It’s cold outside

It’s cold outside

By Allan Olson

Okay, one thing’s a given – its’ cold outside. All a person needs to do is step outside, and they might think, “Why would anyone want to live in this icebox?” The weather this past weekend has been downright “frightful,” but not all together unusual. I know in my lifetime, I’ve certainly experienced weather much colder than this.

The weekend included battling “a cold” and “the cold,” along with a trek to Park Rapids for our first geocaching party of 2013. We enjoyed pizza, visiting and did a little shopping while in town. The strong winds and the below zero temperatures did deter us from joining some of the other crazy geocachers on a venture out onto Lake Belle Taine at Nevis to do some island caching. We figured between the wintry conditions and the fact we were driving a loaner vehicle (our van’s in the body shop) we probably shouldn’t push our luck and try “ice road trucking” – but man, was it tempting.

On the way home we noticed that they were still out on the lake getting some caches, and we really wanted to join them, but we pushed on, resisting the temptation to go out in the cold to find those caches.

The remainder of the weekend was relatively quiet. We hung out at the house, watched some television, read some books and washed some clothes – which is a never-ending battle.

On Monday afternoon, January 21, I came home from work and found the kids going stir crazy, suffering from a serious case of cabin fever. They wanted to play outside. I told them, “It’s ten below out there!” They didn’t care.

I informed them that if they were that crazy, first they needed to straighten out the landing – which becomes a catch-all area from the kids coming and going, inside, outside, upstairs and downstairs. Inevitably, something is always getting left on the landing.

Next they each had to come and get every layer of clothing they put on approved before adding another layer. When it was done, all the kids had the requisite under layers of clothing plus a sweatshirt and of course boots, gloves, snow pants, etc.

Abigail’s departure was a little delayed as her attitude got in the way and she had to spend some time in a time-out. After the other three were outside, she was paroled after she explained to me why she was in trouble and I helped her get ready to play.

With the kids were outside enjoying themselves, I decided I better take a few pictures. I darted outside with my phone and my “real” camera, shot some frames and headed back in to the warmth. They wanted me to stay out and play, but I said, “No way.” Even Bob the dog was outside with the kids. This is the same dog who doesn’t even want to go out for a potty break once he gets blasted with the outside cold air; he backs away from the door and lays down again. “I don’t have to go that bad,” is the thought we imagine from him.

The kids had been playing for about 30 minutes when I called them over to check their faces for any signs of frostbite. Seeing none, they were good to go back to the snow and sleds.

A short time later Abigail was the first to come in. “My hands are freezing,” she said. Soon the others trekked in, too. Once they were all in and their stuff was hung up, I made some hot chocolate to warm them up. Mmmm.

Nikolai said he was going to go back out after a while. I didn’t figure he would, and I was right.

Abigail said, “I don’t want to go out when it’s that cold ever again!” I laughed, because I’m certain that when the next opportunity arises, she will be right there with the rest of them.

Plans for this weekend include covering the 12^th Annual Ice Rescue Training Exercise and perhaps(?) even joining them in the water to get a first-hand experience. Or, I might chicken out again, like I did two years ago. I have a few days to make up my mind. I still really want to go find those island caches, and the ones on Star Island, so who knows . . .

Thanks for reading and remember to watch out for school buses on the roads; they are carrying a precious cargo – our children. Also please exercise caution when venturing out on the lakes. Thanks for reading, and have a great and safe weekend. For more of my columns visit: http://allan-crazykids.blogspot.com