Friluftsliv

A few years back it was all about "hygge," but it looks like coronavirus has made a lot more Minnesotans (and for sure our family) interested in "friluftsliv," or "free air life." Everywhere you looked this weekend there were people sledding, skiing, skating, walking, and just enjoying the outdoors. 

Friday and Saturday, Patrick and I went on walks through the neighborhood. On Sunday, Beatrix wanted to go skating. 

Now, for the past several years, we've gone skating about once a year, always at the little rink at Nathan Hale park on Summit. It's great — tiny Beatrix would bundle up, Patrick would go skating with her, I would run around the edge of the ice in boots, and we always had the ice to ourselves.

But now budget cuts closed that ice, so we had to go to a real rink. Groveland had just opened for the season and was a madhouse, so we headed to Desnoyer. And going to a real rink meant I had to get up on skates — for the first time in 40 years!

I'll admit, it was terrifying. And I may have said "I can't I can't I can't" about 30 times. But I got up on the ice, and kind of shuffled along, and had fun (even if I headed back to the bench before they did). It would actually be fun to go again and build up confidence.

After that, we took Mr. Taproom-Loving Dog and headed out to an outdoor patio for some drinks. Minneapolis Cider was too full and Headflyer too windy, so we went to Lake Monster, where we had previously had a lovely time just before New Years Eve. They have a tent, fire tables, and fire pits, all of which are lovely except when your dog shows no fear and literally tries to walk through the flames looking for cookies. I guess he's working on his circus skills.

All of it is highly recommended! Now if I can just get my hands on some cross-country skis....