In which we enjoy unseasonably warm weather

I previously remarked on the great fun I had finally walking out on the lake after  years of wishing to do so. Now that I’ve done it once, it seems like such a simple thing. Like, what was I even scared of? The ice is so incredibly thick and solid, but from my view, I had no way of knowing until I was out there, on the lake, investigating for myself.

Since Little Lion got a little taste of walking on the ice, he has been eager to get back to the lake and slip and slide his way around as much as he’s allowed. The weather has been unseasonably warm (56 F today!). It’s a drastic shift from the below zero temps and bitter winds we faced just last week. Being especially fond of walking and being outdoors and having been trapped indoors because of the extreme temps last week, Little Lion and I have done our fair share of exceedingly long walks this week.

On Monday, we walked through part of the neighborhood and half the lake. We discovered a conspiracy of ravens (yes, that’s what they’re called!) gathered on the ice around fisherman’s holes, presumably searching for fish. I had no idea ravens ate fish or could walk on ice! It was an enlightening experience. We also saw our resident bald eagle, but I wasn’t able to get a great photo of it.

We had a particularly delicious walk yesterday. As I mentioned, this week has been very warm, so we went out in just our sweaters (probably should have done a light jacket, but that wouldn’t fly with Little Lion). The wind does make it feel much colder, but when there was a windbreak, the sun was deliciously warm on our skin, and we could truly revel in the fresh air and freedom of being outside.

We walked about a quarter of the way around the lake… on the lake. It was such a unique experience, because this lake-bridge is only available a few short weeks of the year. It was a beautiful view, but I would recommend sunglasses next time, as the sunshine was nearly blinding glinting off the ice. Due to the warmer weather puddles were forming on the ice, especially towards the middle of the lake, so once we reached a point I felt was too watery, we climbed out of the lake and walked the fisher’s trail halfway around.

I hardly every walk the lake from that level- normally we take Little Lion’s stroller and are bound to the sidewalk, up on the hill. But we left it at home for the first time, and it was so freeing! It was fun to walk on a trail, and we could see more of the lake shore, the boulders piled up, and the cattails, dried and frozen, but still standing. Little Lion even found a small ball that he had great fun throwing.

We met a friendly stranger and he played fetch with her dog for a little bit, which is an experience he’s never had before. We also ran into Halmoni Kim, a Korean grandmother I met a few years ago at the nearby park. We occasionally run into each other, usually going opposite directions, but it’s always lovely to have a good chat with her and learn from her life. She was born and raised in South Korea and married an American military man there and came back to the States with him. They moved around a lot but eventually stayed in Nebraska, where most of her children live too. Her husband passed away at an early age, and after that, she began to take her health and fitness very seriously.

Yesterday, she was telling me that she wished she had taken time for herself at my age, instead of later in life when she now has different health issues to work through. It was a motivating conversation for me, because I have really struggled to get back into fitness in any sustainable way since having Little Lion two and half years ago.

By the time we ran into Halmoni Kim, we were about 2/3 of the way around the lake, and the wind was really hitting us hard. We had already been out for at least an hour, and so we parted ways with Halmoni Kim and continued heading home.

It did take much longer to get back home, but we eventually finished the whole mile loop, with Little Lion doing much of his own walking. Towards the water lotus patch, I was pretty done, so I popped him up on my shoulders and carried him the rest of the way home. He got a great view, and we got home on my schedule. Win-win.

I have a feeling that the lake will melt soon, as we have rain in the forecast, and the ice usually breaks up after January. Hopefully, I will get another chance to get out there and experience it, but I do have some unwanted thoughts of the ice cracking and getting trapped underneath, so I stick close to the shore. I do want to try to completely cross the lake from one side to the other at the narrower point, but again, I’m a little nervous. I’ll share if I do it though!

It’s been especially fun to share these adventures with my little one. I have always been a bit adventurous, but never really found many opportunities or friends to share in adventure with. It makes my heart glow to know that I’m instilling a love for nature and adventure in my son at an early age, and I keep picturing him climbing mountains in Colorado someday. Motherhood can have it’s challenges, just like winter can have bitterly cold days, but it also has it’s deliciously perfect moments, like the warm sun shining on your face on an unseasonably warm winter’s day.

I hope wherever you are reading this from, that you’re able to take advantage of the beauty of nature. Take a friend for a stroll or ask your loved ones to just get some fresh air with you. You may not have a lake, but even getting out under the vast sky helps to refresh ones mind and offer a greater appreciation for this adventure called life.

Cheers,

Sierra