It can be difficult finding the urge to go outside when it’s cold, and it’s certainly hard to stay out there for an extended period. Here are some of the reasons (other than karate) that I’ve gotten off the couch so far this winter.
Holiday lights – tons of places do special light displays approaching the holidays, including various zoos in the Chicagoland area, and as of this year, Six Flags Great America. I didn’t make it to those. I did make it to the nearby Mooseheart campus holiday lights, which runs from Black Friday through New Year’s Eve every year. This is a driving route, rather than walking, though it includes an option to stop for hot chocolate and a visit with Santa.
Winter Solstice celebration – my first visit to the nearby Fabyan Japanese Garden was for their first Winter Solstice celebration. They’re usually only open from May to October, so this seemed like a prime opportunity to explore. The event took place after dark – which made parking in a minimally lit parking area interesting – with a mix of lights and luminaries outlining the paths and architectural elements of the garden. The bridges were decorated, but off limits because of the risk of slipping with the combination of darkness and cold temperatures.
Brookfield Zoo – While we missed the zoo lights this winter, we did make it to Brookfield Zoo in January. The indoor creatures aren’t exposed to the temperature change, which makes visiting them a good spot to warm up, in between seeing the animals that were clearly enjoying the cooler weather. On that particular morning, some of the aquatic creatures were remarkably active, even interacting with visitors through the glass. Sadly, there wasn’t snow on the ground at the time; snow adds a layer of beauty to the zoo.
How do you get up and moving when it’s cold outside?