Into the great winter world with daring
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or a bright beautiful day
Source: © Ketrin | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images
10 ways to enjoy winter on a budget
Winter has come. It’s been here for a while actually, but, now we've reached those balmy -10 degree Celsius (14 Fahrenheit) days. Let’s get to it. The 10 best ways to enjoy Winter on a budget.
1. Walk and walk and walk. It is gorgeous out. White bright snow and even a few clear paths. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. It calms and energizes and most people can do it. Make sure you have good sun glasses for those few sunny days.
2. Sledding down hills. Crazy carpets are still only a few dollars or you can check out do it yourself sledshttp://www.apartmenttherapy.com/3-snow-sleds-to-diy-166560. If that doesn't work find an old tire.
3. Cross country skiing, there’s Nordic, and there’s Skate skiing and fun to be had. As with skates there are places to rent skis or check the used goods stores. You want to ensure you have proper technique with a friend, instructor, or you tube video. It makes all the difference between gliding along and having fun and trudging down a path.
4. Find an indoor arboretum, we have one near the zoo, where’s yours? It’s a great way to remember that summer will come. They have great air quality almost as good as walking outside some places even better. Enjoy the warmth.
5. Go to the zoo, it won’t be crowded and there are a number of animals that enjoy this weather. Most zoos have some indoor exhibits where you can warm up and see animals from a more tropical environment.
6. Geocaching, modern day treasure hunting. Do it by yourself, with a partner or a whole family. You can use a GPS or a smart phone. Here is the most beloved and used site http://www.geocaching.com/ but there are others. You put in your postal code or area you want to search, find a location and hunt for it with your GPS. Usually the sites have a small container and there’s the unwritten rule of take something leave something.
7. Go swimming. Preferably in an indoor pool with lots of windows and a hot tub. There are few things as decadent as swimming or sitting in a hot tub when there’s lots of snow outside. Summer is coming and you want to be ready.
8. Skating is great for you and can be very inexpensive. If you have your own skates there are small outdoor rinks that don’t charge at all. Many arenas have free skating some time during the week. Here in Winnipeg we have the longest out door skating trail. You don’t have to be a great skater to have fun.
9. Build a Quincy. Pile snow about 8 feet high, flipping the snow over as you shovel it so it will mix. This doesn't have to be done all at once but it can be. Wait an hour and a half or longer then continue. Put a few sticks in the top about two feet in. Then dig a small entry way. Then dig out the snow till you can see the sticks. Make a snow ‘bed’ on each side or around the inside (except from the entry way. This bed will keep you off the ground and insulated. You don’t have to be a kid to have a snow fort.
10. Snow golf or soccer. It takes a little creativity and a lot of energy and is hilarious. Tip: use larger then normal balls for golf and a brightly coloured ball for soccer. Keep the goals and holes much closer together then normal, much, much closer then normal
