I just flew home to L.A. from Minnesota, a living art museum of the arctic freeze that most likely took the dinosaurs out. For the record, it was six degrees when I arrived. Being a girl from Texas, and having lived most of my adult life in La La Land, which respectfully stays between about 72 and 80 year round, it was a fright-fest to be in Minnesota’s simply inhumane treatment to my nose, ears and gloveless fingers.

Worse is the fact that in order to avoid the Snow King’s evil clenches, I would literally run from one indoor facility to another, unapologetically girly. While I tend to have pride in this arena, that was not the case here. And yet, the crazy thing was how unaffected people were around me as though this were normal (which obviously for them, it is). Either way, it was not the welcoming sun, palm trees and glistening ocean that won my heart in Minnesota; it was my big brother.

It’s amazing what we do for the ones we love, the sacrifices we make and the stretching of our sanity we undergo to prove to a person how much they mean to us. My flying in the dead of winter to a state technically colder than the chocolate popsicles in my fridge could not express more my devotion to my brother – because Lord knows I appreciate my daily sundresses, the myriad of flip flop options that await me each morning, and sleeping with my windows open 365 days out of the year.

However, when I’m with my brother, or my family for that matter, I could be in a closet and enjoy myself. In short, he made up for sending me home with frostbit appendages. We had pizza at his favorite joint, a late night binge-fest of Pringles, cookies, ice cream, and Reese’s as we giggled ourselves to sleep watching our favorite show, The Office. He took me to a “planetarium” (a conservatory of every plant life known to man), had coffee at his local hang out, Coffee Bene, grabbed a a delicious bite at Longfellow Grill, walked around a snow covered park, and watched the Oscars at his (gorgeous) best friend’s house – which, for the record, I think the curse of the baby sister is that you will always and forever have crushes on your older brother’s friends, something I’ve come to accept. We saw the Falls, ate breakfast at a quaint little joint and, before I knew it, I was on a plane heading home to sunny California.

Needless to say, my trip was too short and while I have no desire to go back until the break-my-ankle-ice-patches melt, I am ecstatic for my May visit. In the meantime, my brother is taking advantage of my vacant Los Angeles apartment for two weeks in March – something about 80 degree weather, the cloudless, blue sky and the endless Santa Monica beach only a fifteen minute drive away has solidified his spring break plans.

Until his graduation, I’ll have to resort to emails, facebooking and late night phone calls to hold me over until I see him again. I love you, Jonesy!

big brother, family, little sister, minnesota, snow, spring break, travel, weather Hide

We sure do love the winter weather with its warm fires and hot toddies but there’s a lot more to snow than cozy socks. A good layering of snow provides the means for a trip to the mountains to hit the slopes on skis or snowboards.  But there are some other winter sports you may want to give a try…

1. Snowshoeing
One of the fastest-growing winter sports, snowshoeing is easy, fun, and relatively cheap as snow sports go (all you need is a pair of snowshoes and warm clothes). It’s great for runners and hikers who will be able to enjoy their regular paths when they’re covered in white and it can take you through the backwoods to the really pretty powder. Either way, snowshoeing is a great way to get outdoors with friends, burn some calories, and have some quality time with the mother everyone loves to adore, Mother Nature.

2. Ice Climbing
Ever want to climb up a waterfall? Well, you can (if it’s frozen, of course). Ice climbing is a hit for the more adventurous.  Originally created out of mountaineering, today’s ice climber’s tend to come from rock climbers dealing with a bit of snow fever. It does require several pieces of equipment. In each gloved hand, you’ll be handling a short ice axe and your feet will be covered in special boots that have steel spikes called crampons. You know what that means…a new outfit (and some)!

3. Curling
This sport actually exists collegiately and appears in the Winter Olympics but there are various opportunities to engage locally. Curling is played on a sheet of ice (originally lakes and ponds but now there are specific curling locations available) with two teams, usually of four people each. There are targets (called houses) at each end of the ice where players will take turns trying to place their stones. The point of the game is to get the stone to land closest to the center of the house and therefore steal the point for that round from the opposing team. Sure to be a laugh for all amateurs, gather a group and see who’s got the best moves – and we suggest skipping the curls in your hair for this type of curling.

4. Kite Skiing/Kite Boarding
Usually enjoy the traditional skiing and snowboarding?  Amp that sport up (literally) by adding a kite to your normal gear. The pull in kite skiing/boarding comes from the wind so just relax (if you can) and take a deep breath (that sounds more like it) as you speed by onlookers. Some have been clocked in at going over 60 miles/hour. The best part about kite skiing/boarding, you can do it in an open field or on a frozen lake which means you won’t have to wait for the ski lift (or pay for it). With that kind of news, you’re sure to be flying high.

photos by ben amstutz, andrea williams

activity, snow, sports, winter Hide