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Last weekend, I wanted to take advantage of the mild temps and get outside with my 16-month-old daughter Austen. So many choices, so little time! I wanted to take her to the Hot Air Affair in Hudson, WI to catch the Saturday afternoon launch, but it was cancelled do to windy weather. I also considered heading to Plymouth's Fire & Ice Festival. But I settled on the Ham Lake SnowBowl instead. Austen loved every minute of it! Check out my pics from the festival in this blog.
Want to read my previous blog about Austen?
 1-31-09 Austen and Mr. Potato Head
Saturday, February 7th
Mild temperatures make it easy to go our and enjoy the best things Minnesota has to offer this time of year. The key: you don't want it TOO mild (lest we see a big meltdown which as of this writing on Tuesday afternoon has meant most of our snowcover is gone and lakes are getting soupy and slushy in spots). So the temps on Saturday around lunchtime hovering about 34 degrees were perfect for enjoying the Ham Lake SnowBowl. My daughter Austen LOVES dogs. She calls them "doggies" and smiles from ear to ear everytime she sees one. So imagine her wonder at seeing dozens of sled dogs all in the same place!
Austen with some sled dogs
As we walked by the parking lot filled with sled dogs (they had just completed the big race...I think I heard someone say there were 47 entries), Austen and some other kids were invited to pet the cute sled dogs in the photo. She was thrilled! Of course, then she said "more!" So we trekked through the parking lot and onto Ham Lake itself...the site of the SnowBowl. We saw vintage snowmobiles, the ice golf course, kids games, the youth ice fishing competition, youth sled dog races, helicopter rides, and more. It was great fun in the sun. Never underestimate the power of the sun to make it more bearable to hang out in the outdoors on an early February day. I will admit that we cheated, though. There was a warming tent on the lake (thank you organizers!!!) and Austen and I made 3 separate trips inside to warm up between watching the festivities.
Check out all the pics right here:
Thank goodness for the SnowBowl that our rain and major warmth waited until AFTER the event! I have a feeling that a lot of snow lovers and winter sports enthusiasts are a little disappointed now that our once bountiful snow has all but melted away!
As for Austen, you can bet she and I will find plenty of other festivals to attend now that the bitter cold has taken a break. If you know of one, give me a holler!
Thanks as always for reading my blog!
-Chikage | 
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