We were blessed with a warm September and October. Then November arrived. I was fortunate to be in Hot Springs, AR when last week’s snowstorm hit enjoying a road trip (1,900 miles round trip) with my mom, sisters and niece. It was perfect weather for cruising scenic, winding back roads as we worked our way through the area labeled the Grand Canyon of AR.
Temperatures hovered in the mid seventies for several days until the bottom dropped out and daytime highs were in the forties. That’s crippling cold for the Bible belt.
Five women in one van posed some space dilemmas because no one curtailed their shopping along the way. Opening the back of our mother’s van was risky at best, especially after all the lurching that occured as we drove through the sharp curves with no guardrails in the Ozark Mountains. Multiple bags shifted throughout the journey.
When we arrived in Hot Springs we were informed the heating and cooling situation was in a nuetral state - meaning no heat and no air conditioning. By the next morning, the hotel had transitioned to heat mode. Before the cold set in, we were out for a walk and a gentleman stopped dead in his tracks on the main drag as he met my sisters and I dressed in shorts and asked: “What is wrong with you?”
We went from soaking in the hot mineral spring waters outdoors to needing a parka. When we arrived home, we forgot about our bottled sarsaparilla in the stow away compartment and found it shattered a few days later, signaling the end of the party.
Last winter seemed to last for almost six months. Although I enjoy the change of seasons, winter makes everything more difficult. Growing up on a farm, I learned at a young age the important role weather plays in the livelihood of a farmer. I realize precipitation is necessary, yet heavy snowfall-especially so early in the season-causes hardships for area farmers. My brother Russell had six calves born in two days leading up to our recent snow storm. He attributes several of the births to the winter storm. I asked my brother for some thoughts on how the early arrival of winter has affected him. “Cold weather makes everything a lot harder. It takes twice as long to do everything and makes work miserable. It’s not a lot of fun wading in snow up to your hind end!” Russell said.
Heavy snowfall makes deer hunting more challenging for people, but I doubt deer were daunted by it. One could argue that those who brave the elements are more inclined to get a deer due to the lower number of people willing to go out in the harsh weather. I’m not inclined to go out hunting regardless of weather. I considered hunting in high school - mostly in an effort to get out of milking cows and other chores.
Cleaning a deer, however, was not something I would enjoy. The only deer I ever got was in 1994 with my Mazda 626 I had owned for just seven days while driving home from Clearwater Rodeo. Sadly, I had also opted out of full coverage insurance. The deer almost ended up in my 9 year old niece Kristina’s lap. My son was in the back seat. I was grateful no one was injured.
The recent heavy snowfall did not stop area residents from getting out and hunting. Joey Woolard (14) of Becker hunted in a party with family. He filled three tags. Joey told me he really enjoys just sitting in the stand and that as long as he’s dressed for the cold, the weather is not an issue.
Shawna Gilyard, Glendorado, shared: “I just love being out in the stand! It’s easier when we don’t have snow, but the snow actually seems to make the deer come out more!”
My sister Terri went deer hunting one season with her boyfriend while in college in the early 1990’s. She recalled: “Dressing for the frigid temperatures really limited my mobility and sucked the joy out of the experience. The bulky winter coat and heavy boots made it difficult to get around.”
The good news with the arrival of winter is the onset of cookie walks and lutefisk suppers. Glendorado Lutheran Church hosts their annual lutefisk, meatball and ham dinner today (Saturday, November 22, from 3 to 7pm.) Becker United Methodist hosts their Cookie Walk Saturday, December 6 from 9-11am and St. Lukes Catholic Church in Clearwater has their Cookie Walk/Craft Sale Saturday, December 6 from 9am to 1pm. Saron Lutheran Church in Big Lake has their Cookie Walk, raffle and vendor event Saturday, December 6, 9am-2pm. There are a couple other Craft Sales near Santiago the weeknd of Nov. 22 & 29 and many other local Craft Sales, as well.
Happy Thanksgiving.
