We headed out late one afternoon for some snowshoeing. The Twin Cities are filled with wonderful parks that allow you to get “away” from the city, even though it’s all around. I had been to this park before on my bicycle and knew that it had a paved walking trail through it. I was surprised that the trail had actually been plowed, so we carried our snowshoes for awhile. In the center of the park is a wonderful prairie area, with a grove of trees sitting up on a hill. It was the perfect place to don our snowshoes and head off into the knee-deep snow. There was a wonderful quiet to the afternoon – a stillness that occurs when the snow absorbs all the sounds around it. We were out as the sun travelled low in the horizon, lighting the clouds in the western sky. What a treasure it is to have the beauty (and quiet) of nature so near to enjoy.
snow
A celebration of all things wintry
This week was the beginning the St. Paul Winter Carnival, a true celebration of all things having to do with winter. And this year the weather has cooperated in fine fashion (some might even say it’s been a bit too cold). In past years some of the events have had to be cancelled or shortened because of warming temperatures, but that isn’t an issue for us now. The snow sculptures were being carved yesterday as I wandered around the Minnesota Fairgrounds. This huge sculpture was especially popular for photographs, with the St. Paul Winter Carnival emblem in the center, surrounded by all sorts of cold-weather creatures and beasts. There were even some “tools of the trade” – chests of saws and chisels – that were still being used for touch up. The celebration continues through next weekend (although I truly believe winter will be lasting much longer than that!).
A fresh snowfall
We awoke yesterday morning to a fresh coating of snow – about four plus inches. And while it was still snowing, the forecast was for quickly clearing skies. I bundled up and headed over to Como Park. Arriving before dawn, there was already activity all around. The skiers were out on the golf course enjoying the open spaces, and the groomer was methodically going around the course near the ski hill laying the tracks. As the sun made its way above the low-lying clouds, it caused the shadows to pick up the patterns of the track – line after line after line. Just a few minutes after I made this photo, a group of skiers swooshed past me and down the hill, smiling and chatting and commenting how lucky they were to have such a glorious morning to be out and about.
A cold start to the morning
Like many people, we’re dealing with colder than normal temperatures. Sometimes the cold allows for some unusual photography, and such was the case this morning. Dressed with multiple layers we headed out before dawn, with a temp of -11. The air was crisp, and the snow was loud and crunchy underfoot. The main sections of the Mississippi River are frozen, but there are some areas that remain open. We wandered down to Hidden Falls Regional Park where a portion of the river was open allowing steam to rise into the cold air. At the edges of the open water were large sections of frost and we could see the new layers of ice forming. It seemed unusual to hear the flowing water when the air and outside temperatures were so very cold. Although it was a beautiful sight to enjoy, it was only for a short while as we headed back for some needed warmth and comfort.
Watching the winter sunset
The days are short and the nights are long in our Minnesota-part of the hemisphere. After a stretch of sub-zero days, and the prediction of more to follow, yesterday was a breath of warmer air. Our highs reached into the 40’s and brought people outside as if it were late springtime. I was at Como Park to enjoy the late afternoon and watched this couple as they lingered over the early sunset. The shadows ran long across the snow but their spirits were high as they laughed and encouraged a man who was drilling holes in the ice for fishing. The sun set quickly, darkness took over, the wind picked up, and as predicted the temperatures fell to subzero overnight. Our respite was short but gave us the hope of warmer days in the distant future.
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