Snubbing A Nose At The "Polar Vortex"

During our most recent cold snap, or as the meteorologists called it "Polar Vortex" I took it upon myself to get out and enjoy some of the fresh, cold, Arctic air. Monday morning found the temps hovering around -24(F) with windchills in the -35(F) to -45(F) range. Tuesday morning the temps had moderated somewhat and it was a balmy -14(F).

Because of the cold temps school had been called off both days and this left me with the opportunity to get in a couple of nice long early morning walks. Leaving before dawn each morning and arriving back home 2.5-3 hours later.

I'm not sure how long my walks were and frankly, I really didn't care. It was just nice to be out during a period of time where many people would prefer to be indoors. So, while most people were complaining about the frigid temps and the media was blitzing us with all of the doom and gloom frigid weather news some of us ventured to enjoy it and meet the challenge.

My walks took me back to my childhood days where I would wait for the absolute worst winter weather possible to layer up and venture out to explore. Even at that early age I enjoyed winter and the cold. It made me think back to the record cold that we had on February 2, 1996. Tower and Embarrass, MN registered -60(F). I was at the hunting camp that Friday night and went out on snowshoes at around 11 p.m. The thermometer was showing -52(F) and that was by far the coldest temperature I've ever experienced. This was also the first time I had ever experienced the sound of trees popping. It was quite common to hear popping noises at home during the cold winter months.
As a matter of fact, a friend of mine had posted on FB that they had heard popping noises in their home here and the Twin Cities and that was something she had never experienced before.

"Crisp Clean Cold Air"

 

"Early Morning Shadow"

 

"Animal Tracks"

 

My walks also provided me with plenty of time to think. I thought about the cold and how differently people perceive it. Those that hate it, I believe, are afraid of it. Those of us that like it, have a great deal of respect for it. We know it can kill, but we also know how to prepare for it. We enjoy the challenge that the cold provides for us and we snub our noses at the "Vortex" and get right into it.

 "Frosted Flake"