January 3, 2007
Seasonally, Winter’s
Where It’s At

Numero uno.  Not to be unaware where the majority stands when it comes to winter, preferably in Arizona, Hawaii or So Cal, but for we precious few, January is the lead dog to the best three months of the year.  It’s time someone gave a “shout out” to winter.  Those of us relishing life north of 32 degrees Fahrenheit may be few but to our miniscule group, winter’s advantages make for a lengthy list. 

To the “born to sweat” set, winter is that oh so small window in the earth’s annual trip around the sun promising relief from dripping pits.  While it’s true filling the lungs with crisp, cold mountain air is unique to the winter solstice, for the persperationally challenged to be able to stroll through life sans underarm precipitation means the first three months of the year stand alone when it comes to a seasonal favorite.   

Badmouthing winter seems a national obsession.  “Cold enough?” replaces “How are you?” as the greeting of choice.  But should one respond, “Actually a ten or fifteen degree drop in temperature would be most welcome,” expect to be treated like you’re contagious with the bird flu.  

Relishing cold weather started in college.  At the Delta Sigma Phi house in Ames, Iowa, sleeping arrangements involved open-air dorms. While there was a roof over your head, the snoozing quarters involved no heat and no windows.  Waking early on a below zero Midwestern winter morning with snow on the top blanket gave new meaning to “Coming in from the cold” as one dashed from frosty covers to the warmth of the hallway. I loved it.

Come marriage, it was tough to convince my wife of the therapeutic value of an “open door” sleeping policy, particularly in winter.  But today she has reached the stage of life where the without warning appearance of her “own private summer” has our internal thermostats almost in synch. 

Not that the joys of snoozing the night away with the air conditioner cranked to “max cool” are readily apparent to the world at large.  On geezer golf trips, roommate Big Poolie is one constant whine, “We’re in Las Vegas getting away from the cold and thanks to you, the first thing I see when the eyes open in the morning is my breath. Where does it say the Nevada experience is supposed to include sleeping in a meat locker?”  So much for what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. 

Naysayers aside, ice skating, snow mobiling, snow shoes, snow ball fights, skis skinny and downhill and solitary jogs through woods “filled with snow” make for frosty breaths, red runny noses and a sense of being alive that occurs in no other season.  Hiking the Serpents Trail, a mid day cup of steaming noodle soup, a late afternoon hot tub soak and the mellow sensation of Irish coffee rolling across your taste buds isn’t that big a deal in spring, summer or fall but are moments long remembered when enjoyed on an azure blue Colorado winter day.