I just have to wonder how long we will have to go without sunshine. Winter, for me, usually seems to start dragging by after the new year has made its appearance. Overall we have had a pretty mild winter and for that I am thankful. I have and will continue to whine when we get snow for many days in a row. It has not been enough snow to make the back ache, just enough to need shoveling.
This is actually a good time to take advantage of these mild temperatures and enjoy some outdoors activities. When my two sons were young they would always be doing things outdoors, and still do to this day, for that matter. I could really relate to their love of the outdoors; that was me, doing the exact same thing when I was their age. When they were small they would beg to go sliding and like a good dad, I would take them to the hill by what was then called the “dog pound.” Like any person who has done that, you’d enjoy going down the hill, but the walk back up – not so much. After a fun ride down, the boys would scurry back up the hill and wait while dad brought the sleds with him as he trudged up that steep hill.
When I was a kid I tried it all as far as the outdoors activities goes. I and my friends would go sledding, ice skating and even skiing, the latter being my least favorite. I had gotten a pair of skis for Christmas one year and I was determined to master, or at least become proficient at, the art of skiing. One Saturday morning a bunch of us kids walked to the golf course to do a little sledding on the back nine. I also had a toboggan at the time which was really fast. Some of the kids wanted me to bring it along, so that we could take turns using it. After attempting a few trips down the hill on the skis I was starting to get the hang of it when on my next trip down the hill the neighbor girl, Lynette, ran over the back of my skis with “my” toboggan. I stopped rapidly, or should I say my skis did, I continued down the hill minus the skis and didn’t exactly land on my feet. That was my last attempt at mastering a pair of skis.
When my boys weren’t sledding they were skating at Academy Park. We only lived a block away, so it was easily within walking distance. Whenever they wanted to get a rise out of their Dad, they would ask for a ride to the park. When I started to yell that they could walk a block – they would then start laughing, knowing that they had gotten me once again.
Skating at “the pond” was one of my favorite things to do as a kid, especially after I had gotten a new pair of skates for Christmas. Us kids would go to the pond to play boot hockey and those of us who had skates would also play. We would gather enough wood to have a bonfire to warm up by and that was almost more fun for us than the game. These were times when kids made their own fun and being outdoors was a big part of that. This was simple fun that we enjoyed many times over during the course of the winter.
Get out and explore Minnesota state parks and trails in winter!
Enjoy the outdoors all year long! Winter offers a whole new way to play in Minnesota state parks and trails. Snowy trails and sledding hills offer fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Try your hand at fat biking or enjoy the snowmobiling trails. Watch the wildlife as you take a winter hike or snowshoe. Many parks even offer rental gear, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own skis and snowshoes!
Until next time I encourage everyone to keep area police officer Arik Matson, who was shot and critically injured, in your thoughts and prayers. It sounds like he is making progress in his recovery but still has a long road to recovery ahead of him.
Please take a few moments also to honor those who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we enjoy today. Also take a little extra time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who have served and those troops that are serving today.