MAKE USE OF DAYLIGHT: SNOWSHOEING

Ottawa County Park Path along Lake Macatawa. Taken by PKSenagore January 2018. All rights reserved.

An article by Kevin Gray for Under Armor’s MyFitnessPal.com blog ,"5 Snowshoe Races Walkers Will Enjoy"is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts hoping to make the best use of daylight hours. Last week’s post about The Brightening season suggested runners and walkers follow the lead of some backpackers who want to raise awareness of the increasing amount of daylight the northern hemisphere is experiencing before the official start of Spring on March 20. That awareness should lead us to start planning adventures now, rather than waiting, is their message.
 
Gray’s article suggests that those who enjoy walking for exercise should try snowshoeing, as it is like walking in the snow.  “In fact,” he writes, “a popular saying among snowshoe aficionados is: ‘If you can walk, you can snowshoe’”.
 
However, snow is also a requirement. Some in the upper Midwest and East are currently ‘enjoying’ quite a few more inches of snow on the ground after this past weekend’s system passed though. To help them put a positive spin on weather conditions, Earned Runs wants to highlight one potentially exciting result of all that white stuff. It might be a great opportunity to try snowshoeing!
 
As promised by the title, there are 5 events listed in Gray’s article; one in mid-February and the remaining 4 in March, in upstate New York, Vermont, Alaska, and Colorado. There are other ways to get into this activity. Many parks and nature areas in traditionally snowy regions may have trails. The National Parks are well known recreational spots, but smaller and less famous state, county, and city sites might also be explored.
 
Katherine Rivard posted an article that lists National Parks in Oregon, Michigan, New Mexico, Utah, South Dakota, Idaho, Pennsylvania/New Jersey, and Indiana as places in which to snowshoe. There are links to non-federal snowshoe parks in Maine, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Colorado found after a quick internet search.
 
The point is that heavy snowfall in February and March doesn’t need to be completely viewed as a disaster when it comes to fun getaways. With additional minutes of light available each successive day, we can hope to drive an hour or so, enjoy the outdoor exercise and perhaps a meal or snack, and then drive back without turning on the car headlights. Of course, it would be unwise to venture out in the middle of a snow storm, but afterwards when the sun comes out the fun can commence.
 
Admittedly, such adventures may require advance planning. It may be that snowshoeing is something to be arranged for next spring, when late season snow storms tend to discourage outdoor fun.
 
Whether it’s in the upcoming month this year or in 2019, keep snowshoeing in mind as a celebration event for The Brightening season.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/5-snowshoe-races-walkers-will-enjoy
 
https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/7-spots-strap-your-snowshoes