Surviving and Getting Over the Winter Hump In Minnesota

There's nothing like cold fingers, toes and nose to let you know you're still alive! 

Fortunately, it's not the cold hand of death, but a good ole Minnesota winter. If you can feel the icy burn on your skin, the frozen stiffness in your hands and the cold slap in your face, then you've arrived alive and sublime here in Minnesota! 

If you hang around long enough and make it through January then you've made it over the first hump of winter. 

Photo Credit: hmschl at Pixabay.com

But, hold on! February, the second hump of winter, still needs to be conquered! Once we've climbed the last winter hump, we can see spring on the horizon. It's at the summit of February that we shout "we can do this!"

January and February can kiss my chilled chafed ass cheeks.  We're about to march into March. 

Typically, March is our snowiest month in Minnesota, but warmer temps drift in and fingers and toes are beginning to thaw. 

No more mummy wrap of scarves and wool. No more frozen snot icicles. No more cold nipple camouflaging. 

It's looking pretty hopeful at the peak of February. I can start to smell the tulips and daffodils from here. 

The warmth of 40 degrees is blowing in the wind and Minnesotans are stripped down to t-shirts while walking the dog, throwing open the windows and putting burgers on the BBQ. 

At this point, we can feel the slack of our climb and another Minnesota winter is about to be chalked up and put into the record books. 

Getting over the winter humps in Minnesota is a well-earned annual accomplishment. The people that are still here to endure it year after year are the TRUE climbers. 

I'm a Minnesota native and this may be why I’ve attained hairy forearms, tree trunk thighs and post nasal drip. These are all traits of a Minnesota winter hump climber. 

I'm not worshiped or praised by anyone in these northern parts. It was the ancestors before me that had a more grueling winter climb. If they saw us now, they would laugh and spit on our modern conveniences. 

Yes, our winter hump climb is a little less treacherous than our forefathers, but we can still be proud of our survival tactics. 

Between winter festivals, ice fishing, polar plunges, cross-country skiing, ice skating, beer dabblers, museums and music concerts we're able to muster through the dark and cold winter months and survive. You can find suggestions of some fun winter activities here at Minnesota Monthly.

January Hot Air Balloon Race - White Bear Lake, MN

Also, check out "50 Reasons We Love Winter in Minnesota." 

Norway has a terrific outlook on winter and, interestingly, Minnesota is known as the unofficial Norwegian capital of the United States.  More Norwegians live in Minnesota than any other state.

Maybe this is why Minnesota can relate to "The Norwegian Secret to Enjoying A Long Winter."

So, unless you've chipped away snot icicles, you may never understand the resilience of northerners. 

Ice Fishing Hole

If you think you can hang and belay your way up and over the winter humps in Minnesota, then strap on your harness, grab your ice axe and plan to stay awhile. 

How do you embrace winter?

Put your smile on and unwrap

   A Square of Chocolate,

Laurie O

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