WINTER PARTY AT THE PARK

[Colliemom]

For those of us who live in the northern climes especially here in Michigan, winter can be either a dreaded season that some folks do not like or look forward to, of it can be a time to be outdoors enjoying the fresh air, the winter sports and other pastimes of the season.

The park where I work has a great staff and also a great many friends and family of the park staff. Yesterday, some of us gathered at the park's Activity Bldg. for a winter party. The day was cloudy, a light snow falling and the temperatures hovering around 11 to 14 degrees. But there was no wind. This is the parks Activities Bldg. It was built by the CCC (Civilan Conservation Corps) back in the 1930's, I don't remember the exact year. It served as the parks main facility during the construction of the park and also the original shower/toilet facility and library.


There was a fire in the outsie firepit for those who wanted to enjoy being around the outside fire


We had a great turnout of folks, dogs and kids


And everybody brought stuff to play in or on the snow with. Some had snowshoes



There were snowmobiles. And my boss or others took turns hauling anybody who wanted to go, on tubes and even a picnic table was used as a "sleigh".



There were plastic tubs, sleds, and many makes of plastic snow toys and a volleyball net set up. So everybody was into something


Inside the building, the main table was loaded with food, pots of hot water for hot chocolate and a nice fire going in the fireplace.

The bench in front of the fireplace was also built by the CCC. I brought it and two others home about two years ago and restored them.

Here's a shot of the action from inside looking out through one of the windows.


And a shot looking out one of the front windows across the porch toward the lake


There were also a few rousing games of volleyball in the snow. And a lot of laughs, slips, slides, tumbles etc. in the slippery snow.



All in all, it was a great day to enjoy some fun, fellowship, fresh air and the beauty of the park in winter.

[flick4411]

It's nice to see folks having fun in the snow and cold! We got the cold, but we ain't got the snow! Great pics Sue!

[kdmac]

Thanks for the photos of that fun day. Volley ball in the snow, had to be great fun. I love the photo of the gray/black trees with snow on them perfectly framed by the gray/black window frame with snow on it. really nice.

[AlmostThere]

What a fantastic day!! Thanks for sharing!

[JudyJB]

I used to like the snow and being outdoors when I was 30 years younger. Did a lot of snowmobiling also, but I just get too cold these days. Hoping to go somewhere warmer, although I guess I will miss looking at the new snow--just not having to be in it!

Nice pictures. Good enough for a Christmas card, I think.

JudyJB

[Forestgal]

Holy cow! Seeing pictures like that are soooo far from my reality! I vaguely remember cold days when I lived in Minnesota as a teenager, but thankfully they're a distant memory. Many good experiences, such as learning to ski at nighttime on skis with "beartrap" bindings. Using a rope tow & T-bar with my friend who was almost a foot taller than me (and getting literally hung up under my armpits when she let go of the T-bar first!) -- all good memories. But I think I'll keep the upper 70s weather where I can play volleyball at the beach in shorts instead.

Thanks for sharing your pictures, though! They're truely beautiful.

Laura -- and Jed

[cpatinjones]

A nice way to spend the day. Great photos!

[BirdbyBird]

Beautiful land up there......looks like a lot of fun...just too cold for me. I am always appreciative of the different landscapes and weather patterns that make up this world and the people that call different lands their "home."

[BarbaraRose]

Ditto what Laura said! It is pretty to look at but miserable to be in! Did remind me tho of that golf contest out on the lake last year that I was at, which was fun, but still too cold for me!

[snowball]

It looks like a lot of fun...for someone who likes cold and snow and activities in the cold and snow!
And although I loved the pictures am glad that I'm where I am enjoying the 70 degree weather in the day time
and sun and wind lots of wind that I can do without
Thanks for posting the pictures...they were really pretty
sheila

[Redetotry]

Looks like everyone was having a great time. Thanks for the pictures,my favorite was the black/white of the trees framed in the window panes.

[Liz]

What a great winter party! Love the snow on the trees. Thanks for sharing the pics.

[OutandAbout]

Looks like a bunch of hearty fun loving people. Great pics. Guess all the things invented for winter survival (skis, sleds, etc.,) really came into their own when someone realized the fun they could have using them for something else. Makes getting through winter much easier. Beats hibernating for 4+ months that makes for one long season. I'll just look at the pics, thanks. Linda

[Echo]

The window pics of the trees and snow were awesome and poetic but LOVED the snowy volleyball game!

[Ljpeterlin]

All the playing in the snow looked like a lot of fun. I always enjoyed playing in the snow as a kid. I would go outside and play until I was red and wet and cold from head to toe!
Thanks for sharing, and reminding me of all the fun!