We had spent the weekend exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Our last day had been cold, with bright sunshine and strong winds. The snow was deep inland from the lake and there had been no thawing anywhere as the temps hovered near zero. We pulled into our cabin after sunset, yet there was a hint of light in the sky. With a bright star high above, the sound of the waves lapping against the shore, and the comfort of a light to guide us, we knew we were back – to enjoy a fire in the fireplace, and to marvel and appreciate the beauty that surrounded us on our explorations and our journeys.
winter
A winter getaway
We’ve just returned from a weekend getaway along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Winter was in all its glory with temps hovering between zero and below. Our days were spent marveling in the beauty of the area and of winter along the far northeast corner of Minnesota and across the border into Ontario. At Kakabeka Falls outside of Thunder Bay much of the water was frozen but there were still torrents plummeting over the edge, and the cold winter air caused sea smoke to rise off of Lake Superior. Along the Gunflint Trail people were out participating in and cheering a dog sled race, and there was also a fat tire bike festival taking place. It was good to see so many people in multiple layers of clothing, big hats, thick gloves, and heavy, big boots – all ready to embrace the adventures that are unique to a cold Minnesota weekend.
Moving into winter
Last weekend’s snow disappeared with the rain that followed for a few days. Once again our ground was visible, and winter seemed far away. But the snow started falling again last night, and by this morning we had six inches of fluffy white snow on the ground and the trees. There was no wind, so the snow stayed where it fell, gracing the branches and trees. This delicate hydrangea bloom was a recipient of the dusting, and it seemed to sparkle with the flakes scattered over its blossoms. The temperatures have been below freezing the last few days and the lakes are icing over. This afternoon I saw a large skein of Canada geese heading southward. They were much higher in the air today as they continued past their usual stops in our area, knowing that they must continue further south to find open water. And there was a noticeable stillness in the air tonight; a nearly full moon shone down as the snow glistened in its light absorbing the sounds as we quickly move into the winter season.
Fresh blanket of snow
We woke up this morning to a fresh blanket of snow — on the ground and on the trees. It was a wet snow, and with little wind it was clinging to the trees and piling up on the branches. Everything was fresh and white. As the morning wore on and the temperature stayed near 30 degrees, people were out enjoying the winter landscape. I saw a family building a snow fort, numerous snowmen in various shapes and stages of development, people walking and running, dogs playing in the snow, and even some sleds were brought out for the first time this winter.
Winter’s arrival
We knew it was coming; it was even later than usual this year. But winter’s arrival is always a shock, especially when the temperature drops 30 degrees in one day, the wind blows and gusts, and the rain turns to snow. For less than 48 hours we have been below freezing. The snow fell Friday afternoon and evening, and here in the Twin Cities we have less than an inch on the ground. But the white was evident on the plants and grass, and the cold was enough to put a layer of ice on the water in the Ordway Japanese Garden at Como Park. One tree bravely held on to its bright red leaves – the only real spark of color in the now-winter landscape. In this beautiful quiet this morning, the only sound was the waterfall that was continuing to gurgle and the geese whose flight south to open water took on a new sense of urgency.
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