Updated: 01/19/2009 6:29 PM KSTP.com | Print Story
By: Leah Mclean

MCLEAN: A good old fashioned Minnesota winter

Like many Minnesotans I have a love/hate relationship with winter. On subzero days when the wind is smacking me in the face as I sprint from my car into where ever I've dared travel to that day, I wonder why I still live here. Then, on more mild days driving out to a ski hill with sunglasses on and bright sunshine warming the car I think how lucky I am to live here.

It's been a while since we've had a winter like this. I forgot how much fun it can be. My mom just showed me an old picture taken around Christmas time more then 20 years ago. I'm outside in the front yard in a snow suit playing with my brothers while our dad shovels. Snow is piled at least 5 feet tall on the roof of the house. It's a beautiful sight, the winter of my childhood. My brothers and I loved to dig tunnels in the snow and build forts.

Now my brothers both live in California and don't see snow unless they travel to the mountains. They're missing out this year. Just the other day my dad and I talked about building a fort or digging a tunnel. If this old fashion winter keeps up we'll have to get out our snow suits again.