Winter Please

Weather forecasts one week ago initiated thoughts of full on winter with colorful models. Know better than to count chickens before they are hatched but its fun to dream. Who hasn't bought a lottery ticket and wondered what they would do with all the $??  Money doesn't buy happiness but I beg to differ when it come to snow!

 The storm ended up being a bust other than it brightened up the brown landscape. In Fargo here and there over weekend for Jens hockey tourney and drawn to white. Snow fence in north Fargo catching snow from previous storm over Thanksgiving. I called up my good friend Steve who lives nearby and said there was groomable snow!! A chuckle but..

..take this pile nearby (thanks to the skaters tearing it up at the Coliseum and Teamsters arena) spread out and groom...skiing!! Sounds nuts? Keep on reading....

Back south of town is the South arena. Completely forgot about this arena and couldn't remember where it was located. Played her back in the 80's for youth hockey. Treehouse type viewing and a nice running track around the ice. Of all games watched this year, most interesting as parent on opposing team came on ice raging dropping f bombs. Always nice when 9 and 10 year olds are around. 

Attached to the rink is a small sheet of ice with no symmetrical dimensions. Clever use of space and great idea for working on tight situation stuff. Don't be surprised if Lakeshirts owner Fritz does this in town!

 

In between the weekends of snow, the lake was smooth and clear for some great lake skating.


With skiing option out, the fat bike saw action for the one hour break time. More areas explored not traversed. Continued to be amazed by the possibilities. No Christmas present needed again ever. 

About as slippery as it can possibly be but keep it straight and moving forward, all good.

Riding in between Lakes. With a touch of snow on top of the ice, much more comfortable on the stability factor. The ability to link from one lake to the next and explore areas not possible before keeps the wheels moving.

Foreign staff for the winter season arrived this week. Woke up to -14 next morning after arriving night before which was coldest day this season. Good to see them walk down to lake first chance. Paulo comes up to me "What is that noise? Are there whales under the ice?" No whales and an explanation of the "boyng doyng" sound and "making ice".

 First day on the job, burning some brush piles "We are we doing this" Because we are waiting for snow.

Because we don't see enough hockey, snuck up to Moorhead with my dad to catch a great rivalry game between Moorhead and Roseau high school. Jon has played the last 5 summers with a couple of the Moorhead players and fun to see them do battle with the boys from the north. A great fast flowing game that went to ot. One of Jon's buddies, Alex ripped a shot from the point that was deflected for the game winner. Normally I would not like to see MHD win, being a huge rival when I played hs but super nice kids and just great all around hockey. Ever since I was was young teenager, my dad and I have traveled to catch good games with some of the best up north seeing Warroad and Roseau and of course the state tourney back when it was single class in the old St Paul civic with clear boards.

 Talk about linking snow sounded nuts but the DL ski team was busy Tues and Wed shoveling on a football field to make a loop and get a workout in until it comes for real. Jack cranking out one of the 100 laps..(or something like that) Wynn Roberts style (no gloves)  Think Snow!