spring.
How do you survive winter?
May you walk in beauty.
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