It’s been almost a year since we last ventured forth on our snowshoes – for a hike to the summit of Burton Butte in the Oregon Cascades. After that, the snow in Oregon stopped cooperating (i.e., it melted) and then we found a whole lot of other stuff to keep us busy (like moving). But we dutifully packed our snowshoes since we’d heard that it snowed in Minnesota – maybe even more so than in Oregon. ❄🙄😉
After a wonderfully long summer and lingeringly mild Fall, winter finally reached the Gopher State. The first couple of snow storms whitened things up some but didn’t bring enough frozen sky water to justify unlimbering the snowshoes. Plus much of this snow was packed flat and firm by all the folks keen to get out and play in it.
This changed starting last Monday night when a real Storm-a-Geddon arrived after having thoroughly soaked the West Coast and points in between. It’s been snowing here ever since and thus far a foot (30 cm) or more has fallen all over everything. Collisions and closures on the highways. A ground-stop at the airport. School delays. All the usual Winter stuff.
The time had arrived to unpack our snowshoes and take them for a “warm-up” out-and-back shuffle to nearby Lone Lake. No need to get in the car and experience any winter driving excitement. Probably a good idea since every collision repair shop in Minnesota is booked until Spring. 😕
We found plenty of snow out there now for snowshoes. We’re calling it a Fourth Day snowshoe as an homage to the First Day hike we did before Storm-a-Geddon struck. The season’s first snowshoe always reminds us of how much more (good) exercise it is than just skipping along in running shorts and trail shoes.
Even at just 2.8 miles (4.5 km), this season’s first snowshoe outing roused those snow-specific muscles that lie dormant (and uncomplaining) during the languid months of simple walking. We drop kicked these muscles into action today and they were (and are) not happy. Not happy. 😒
But as winter progresses, these muscles will fall into line and stop their whinging (helped along in that regard by the miracle of ibuprofen). Then we can keep painlessly busy in the snow until winter relents and the wildflowers return. 🌼😁
BOOTS on the TRAIL 
Thanks! With us, hibernation is not an option. 😀
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I love these images as they showcase the winter wonderland that resulted from this most recent storm. I admire your getting out and enjoying your new home.
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Aside from the laughs from all the snowy face plants, snowshoes seem like a good way to slow the faster students down a bit and start teaching them about patience and being deliberate in their actions. 😄 I understand there’s a subset of folks (adults) who choose to run in snowshoes – just a slightly wider stance and lifting your knees higher is supposedly all it takes. Well, maybe, but that’s not something I’m ever likely to try. 😉
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When I worked as a para with 4-6th graders, we went to Deep Portage and had so much fun snowshoeing! We had some students who liked to do everything fast. They had all of us laughing so hard as we watched them try to ‘run’ in their snowshoes. It was such a fun bunch of students!
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This was our first really big snowfall since we moved to Minnesota. Glad we kept our snowshoes! 😃
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WOW! That looks simply amazing! Mel
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