We were lucky to arrive in Minnesota just as the really cold weather set in. -25 degrees Fahrenheit was the coldest we saw, and except for one day it mostly hovered around 0 degrees. We also both caught a cold along the route, so staying inside and being lazy was just fine. My mother must have thought we would get bored as she showed us various activities in the area, but after 2.5 months of being on the road we were pretty happy to be cozy at home.
We did need to unpack the RV and get it put away in storage, so despite being sick we unloaded the RV the first day back. Putting it away turned into a bigger issue as the frozen ground meant the normally tight fit in the shed was not going to go. Some time with my dad and a pick ax allowed us to chip away the 2 inches we needed to slip it in.
When I am visiting home I like to get up early, no matter how early though my mother always is awake first. Those first hours of the day are quiet, we both drink our coffee and maybe do some light reading. Charissa stays in bed awhile longer, so me and my Mom have the opportunity to have some deep conversations on all types of different topics. If my dad is working the night shift he gets home about 7:30 and we sit around and have breakfast together before he heads to bed. If he isn’t working then its one of the few hours of the day where he isn’t active, so he joins in the conversation. I really cherish these hours when I am visiting them.
But after about 5 days of relaxing I was feeling a bit better so I got a bit more active, we also had a few slightly warmer days, so I took the opportunity for winter sport. I was able to snowboard for the day at Giant’s Ridge, only 30 minute drive from their place. Its a nice little resort and the snow already in December was fantastic, but a short day was enough to hit the whole resort multiple times. I did stop for a beer at one point and somehow ended up in the middle of the old guy local group, it was interesting to get some insight into their lives up in the great white north.
I was able to take my Dad’s old snowmobile out, back in my high school days his sled would have been top of the line, and it still goes like gangbusters when you hit the throttle. But back then they were all motor and not much for suspension, so it was a rough ride. But I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My other activity was removing snow using my dads bobcat. I can imagine it still gets tiring, but for the first few times, plowing snow was more of a fun game than work. And given the length of their driveway, and the amount of snow they get, having a bobcat like this is a bit of a necessity.
Of course it wouldn’t be a visit with my family without some serious meals. Some of the highlights were turkey with all the fixings, roast duck, roast beef, waffles, and cinnamon rolls. I think I left a couple pounds heavier. But the planning, cooking and eating have always how we have come together as a family and something I really enjoy.
Part of the drive to move was always to be closer to my family and spend more time. Both ends of this trip we were able to spend an extended amount of time at my parents place. It really feels like home to me and I am so glad I have had this opportunity to spend time with them.
