EmbRRRRRacing Winter

Look at the bright side, the March Equinox that signals the end of winter is just around the corner! Ahh, who are we kidding! As North Dakotans we all know the reality of that is very unlikely. But, instead of wishing the last 6-7 weeks of winter away, let’s make the most of the beauty and variety of activities that winter has to offer us here on the frozen tundra.

During our last blizzard, I was looking out the kitchen window of our home watching the cold, whipped snow pile up in our yard and I couldn’t help but imagine the task that awaited me to remove it from our driveway. As I stood there in a daze, by no conscious effort on my part, my focus suddenly shifted from the ugliness and stress that was my outdoor surroundings, to noticing the true beauty of what was going on around me….in the middle of a blizzard!

As I watched and took time to notice, the snow was dancing in the most perfectly choreographed dance routine that I had ever seen, and the resulting shapes of the snow drifts were simply unimaginable. My surroundings were alive and changing before my eyes, and it made me think about the many things that those who don’t live here may never experience:

• Sun Dogs
• Hoarfrost
• Bon fires on a frozen lake, etc.

Admittedly, I am a snow lover, but my real-life snow globe made me truly reflect on all the activities that winter has to offer, and yes, there are a bunch.

Below is a list of just a few:

• Snowshoeing: In Fargo, you can rent snowshoes at Edgewood Golf Course and B. Johnson Park. FYI, snowshoeing burns between 420 and 1000 calories per hour.
• Cross country skiing: There are 10 parks that have groomed cross country ski trails in the Red River Valley. You can rent skis at both Edgewood Golf Course and B. Johnson Park.
• Ice skating: There are over 30 outdoor ice-skating rinks scattered across Fargo and its sister cities of West Fargo and Moorhead.
• Sledding: We all know Fargo is flat, but you can still find a few great sledding hills in the city. Mickelson Park in Fargo also offers free sled rentals.
• Curling: Fargo’s FM Curling Club features world-class curling events for your viewing pleasure. The FM Curling Club also schedules “Learn to Curl Sessions” where you can get out there and pretend you’re an Olympic hopeful.

For a full list of events and activities going on in and around Fargo during the winter months, visit https://www.fargomoorhead.org/outdoor-activities/article/nothing-to-do-in-the-winter/

Although it may not come fast enough for many, winter is in fact winding down and will again make way to warmer days and the hope that spring and summer bring. In the meantime, let’s not wish away the beauty that is currently around us. We are a hearty people who call this place home, so let’s bundle up ourselves, our children and our pets, and Embrrrrrace winter!