Get Out There!
"Get out there!"
Three words frequently said by parents when I was a kid and the snow was piling up outside. Luckily I had a very active twin brother so we listened to mom and exited the house to play outside and do something, anything really...including ice hockey, snow forts, shovelling (least favourite), skiing, and snow tunnels (epic ones!). Friends and neighbours would join most times, but if they did not we played anyway because we had each other. Mom was always happy that she achieved her objective when we sat on the couch half asleep in front of the hockey game at 8pm!
For most in Eastern Canada this 2026 winter has been a 'good one'. Some think it was miserable because of record snowfalls and cold temperatures, I disagree! When inches and inches of snow were falling on January 15th in Oakville I had some vivid happy flashbacks of my youth.
The excitement of it led me to propose to my best buddy Gil that we should do a little ski trip to Quebec City and tackle the highest mountains in Eastern Canada. His response was quick and we agreed that such a winter adventure also required the companionship of our wives to make it a proper trip... not to mention that they both love the old city as much as we do! The highlight was our full day at Le Massif where we both tested our 'mature' legs by skiing like when we were teens... well maybe not me but definitely for Gil who continues to be the best skier I know. Well done Gil!
Motivated by this amazing winter adventure I decided to keep the trend going and agreed to join friends at Soko's cottage north of Ottawa for a weekend of ice fishing. Starting the weekend with a challenging snowshoeing hike in the woods behind his cottage (including climbing up a steep rock formation) set the tone for what was a truly Canadian experience. This included outside fires with refreshments and a chili lunch on Saturday, a little nighttime poker by the wood burning stove, ice fishing on a secluded lake only accessible by snowmobile, cooking amazing meals (including fresh trout), and just 'Getting Out There'. Thank you Soko for being a wonderful winter host.
For those reading this and thinking that I'm crazy to still like the snow and cold well into my fifties, I have one thing to say.... "Dress Warm!". That is the most important thing to enjoy Canadian winters and not let the snow and ice get to you. With appropriate clothing you can enjoy all the activities and feel good about it. And don't worry if you look a little weird with all the layers... own it!
As I write this in mid March and look out the window to greenish grass and leafless trees, I hope that next winter will be another 'good one'!
Have a happy and warm spring :)
dd.
Three words frequently said by parents when I was a kid and the snow was piling up outside. Luckily I had a very active twin brother so we listened to mom and exited the house to play outside and do something, anything really...including ice hockey, snow forts, shovelling (least favourite), skiing, and snow tunnels (epic ones!). Friends and neighbours would join most times, but if they did not we played anyway because we had each other. Mom was always happy that she achieved her objective when we sat on the couch half asleep in front of the hockey game at 8pm!
For most in Eastern Canada this 2026 winter has been a 'good one'. Some think it was miserable because of record snowfalls and cold temperatures, I disagree! When inches and inches of snow were falling on January 15th in Oakville I had some vivid happy flashbacks of my youth.
The excitement of it led me to propose to my best buddy Gil that we should do a little ski trip to Quebec City and tackle the highest mountains in Eastern Canada. His response was quick and we agreed that such a winter adventure also required the companionship of our wives to make it a proper trip... not to mention that they both love the old city as much as we do! The highlight was our full day at Le Massif where we both tested our 'mature' legs by skiing like when we were teens... well maybe not me but definitely for Gil who continues to be the best skier I know. Well done Gil!
Motivated by this amazing winter adventure I decided to keep the trend going and agreed to join friends at Soko's cottage north of Ottawa for a weekend of ice fishing. Starting the weekend with a challenging snowshoeing hike in the woods behind his cottage (including climbing up a steep rock formation) set the tone for what was a truly Canadian experience. This included outside fires with refreshments and a chili lunch on Saturday, a little nighttime poker by the wood burning stove, ice fishing on a secluded lake only accessible by snowmobile, cooking amazing meals (including fresh trout), and just 'Getting Out There'. Thank you Soko for being a wonderful winter host.
For those reading this and thinking that I'm crazy to still like the snow and cold well into my fifties, I have one thing to say.... "Dress Warm!". That is the most important thing to enjoy Canadian winters and not let the snow and ice get to you. With appropriate clothing you can enjoy all the activities and feel good about it. And don't worry if you look a little weird with all the layers... own it!
As I write this in mid March and look out the window to greenish grass and leafless trees, I hope that next winter will be another 'good one'!
Have a happy and warm spring :)
dd.
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