wonders never cease: A Snow-filled Nature Fix

When Dan and I planned our Christmas getaway (aka our gifts to each other) in early November, we were dreaming of the perfect winter wonderland. It had been an unusually warm November and early December here in Iowa City, so, call us crazy, we wanted to find winter. We wanted to watch the snow fall, go out (in layers) for a snow adventure, and then cozy up next to a warm fireplace with hot tea. Since neither of us have been further north than Minneapolis, we really had no idea what to expect when we booked the Grand Superior Lodge, but turns out...IT WAS PERFECT. Tucked away in tiny Castle Danger, Minnesota right along the stunning Lake Superior we found our DREAM winter vacation.

After a quick trip to the Spoon Bridge, dinner at the HIPPEST vegan joint in town (shout out to J. Selby's), and a one-night stay at a beautiful mansion (an awesome AirBnB find), we hit the road for the 3-hour trip even further north to Castle Danger. With a total of 8 hours on the road, we passed the time by listening to some STELLAR podcasts. Do you love podcasts? Do you love musicals? Then, trust me, you will freakin' LOVE 36 Questions--the musical PODCAST! I know, you're thinking...how can a musical podcast be quality entertainment with only audio? No. Trust me, trust me, trust me. It's fantastic! Dan loved it too!

Had to get my Spoon Bridge pic in (Minneapolis, MN)

We spent the first evening settling in at the lodge by exploring around the lodge but woke up early the next morning to see the sunrise. Snow was perfectly falling while the steam was perfectly rising off the lake. SO BEAUTIFUL! And because it was snowing, the temp was warm than the day before...above zero! It was...dare I say, pleasant (when properly dressed in layers).

We drove into Two Harbors (a "big" town nearby) and rented fat bikes from the local bike shop, Spoken Gear (which, as turns out, makes the SWEET custom CEDAERO bags that we've been seeing on popular bike blogs). Then we went out, upon recommendation from the bike shop guys, to the Demonstration Forest for a few hours of crisp (ok, cold) air and snowy riding. And I have to admit (as a former fat bike hater)...the fat bikes were a blast! Biking is already an empowering activity for me, but there was something about riding with the huge tires that made the experience even more empowering. It was unbelievably fun to crunch through the snow-packed forest with the fat bikes. Everyone needs to try!

This trip was exactly what I needed to pull out of the wintertime blues (all you Midwest survivors know what I'm talking about), which I inevitably fall victim to each year. Over Thanksgiving break, I read a fascinating book called The Nature Fix which really got me thinking about how my mood correlates with the amount of time I spend in nature. I've always known that my mood changes (for the better) when I'm out camping or riding my bike, but I had never really thought that nature itself could be the reason for feeling better; I just always associated my improved mood with the fact that I was exercising or that it was the weekend or that I laughed a lot with the good company joining me. All of which are still valid factors, but after reading this book, I learned about some cool research behind how nature itself can "fix" us. Have you heard of the Nature Pyramid? Me neither until I read this book. Check it out, friends! We are taught as kids about the food pyramid, but why aren't we taught about the nature pyramid? We, as humans, NEED time in nature to stay healthy (physically, mentally, and spiritually). And just like carbs, fruits, veggies, and proteins, we need regular, consistent, and INTENTIONAL time in nature--starting with several small doses every day (walking to work, lunch breaks outside, etc) and in bigger doses every week, month, and year. Vacations to new cities can be exciting, but in the end, a city is a city is a city. And a city is the opposite of nature and simply cannot give us what our body needs...craves.

This book and this winter vacation has taught me to be more mindful about how much time I choose to spend in nature. Even during single digit temps, being outside had an UNDENIABLE positive impact on my mood. So here's the real lesson: I must be more intentional about getting nature fixes in this winter...my mental health depends on it! And I challenge YOU to be mindful about your nature fixes this new year as well. 2018--THE YEAR OF THE NATURE FIXES! CHEERS!