Making the most of winter

By Ryan Briscoe
Cardinal Staff

“There’s no such thing as bad weather,” my Grandfather would say. “Just different kinds of good weather.” Our particular Saint Mary’s-good weather may often involve subzero temperatures, winds up to 20 mph, snow or even freezing rain, but let us review what we have learned so far: There’s snow (deplorable pun intended) such thing as bad weather. Having now accepted the fact that our climate is wonderful in its own right, I have discovered the ultimate way to enjoy the winter weather. It would seem that the best solution for having fun out-of-doors ultimately involves that delightful, refreshing, gentle, caressing, frozen mass of water droplets that currently surrounds us. Yes, we have in our pool of local resources an abundance of snow.

Now, dear reader, I have considered the traditional array of popular snow-themed activities. The frosty amusements of our youths such as starting a snowball fight, going snowshoeing, frolicking along with Grandpa to go ice fishing or even building a snowman are potentially resurrect-able, and those who partake in such pastimes shall always return home with smiles on their faces. Sledding (on the legal hill, not the slope in front of St. Joseph’s Hall) is also a winter favorite. Indeed lacking, dare I say unfulfilled, is the life of one who has not careened down the bluffs in a virtually uncontrollable plastic vessel at speeds of 25 mph.

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Ice skating is an option too. In case you haven’t noticed, Lake Winona is frozen. The possibilities of ice-born games and festivities are endless. Hockey, figure skating competitions, politically-themed demonstrations, checkers-on-ice; all are promising and immensely pleasurable. Furthermore, consider the accessibility of cross-country skiing. Brother John Grover has a huge stock of well-maintained equipment, which he is willing to allow even the clumsiest of amateurs to borrow (note any destruction of equipment is neither condoned nor encouraged by this paper). What a prospect!

Ultimately, I believe that I have finally compiled the supreme winter activity; but in order to not stunt your exploration of this legion of chances for you to enjoy yourself, I will do you the favor of keeping my favorite pastime a secret!