In the deep freeze

We’re definitely in January as temperatures are dropping and some days temperatures are only in the 20s. For the past few weeks we’ve had more temperatures that are below zero when you add in the wind chill. I hope most people are staying warm even if they do go outside for activities.

Recently I found a new word that comes from Norway, it is friluftsliv (pronounced Free-loofts-leave). It basically means a love of the outdoors or “open-air life.” It’s a word that I think describes members of my family as we enjoying getting outdoors. Once my family went skiing near Bemidji when the wind chill was dropping the temperature to -30 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Alright, we didn’t do that much skiing, but we did venture out a few times during the day for a few runs down the slopes. It was one of the few times I saw a bandana frost up so fast and hold its shape for a few minutes after coming inside.

Other times, through social media, I’ll see family members, who live on the west coast, go out paddling on the water. Recently I was out covering the SnoBowl and I had quite a bit of frost in my beard.

Getting out in cold weather can be invigorating, just remember to bundle up properly, but don’t push it. If your toes or fingers start to feel numb, get inside. So, if you can, get out and enjoy the “open-air life”.