Yesterday was Hockey Day in Minnesota; one day set aside to celebrate the sport of hockey in the State of Hockey. It was celebrated with the return of the NHL and the Minnesota Wild’s game. The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers played, high school teams across the state played (including some games held outside), and the US Pond Hockey Championship was ongoing too. Six years ago the Pond Hockey Championship was started to celebrate the joy of hockey “the way nature intended” on a lake in Minneapolis. The weather was mild on Friday and Saturday morning, but a front moved through Saturday afternoon with the temperatures plummeting from 37 to 11 degrees in a matter of hours, and the winds picked up until they were howling at 20+ mph. No worries though…the games went on. We wandered down to Lake Nokomis around 5:30pm to take in the energy and the excitement as the last games of the day were finishing just after dusk. The sky was dark with the last blush of sunset on the far horizon, the lights were turned on for the hockey rinks on the lake, and the wind was blowing loose snow across the ice. But all was right in Minnesota, and the cold was just another reason to revel in the winter weather and appreciate what is means to be in the State of Hockey.
sunset
Savoring the winter sunset
Minnesotans are happy that we are having a winter! The temperatures have remained below freezing and we couldn’t be happier! Yes, it may sound strange to those living in warmer and more temperate climates that we’re glad it’s cold, but with this more “normal” winter weather we can get out and enjoy the activities that make winter memorable. The neighborhood ice rinks have hockey games at night, the skating rinks are filled with graceful skaters and those that aspire to their grace. The golf courses are filled with cross-country skiers and snowshoers, and our lakes are open for fishing again. All it takes is a trip out onto the ice, either on foot or by car or truck (if the ice is thick enough), something to drill a hole in the ice, a line to drop through the hole, and the patience and luck to be successful. And last night there was a plethora of hopeful people outside ice fishing on a nearby lake. It also helped that there was a winter sunset that put on a beautiful display, as if beckoning us out to savor the winter weather and this sunset.
Fishing at sunset
Our Minnesota landscape has become much more winter-like. Temperatures have remained below freezing for the past 10 days, allowing the lakes to freeze. And with that the ice houses have started to go up and people are active once again around the lakes. As I drove past this lake the other night, there was a very fine snow that was falling. It was so delicate as to cause the sun to glow as it was starting to set below the cloudbank to the west. In its own way it seemed to be announcing that all was right with the winter world in Minnesota.
Wherever you are as the calendar turns into the new year, I wish you joy and wonder, happiness and health in 2013. Thanks to all of you that have been following my blog, and I hope you will continue to share in my weekly writings, photographs, and adventures. Happy new year!
Observations from a quick road trip
I made a quick trip on Interstate 35 this weekend. Driving home I compiled some short observations from the journey:
1. Exit 22 in Minnesota is for the towns of Hartland and Geneva. The exit sign going south lists them as Geneva Hartland. That will be my pen name if I’m ever in need of one!
2. This heartland area was glowing in the late afternoon light. The soybeans are yellowing, the corn is drying, and with a bit of a haze in the air the area was beautiful. I’m thankful for all the food this country produces.
3. The red lights on each of the wind turbines all blink off and on at the same time.
4. It’s an eerie sight to see combines working in the dark in the fields.
5. It’s disconcerting to hear bugs splatting on the windshield right after dusk, especially so many bugs!
6. Sometimes luck is on your side, but you have to recognize it and act on it. I made a quick stop for gas and food at Clear Lake, Iowa (home of the Surf Ballroom – the location of the last show by Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper in 1959). As I looked down the road I saw the potential for a beautiful sunset. With my GPS I could follow just the right roads to the lake and found a beautiful park with sand beaches and a perfect view to the quickening sunset. Many of the people who were out walking, biking, and/or fishing stopped to take in this sunset. It was worth the extra 30 minutes out of my drive to enjoy this bit of beauty.
7. Family is worth 16 hours on the road!
On the cusps of night and day
After record-breaking heat this past week we finally cooled down a bit yesterday. And with a Saturday evening with nothing to do we loaded the canoe on the car, grabbed our fishing rods, and headed out for some lake-time. As we put in to the water the winds died down, and as sunset approached we knew we were in for a treat. Our paddles whispered as they entered the water, the dragonflies were dancing over the surface, and we could glide over the lily pads in quiet. I would fish, then stop and photograph. I’d then put my camera away convinced that the sunset couldn’t get any better, only to pull it back out again. It was a wonderful way to end the day – the quiet of the lake and a mess of sunfish and crappies. And when this morning dawned with quiet and calm too, I headed out early on my bicycle for a quick ride. Like last night there was a great magic in the early hours. The birds were awakening, there was little traffic, the wildflowers were blooming by the sides of the road, and my bike tires sailed smoothly across the pavement. These truly are the “magic hours” and they make me appreciate all that is wonderful about this time and this place.
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