I like the Winter. Living in New England, I grew up wishing I lived somewhere warm and matured into someone who couldn't imagine being anywhere else. The contrast makes each season exceptional and special in its own way. If there were snow all the time it wouldn't feel as rare and special. The same goes for a nice hot Summer day and immersing in cool water, a windy fall day with the leaves crinkling and swirling about with their elaborate colors, or an early spring day where the rain falls tranquilly and the forest is teeming with new life. What gets me through the Winter:
Being able to snuggle under blankets or crank up the heat to hide from the cold
Warm beverages that contain alcohol
Fires - big, roaring, magical fires
Snow coating everything in the forest, the little twinkles of snow that blow off the branches and make the air sparkle like a snow globe
The stillness of the forest and the sound of the wind through frozen trees
Little animal prints in the snow and imagining where they went
Snowballs and Snowmen
SLEDDING
Snowshoeing
Crisp cool air
The list goes on and on....
I experience all of these things both indoors and outdoors. I've been doing a lot of hiking so far and enjoy bundling up to brave the cold. If you think you can't hike in Winter, buy these: http://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/ . Cabins in the Winter are amazing with a huge pot of wine mulling atop the wood stove. Release from the burden of expectation "it's nice out so I should go DO SOMETHING" vs. "it's cold and snowing and I'm not doing a damn thing."
Winter is awesome. Rediscover it and embrace it. Take all of the things you hate about Winter and find new perspective - they can and are enjoyable.
Reply With Quote