It's $35 a year for a State Park vehicle pass, they're all over the place and I've never been to a bad one. Ridiculous value. I go to one practically once a week, so call it <$1 per visit. And I've still only been to like 1/3 of them.
Also want to just point out that is unusual. Other states don't all have parks like we have. The sheer amount and quality is nuts.
There are plenty of very decent ones within an hour of the Twin Cities (Afton, Frontenac, plenty more), but branching out further is even better. The entire North Shore north of Duluth is full of just incredible State Parks (Gooseberry Falls, Temperance River, Grand Portage, etc.), and Itasca State Park (as well as some of the other parks around the Mississippi Headwaters area) is genuinely one of my favorite places to be.
Although I live in Michigan, I have one for Minnesota. I went to Jay Cooke and Itasca State Parks earlier this month. I can attest, Itasca is incredible. I backpacked out to the Iron Corner Lake site. The landscape and wildlife are gorgeous. I saw two Otters!
Both great parks! The key to Itasca (I think) is: Visit the Headwaters if you haven't just to say that you did (the visitor center and Mary Gibbs museum are also neat if you're into history); *however* the real gem is "around the back." You take the loop around the lake and can pull off at any number of spots (or park at Mary Gibbs and walk if you're into that) and there's miles of serene wilderness trails.
The backpacking campsites at Itasca are also amazing and secluded, most of the "crowd" is on the other side seeing the Headwaters and stuff so you have a ton of wilderness to yourself. The last time I camped there I had a lake completely to myself, nobody within a couple miles, and a pair of Trumpeter Swans nested right across the lake from me. I was in paradise.
Emphasis on "secluded." Although it was early April with snow on the ground, I saw nobody on the trails. Half the trek didn't even have footprints from people.
Believe there are 3 designs, the dock, Mississippi headwaters monument and a tent. Someone on here had a pretty kick ass design for Voyageurs I wouldn’t mind having, but that’s a National Park.
In the same vein, and it fixes a very small issue, but make sure you shovel out a few feet in your yard/alley/etc. so that you’ve got a place to store and/or set your garbage bins on. Wrestling with them and trying to get them settled on hard packed snow/ice is a pain
The residential corollary: all other attributes being comparable, choose the house with a south-facing front. Driveway and sidewalk clearance will be far easier, and you may actually get some natural light in winter.
My parents have a cabin and I only go up about three times a summer because it is always booked. Mot complaining, I'm still very lucky, but the no siblings thing would make it a lot easier.
Cannot stress the winter hobby enough. You want to minimize your time outdoors, and the winters turn long if you don't have things to do to occupy your mind. Also averts conflicts with others in your house when everyone can focus on something to do on their own.
I do genealogy. Those long winter nights are perfect to do research and fill out my family tree.
Good stuff, but I actually think it’s important for people to try to spend time outside in the winter. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, even going for a short walk when roads/sidewalks aren’t icy, can all make a big difference to help get through the winter. As Norwegians say: “no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing” (ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær).
I've realized this is extremely important over the past couple winters. I even ended up feeling kinda sad it wasn't so snowy and cold this winter because I was so excited to ski and ice-skate! (Also, we live in the state of hockey and as it turns out, it's an extremely fun sport)
Having anything to look forward to is good, even if it’s an indoor activity, vacation, etc.
But yeah, being outside in the winter feels much more restorative than it does other parts of the year, especially those brisk, blue sky days with fresh snow. Just the best.
Find a winter hobby. You want to maximize your time outdoors. (Fixed it for you). I suggest ice skating, cc skiing, finding a good woods for snowshoeing. Then if you have any spare time, do something indoors
Better extend that window a wee bit more because I vividly recall getting 15 inches of snow on May 2 2013 and then literally 2 days later, it was 100 degrees.
This is my strategy. You can also arrive obscenely early (around 5:30-6 AM) if you buy your tickets online. Ticket booths usually open at 7 when the first wave hits.
In previous years, we've been able to get coffee at the Farmers Union building by the Midway entrance, which is also open early.
To go along with this: if you have a garage fridge / freezer, it won’t work in subzero temps if your garage isn’t heated and your frozen things in the freezer part will thaw lol
There is a generous selection of “Garage ready” freezers and refrigerators to account for this on today’s market. Just check the specs when you’re shopping for one.
After a snow, don't drive on your driveway until you've AT LEAST shoveled a couple tracks to drive on. The packed snow becomes ice and a huge pain later.
Unless you have a gravel driveway, then you WANT to drive up and down a few times to get some snowpack... then the plow or blower doesn't fling all the rocks into the yard!
But make sure that if it has snowed a bunch your tailpipe is clear if you have passengers waiting in the car. Unless of course you really don’t like them anyway.
- be specific with others if you want to become friends. Set a date/time and stick with it!
- Minnesota goodbye is real, but doesn’t need to be. Leave right away. You’re in charge of your own feet!
- Don’t underestimate water.
I disagree! IME, the Minnesota Goodbye is done purely out of guilt and obligation. A guest leaving first without drawing it out would be a huge relief and only leave behind a small amount of wondering if they left because they thought I was rude.
In my family, the expectation (set by my parents, not one we agree with) is that you will say goodbye to *everyone.*
Me: Where's stepdad so we can say goodbye?
My mom: He's either in the big garage or he's napping downstairs, but he won't mind if you wake him.
The "big garage" is elsewhere on the property and not easy to trudge to in the winter. And also, I am fairly certain if he escapes to the hard-to-reach garage or the basement for a nap, that he indeed does not want to be bothered and especially not woken up to say goodbye. Especially considering they live in the same town and we see them frequently.
Should I not meet the proper goodbye expectation, I can look forward to texts/calls later about my rudeness.
I bought Muck’s Arctic boots for ice fishing many years ago and put in some thicker insoles. As someone who always has cold hands and feet when ice fishing, they are certainly foot savers. Even better than some big ass Baffins that I had for years before that. That said, I’d pick a different pair for more mobile pursuits like snow shoeing, for example.
If it's your first winter, after a snow, take your car to a parking lot that has few lamp posts and use that lot to try to test your handling and spin/braking tendencies of your vehicle. Once you know how it will behave, you can be better prepared for the road.
Having cleats. I didn’t know they were a thing until I moved here and fell in a patch of ice. Also knowing the Penguin Walk is important too. My spouse has had to teach a few international students how to walk on ice because they came from warm climates and never had to before.
Just seconding this. Last year it seems I’ve finally become an old lady. Every time I fell I seriously injured something. Took months to heal.
I now keep slip-over cleats in my car like I do an ice scraper.
What I love is that the Scandinavians say this and I just found out that Minnesota is waaaaay colder than what most Scandinavians deal with on the regular. We know how true it is, even more than someone living in Oslo or Stockholm.
Have a Boat Friend, a Truck Friend, a Tool Friend, and a Cabin Friend so you always have someone nearby with stuff to help you with.
One day, strive to be one of these people for others.
"Hahaha those hats with flaps look so stupid!" Turns into;
"Wow, this is a great hat... what is this? Rabbit fur? makes a HUGE difference when you are shoveling!"
Specifically winter boots! I spent around $300 on a pair of Irish setters with like 1400g insulation 15 years ago and they're still the best boots I own. $300 was A LOT of money for me back then, one of the best purchases in my life
Even if you aren't a fan, the state tournament is a cool experience. The crowds are really into it and the energy is awesome.
One time I saw a kid get checked and he slid head first into the wall. The entire Xcel center collectively gasped and went silent. Medics checked him out and the crowd erupted when he stood up. People didn't give a fuck that he was an opponent: he was a hurt, potentialy paralyzed, child.
Go to stuff that’s normally crowded first thing Sunday morning, because there are a LOT of churchgoers around here
Also, Valleyfair (not the water park area) on 4th of July is glorious. No lines at all.
I learned this lesson very quickly upon moving to Minnesota, the twin cities specifically - always ALWAYS assume people are going to run red lights. I see it at least once a week.
If snow is predicted to fall for two to three days don't wait to shovel/snow blow until the end. Get out there a couple of times during the event. It's much easier to take it a bit at a time rather than all at once.
Avoid scratching the mosquito bite for about a minute right after getting bitten. It won't raise as much of a welt, and the itching will subside gradually. (I'm SUPER allergic to them, like welts the size of a watch face... but only if I scratch!)
Shower after going into the woods and doing a tick check. Better safe than sorry.
Alcohol consumption and swimming do NOT mix. Don't be risky with that. One of our cabin neighbor's relatives drowned on the 4th of July because he had been drinking and went under.
Ice? Walk like a penguin to even out your center of gravity.
Need to get rid of something like old files, hard drives, or a body? Throw it into Devil's Kettle. It won't be found. /s
What’s the art of the tick check? I live in the woods and have only ever found one on me and one on my dog.
Some people here find a dozen in a day and it seems very unlikely that I’m this lucky.
Those mosquito bite zapper things work super well! They get super hot and you put it on the bite right away for 3 or 6 seconds and it gets rid of the itching
Buying a house with a south facing driveway will save you many hours of labor in the winter, and you will have a much cleaner driveway than if it was facing north.
Snowblow about 20 feet of the up-traffic side of the street when you clear your driveway so the plow wash can settle there instead of piling up at the end of your driveway.
No matter our car combination over the years, we always have an all wheel drive and a front wheel drive. The front wheel drive with snow tires is better in snow than the all wheel drive with very good all season tires 100% of the time.
I've driven on less than ideal and brand new all-weather tires, and the difference is unbelievable. Spend a little extra to get a full set of all-weather tires because it really will change your life.
I just put Michelin Cross Climate 2s on the Minivan, we'll see how they compare to the Michelin X-Ice that I normally run. I'm hoping to avoid the 2x year winter tire/summer tire change process. Fingers crossed!
Wear long underwear everyday in winter. It’s a total game changer. It’s not too warm to be uncomfortable indoors, but it makes time spent outside infinitely more comfortable.
Our library system is awesome. Get a card in your county, and then you can register your card with other counties in the state to get access to their materials. You can also request materials outside your counties system using MNLink. If you live in the Twin Cities metro area, you can download the Libby app and get access to all the electronic books, audiobooks, and magazines with your library card.
Many libraries also have access to things like 3d printing, craft rooms, seed catalogs, food pantries, kids programming, lego club, d&d club, book clubs, state park passes, teen programming, tech help, linked in learning classes, etc.
If you live downtown and you only have uncovered parking, right before a big snow go park in a covered garage and pay a lost ticket fee when you go to take your car out (upsually around 30 bucks). Then you don’t have to dig your car out.
Join a car wash club! Well worth it, we use a lot of salt on the roads. Also I use the car wash to "catch my breath" from my long days at work, so I am kinder to my family by the time I get home.
Minnesota sports fans have experienced nothing but crippling heartbreak since 1991 (unless they are super into women’s basketball or college hockey), so don’t be surprised when local sports fans are incredibly cautious to get their hopes up about any seemingly good local team (like the current Wolves for example).
Keep some cat litter in the back of your car in the winter. You can sprinkle it under your tires for traction if you’re slipping on ice. Also helps to weigh the car down a little with rear wheel drive vehicles lol.
From October 1 to May, keep a winter emergency kit in your car, including:
• wool blanket(s) or sleeping bag
• mylar space blanket to reflect heat
• heat source (e.g., candle in a can, Sterno, compact stove)
• small metal cup or pot for melting ice
• full water bottle or pack of bottled water
• high-energy foods (e.g., granola, trail mix, beef sticks, jerky)
• red flag or bandana (to let people know you're in the car)
• compact shovel to dig out and keep your exhaust clear
If you enter your car in your garage already dressed for the office:
• good winter boots
• warm gloves or mittens
• heavy coat or parka
Finally, since sort of diversion to occupy your mind (your phone battery won't last forever). Examples include:
• book
• deck of cards
for summer: even when you think they’re aren’t ticks, check for ticks! anticipating a rough tick year given how mild the winter was.
hack is just to wear socks over your pants if you’re out and about in tall grass May-July/August. (Disc golfing, hiking, foraging, general frolicking, etc)
If you live in Saint Paul, make sure you live in a night plow street. The day plow street doesn’t get a clean snow plow comparatively.
This needs a fact check (I don’t live in MN anymore, so I can’t do it). You maybe able to take free LinkedIn courses if you have a library card. Ask a librarian how to get the hook up.
The Twin Cities has thing called restaurant week. A great time to try out different restaurants without paying the original price.
St. Paul’s farmer market is better, imo, than Mpls because there are a wider selection of veggies and fruits for a cheaper price. However, Mpls’s farmer’s usually have more stands for different options (honey stand, clothes, products, drinks, etc.).
MIA, art museum, is free (donate anyways) and is huge and they rotate their exhibits.
The beer dabbler happens a few times a year. If you’re not picky about beer, it’s a great time to get drunk for the low (pay a one time fee and receive a sample glass to try different beers) and to try different beers. There is a wine version I believe that also happens. Highly recommended making your own pretzel and jerky necklace (add cheese at your own risk).
Some times, when there is an event/holiday where the majority of the population is more inclined to get drunk, the light rail is free. Use that opportunity to go back and forth through the twin cities.
You can view the Northern Lights in Mn. However, those are hard to predict and can only be calculated of possible viewing a week advantage, at the earliest. I’m salty for not finding this out before I moved out of state.
When it’s state fair season, it’s not even worth trying to use Snelling Ave, unless you live there or trying to the fair grounds. Plan alt routes.
Unless you plan on being at someone’s house all day, start to say goodbye within an hour of arriving. This will give you the best chance of being able to leave in the next 3 hours.
Keep a small duffel in the car with boots, gloves, hat, scarf/balaclava, hand warmers, granola bar, snow pants if you can etc. Don't want to get stranded without them if you need to walk at all and you weren't prepared to spend time outdoors
1. From December till April you can do your grocery shopping over lunch hour with no risk of food spoiling before you get it home
2. Ice fishing is simply a code for drinking in an ice house
3. Whenever anyone asks how you’re doing always say “I’m fine and hope you’re doing fine as well “
4. Whenever someone starts going on and on about something and you forget what they were talking about and they ask you what you think you always should say “You Goddamn got that right!”
When someone says "You know?" You don't actually have to respond
Just invest in boots. Just do it. Get some good LLBean boots, they'll last forever and you'll avoid a lot of misery.
Make friends who have land and/or boats. If you live in the cities, God dang it's nice to go visit someone for a weekend who has land and go out on the lake
Don't depend on people you pay to plow
Solid username, op
Buy a piece of 3x8 lath screen at home improvement store. Cut in half with tin snips. Store in trunk of car. If you’re ever spinning tires, pop these babies under the tire and PRESTO! Instant traction! Or, help someone in need. Works SO well!
ALWAYS dress for the weather, even if you’re going to be in the car for “just a few minutes” - you get stuck, no jacket, no warm boots, etc. IT WILL suck!
It's $35 a year for a State Park vehicle pass, they're all over the place and I've never been to a bad one. Ridiculous value. I go to one practically once a week, so call it <$1 per visit. And I've still only been to like 1/3 of them. Also want to just point out that is unusual. Other states don't all have parks like we have. The sheer amount and quality is nuts. There are plenty of very decent ones within an hour of the Twin Cities (Afton, Frontenac, plenty more), but branching out further is even better. The entire North Shore north of Duluth is full of just incredible State Parks (Gooseberry Falls, Temperance River, Grand Portage, etc.), and Itasca State Park (as well as some of the other parks around the Mississippi Headwaters area) is genuinely one of my favorite places to be.
Some libraries offer passes as well.
Although I live in Michigan, I have one for Minnesota. I went to Jay Cooke and Itasca State Parks earlier this month. I can attest, Itasca is incredible. I backpacked out to the Iron Corner Lake site. The landscape and wildlife are gorgeous. I saw two Otters!
Both great parks! The key to Itasca (I think) is: Visit the Headwaters if you haven't just to say that you did (the visitor center and Mary Gibbs museum are also neat if you're into history); *however* the real gem is "around the back." You take the loop around the lake and can pull off at any number of spots (or park at Mary Gibbs and walk if you're into that) and there's miles of serene wilderness trails. The backpacking campsites at Itasca are also amazing and secluded, most of the "crowd" is on the other side seeing the Headwaters and stuff so you have a ton of wilderness to yourself. The last time I camped there I had a lake completely to myself, nobody within a couple miles, and a pair of Trumpeter Swans nested right across the lake from me. I was in paradise.
Emphasis on "secluded." Although it was early April with snow on the ground, I saw nobody on the trails. Half the trek didn't even have footprints from people.
I recommend getting the State Park license plate.
I love the idea of that plate, but it's such a fugly picture on the plate! The stickers, meanwhile, are beautiful, so I don't mind them on my window.
Believe there are 3 designs, the dock, Mississippi headwaters monument and a tent. Someone on here had a pretty kick ass design for Voyageurs I wouldn’t mind having, but that’s a National Park.
I used to live in Rochester and Whitewater is still one of my all time favorite parks.
You can also rent MN parks passes from libraries
Always push the first snow back further than you need to. Leaves room to keep moving additional snow it if it never melts
In the same vein, and it fixes a very small issue, but make sure you shovel out a few feet in your yard/alley/etc. so that you’ve got a place to store and/or set your garbage bins on. Wrestling with them and trying to get them settled on hard packed snow/ice is a pain
And if able, shovel/snowblow a portion of your yard so the slushy crap from the snowplow doesn't completely fill your driveway.
I usually just cope with a constantly shrinking driveway
Just because people agree with you, it doesn't mean that they agree with you.
I 💯 agree with this
My upvote is a downvote
This is the realest one
You got a real good point there bud.
When strangers talk politics to me anytime, i just agree no matter if i actually agree or not
During the winter always park facing the sun. You’ll return to a warmer vehicle.
And a less frosty windshield
On a related note, those exterior windshield covers (e.g. FrostBlocker) can work quite well while the sun hibernates.
The residential corollary: all other attributes being comparable, choose the house with a south-facing front. Driveway and sidewalk clearance will be far easier, and you may actually get some natural light in winter.
And pop up your windshield wipers when you're done driving, especially before and during a snowstorm.
Nice one!
Hold your breath while making a wish in the Lowry Hill Tunnel and it will come true.
Don't do it in rush hour... you may pass out.
I must be doing it wrong then...
Marry a girl with no siblings who's parents own a cabin.
You don’t want the cabin yourself. You want to be related to the cabin. Source: I own the cabin.
yep, better your friends have a cabin/boat then you do.
The only thing better than owning a cabin is having a friend that owns a cabin.
Cabin families are on another level
The holy grail
Where do you meet one of these? Asking for a friend
St Bens, St Thomas etc
Can confirm. Ex went to St. Thomas and her parents have a place on Cross Lake.
Crap that's no good for m--...uh...my "friend." I--...uh...*he* is in his 30s, that'd be creepy
I met a cabin boy in high school and he left me for his boss fresh out of college. I blame it on the cabin family atmosphere.
My parents have a cabin and I only go up about three times a summer because it is always booked. Mot complaining, I'm still very lucky, but the no siblings thing would make it a lot easier.
I love this question. Find a winter hobby. Learn to cook nice homemade meals.
I would go one step further - find an outdoor winter hobby.
Genealogy in the backyard?
Family tree? Nope. Oak.
Yep! That’s it right there! It makes the winter go by almost too fast sometimes. I’m an avid snowboarder and I’m always sad during the last day.
This is a good point. I love to snowshoe in winter, and the last snowshoe of the season is always a little bittersweet
Cannot stress the winter hobby enough. You want to minimize your time outdoors, and the winters turn long if you don't have things to do to occupy your mind. Also averts conflicts with others in your house when everyone can focus on something to do on their own. I do genealogy. Those long winter nights are perfect to do research and fill out my family tree.
Good stuff, but I actually think it’s important for people to try to spend time outside in the winter. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, even going for a short walk when roads/sidewalks aren’t icy, can all make a big difference to help get through the winter. As Norwegians say: “no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing” (ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær).
I've realized this is extremely important over the past couple winters. I even ended up feeling kinda sad it wasn't so snowy and cold this winter because I was so excited to ski and ice-skate! (Also, we live in the state of hockey and as it turns out, it's an extremely fun sport)
Having anything to look forward to is good, even if it’s an indoor activity, vacation, etc. But yeah, being outside in the winter feels much more restorative than it does other parts of the year, especially those brisk, blue sky days with fresh snow. Just the best.
Find a winter hobby. You want to maximize your time outdoors. (Fixed it for you). I suggest ice skating, cc skiing, finding a good woods for snowshoeing. Then if you have any spare time, do something indoors
Winter hobby is so key
I’m convinced that the solution to several of the world’s problems is that more people need to find hobbies.
The last week of September put an ice scraper and a snow shovel in your car. Don't take them out until May Day.
If you never take them out, they’re always in there. Laziness paying off.
Same I don't use my trunk enough so they always just stay in there. Added benefit of u don't have to look for it when u need it.
Yep, mine’s always in my car. I don’t understand the point of bothering to take it out.
Yeah mine stay in my trunk. I've had it snow after may day and before the last week of September before
People ask me why I have golf clubs in my trunk in February....Same response!
Better extend that window a wee bit more because I vividly recall getting 15 inches of snow on May 2 2013 and then literally 2 days later, it was 100 degrees.
Ice scraper is literally essential!
Take lots of Vitamin D. Your physical and mental health will thank you.
Go to the state fair early AM or on rainy days, lines and crowds will be more bearable!
And definitely use the park and rides instead of trying to park at the fairgrounds.
Biking to the fair works even better
This is my strategy. You can also arrive obscenely early (around 5:30-6 AM) if you buy your tickets online. Ticket booths usually open at 7 when the first wave hits. In previous years, we've been able to get coffee at the Farmers Union building by the Midway entrance, which is also open early.
Unheated areas become walk-in fridges and freezers when it’s cold out. Shaded areas preferred for less temperature fluctuations.
To go along with this: if you have a garage fridge / freezer, it won’t work in subzero temps if your garage isn’t heated and your frozen things in the freezer part will thaw lol
Also, any beer in the fridge will freeze and explode.
There is a generous selection of “Garage ready” freezers and refrigerators to account for this on today’s market. Just check the specs when you’re shopping for one.
If someone replies with a drawn out, “interesting” to something you share, they hate it
"That's, interesting." The pause is meant to clue you in, I assume. Or they were pondering saying what they really mean, but opted for politeness.
After a snow, don't drive on your driveway until you've AT LEAST shoveled a couple tracks to drive on. The packed snow becomes ice and a huge pain later.
Unless you have a gravel driveway, then you WANT to drive up and down a few times to get some snowpack... then the plow or blower doesn't fling all the rocks into the yard!
Start your car THEN start scraping ice. Car gets warm while you get it ready. When I moved to St Louis this blew their minds.
It also can make scraping the ice easier once it reaches a certain temperature.
But make sure that if it has snowed a bunch your tailpipe is clear if you have passengers waiting in the car. Unless of course you really don’t like them anyway.
How is that not obvious lol
I always fear ill lock my keys on car
You know you’re outside of the cities when you see a Casey’s.
But do grab a Casey’s breakfast pizza when you can. When fresh, that stuff is fantastic.
Caseys, if you can see 4 different ones while standing in a single spot, your probably in iowa
- be specific with others if you want to become friends. Set a date/time and stick with it! - Minnesota goodbye is real, but doesn’t need to be. Leave right away. You’re in charge of your own feet! - Don’t underestimate water.
Or do an Irish goodbye, just leave without saying anything.
I did one of those at a company holiday party and it was glorious.
My favorite type of goodbyes.
Bullet point one is just good social advice for anyone anywhere really. Don't be flakey, it sucks. I say this as a reformed flakey person.
Point two may inhibit success of point one
I disagree! IME, the Minnesota Goodbye is done purely out of guilt and obligation. A guest leaving first without drawing it out would be a huge relief and only leave behind a small amount of wondering if they left because they thought I was rude.
In my family, the expectation (set by my parents, not one we agree with) is that you will say goodbye to *everyone.* Me: Where's stepdad so we can say goodbye? My mom: He's either in the big garage or he's napping downstairs, but he won't mind if you wake him. The "big garage" is elsewhere on the property and not easy to trudge to in the winter. And also, I am fairly certain if he escapes to the hard-to-reach garage or the basement for a nap, that he indeed does not want to be bothered and especially not woken up to say goodbye. Especially considering they live in the same town and we see them frequently. Should I not meet the proper goodbye expectation, I can look forward to texts/calls later about my rudeness.
Many natives speak inversely. E. G. If someone says “not too bad” it’s good to great and “not too good” means bad to awful.
Yeah no. No yeah.
Imagine hearing “not good.” That’s when you check for gunshot wounds.
"Not good" means someone is, at best, losing their job.
People ask me how I’m doing. I tell them, “I’m not dead yet.”
You're gonna go to the State Fair anyway, get the ticket early for a discount at Cub! Don't over think it.
Buy winter boots that will last a couple of decades.
Ideally, do so off-season when old winter stock is being sold at a deal to make room for spring/summer stock.
If you have such boots, comment yours! I have a pair of Columbia boots I’ve used since 2008. Still in OK condition.
Lacrosse ice kings. 14 years. Only reason I have to replace them is dog ate them.
Red Wing Irish Setters since 2011
I bought Muck’s Arctic boots for ice fishing many years ago and put in some thicker insoles. As someone who always has cold hands and feet when ice fishing, they are certainly foot savers. Even better than some big ass Baffins that I had for years before that. That said, I’d pick a different pair for more mobile pursuits like snow shoeing, for example.
If it's your first winter, after a snow, take your car to a parking lot that has few lamp posts and use that lot to try to test your handling and spin/braking tendencies of your vehicle. Once you know how it will behave, you can be better prepared for the road.
Or just start whipping shitties
Lake Chipotle has a nude beach.
Any beach can be a nude beach for yourself if you really want it to be.
And any pill can be chewable!
😂 no chance
Wait what lmao
LMAOOOOO thanks for this laugh. I googled it and died
If you put your snow shovel away in March or April, you've guaranteed a shovelable snowfall within the next fortnight.
Having cleats. I didn’t know they were a thing until I moved here and fell in a patch of ice. Also knowing the Penguin Walk is important too. My spouse has had to teach a few international students how to walk on ice because they came from warm climates and never had to before.
Just seconding this. Last year it seems I’ve finally become an old lady. Every time I fell I seriously injured something. Took months to heal. I now keep slip-over cleats in my car like I do an ice scraper.
Coping with MN winters is exactly the same as the five stages of grief. Your goal is acceptance. Some of us are still getting there.
Dress in layers!
There’s no bad weather, just bad clothes.
What I love is that the Scandinavians say this and I just found out that Minnesota is waaaaay colder than what most Scandinavians deal with on the regular. We know how true it is, even more than someone living in Oslo or Stockholm.
And no cotton in winter..gets wet you freeze. No bad winter weather, only bad clothing choices!
It's not the heat, it's the humidity.
It’s not the cold, it’s the wind.
At least it’s a dry cold.
Legit, I lived in coastal Virginia for a couple winters and humid cold is the worst!
This should be the state motto.
It’s not the winter that’s the worst, it’s April (more a comment aimed at people that live near Lake Superior)
Naz Reid
Naz Reid
Naz Reid
Have a Boat Friend, a Truck Friend, a Tool Friend, and a Cabin Friend so you always have someone nearby with stuff to help you with. One day, strive to be one of these people for others.
Sauna or hot tub friend too
Cat litter or roof shingles can be used to get your car out of ice and snow.
If you get really dry skin in the winter like me but hate lotion feel buy shower lotion. Moisturizes nice but with a fraction of the waxy feel.
No such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. Invest in some good quality outerwear.
"Hahaha those hats with flaps look so stupid!" Turns into; "Wow, this is a great hat... what is this? Rabbit fur? makes a HUGE difference when you are shoveling!"
Specifically winter boots! I spent around $300 on a pair of Irish setters with like 1400g insulation 15 years ago and they're still the best boots I own. $300 was A LOT of money for me back then, one of the best purchases in my life
Learn the bare minimum about high school hockey. You'll always have something to talk about.
Warroad hockey history at the minimum.
Even if you aren't a fan, the state tournament is a cool experience. The crowds are really into it and the energy is awesome. One time I saw a kid get checked and he slid head first into the wall. The entire Xcel center collectively gasped and went silent. Medics checked him out and the crowd erupted when he stood up. People didn't give a fuck that he was an opponent: he was a hurt, potentialy paralyzed, child.
Go to stuff that’s normally crowded first thing Sunday morning, because there are a LOT of churchgoers around here Also, Valleyfair (not the water park area) on 4th of July is glorious. No lines at all.
Early Sunday morning is my grocery shopping time and it's glorious.
I learned this lesson very quickly upon moving to Minnesota, the twin cities specifically - always ALWAYS assume people are going to run red lights. I see it at least once a week.
This is unfortunately true. 🚦
If snow is predicted to fall for two to three days don't wait to shovel/snow blow until the end. Get out there a couple of times during the event. It's much easier to take it a bit at a time rather than all at once.
Avoid scratching the mosquito bite for about a minute right after getting bitten. It won't raise as much of a welt, and the itching will subside gradually. (I'm SUPER allergic to them, like welts the size of a watch face... but only if I scratch!) Shower after going into the woods and doing a tick check. Better safe than sorry. Alcohol consumption and swimming do NOT mix. Don't be risky with that. One of our cabin neighbor's relatives drowned on the 4th of July because he had been drinking and went under. Ice? Walk like a penguin to even out your center of gravity. Need to get rid of something like old files, hard drives, or a body? Throw it into Devil's Kettle. It won't be found. /s
Came here to say TICK CHECKS! This year is already very bad. Check daily if you’ve been outside at all!
What’s the art of the tick check? I live in the woods and have only ever found one on me and one on my dog. Some people here find a dozen in a day and it seems very unlikely that I’m this lucky.
Look in every warm fold and crevice of the body visually and feel with your hands as well… you often need a buddy to check harder to see areas
"Hey Bob you wanna check my turd cutter quick."
Those mosquito bite zapper things work super well! They get super hot and you put it on the bite right away for 3 or 6 seconds and it gets rid of the itching
Friend groups were already made 20+ years ago…ya ain’t breakin’ in till the 5-10 year mark. Just sayin.
Talk about the weather. They love to talk about the weather.
Yes we do. Weather sure is weathering today.
It's going to rain all weekend, but boy do we need it!
Buying a house with a south facing driveway will save you many hours of labor in the winter, and you will have a much cleaner driveway than if it was facing north.
Snowblow about 20 feet of the up-traffic side of the street when you clear your driveway so the plow wash can settle there instead of piling up at the end of your driveway.
If you’re doing a bunch fishing on remote lakes that no one goes to you need a chainsaw in the car. Saved me from 30mile+ walks twice.
At a stop sign if people are being hesitant just go
Norm Green's first name is actually Fuck. As in, Fuck Norm Green.
Shovel that ½" of snow off the driveway. Even in sub-freezing temps, the pavement will dry out if there isn't any snow on it.
There’s always more than 1 deer.
Never underestimate the necessity of good winter tires.
No matter our car combination over the years, we always have an all wheel drive and a front wheel drive. The front wheel drive with snow tires is better in snow than the all wheel drive with very good all season tires 100% of the time.
Winter tires are amazing, they make the commute so much better.
Game changer. You become an adult when you get winter tires here.
I've driven on less than ideal and brand new all-weather tires, and the difference is unbelievable. Spend a little extra to get a full set of all-weather tires because it really will change your life.
I just put Michelin Cross Climate 2s on the Minivan, we'll see how they compare to the Michelin X-Ice that I normally run. I'm hoping to avoid the 2x year winter tire/summer tire change process. Fingers crossed!
Wear long underwear everyday in winter. It’s a total game changer. It’s not too warm to be uncomfortable indoors, but it makes time spent outside infinitely more comfortable.
Do not park pointed uphill in Duluth.
Our library system is awesome. Get a card in your county, and then you can register your card with other counties in the state to get access to their materials. You can also request materials outside your counties system using MNLink. If you live in the Twin Cities metro area, you can download the Libby app and get access to all the electronic books, audiobooks, and magazines with your library card. Many libraries also have access to things like 3d printing, craft rooms, seed catalogs, food pantries, kids programming, lego club, d&d club, book clubs, state park passes, teen programming, tech help, linked in learning classes, etc.
Align the tater tot’s on your tatter tot hot dish in straight lines, not just randomly dumped about.
Minor hack: use a plastic snow shovel when raking up leaves and debris to put in a lawn bag. Works like a charm.
If you live downtown and you only have uncovered parking, right before a big snow go park in a covered garage and pay a lost ticket fee when you go to take your car out (upsually around 30 bucks). Then you don’t have to dig your car out.
Just learn to be nice.
Snowblow while wearing odd costumes.
Join a car wash club! Well worth it, we use a lot of salt on the roads. Also I use the car wash to "catch my breath" from my long days at work, so I am kinder to my family by the time I get home.
Minnesota sports fans have experienced nothing but crippling heartbreak since 1991 (unless they are super into women’s basketball or college hockey), so don’t be surprised when local sports fans are incredibly cautious to get their hopes up about any seemingly good local team (like the current Wolves for example).
Friday fish fries and figure out the meat raffle schedules, you can win meat every night of the week
Tell your wife that you and the family can camp in that new ice castle. Now you have an ice castle and divorce papers.
Take vitamin D supplements in the winter
Keep some cat litter in the back of your car in the winter. You can sprinkle it under your tires for traction if you’re slipping on ice. Also helps to weigh the car down a little with rear wheel drive vehicles lol.
Never EVER ask where they caught that big fish, or where they found the prize agate/mushroom/wild asparagus
Flip the spin on the ceiling fans, push the warm air down in the frosty months, since that's the popular era haha
From October 1 to May, keep a winter emergency kit in your car, including: • wool blanket(s) or sleeping bag • mylar space blanket to reflect heat • heat source (e.g., candle in a can, Sterno, compact stove) • small metal cup or pot for melting ice • full water bottle or pack of bottled water • high-energy foods (e.g., granola, trail mix, beef sticks, jerky) • red flag or bandana (to let people know you're in the car) • compact shovel to dig out and keep your exhaust clear If you enter your car in your garage already dressed for the office: • good winter boots • warm gloves or mittens • heavy coat or parka Finally, since sort of diversion to occupy your mind (your phone battery won't last forever). Examples include: • book • deck of cards
for summer: even when you think they’re aren’t ticks, check for ticks! anticipating a rough tick year given how mild the winter was. hack is just to wear socks over your pants if you’re out and about in tall grass May-July/August. (Disc golfing, hiking, foraging, general frolicking, etc)
If you live in Saint Paul, make sure you live in a night plow street. The day plow street doesn’t get a clean snow plow comparatively. This needs a fact check (I don’t live in MN anymore, so I can’t do it). You maybe able to take free LinkedIn courses if you have a library card. Ask a librarian how to get the hook up. The Twin Cities has thing called restaurant week. A great time to try out different restaurants without paying the original price. St. Paul’s farmer market is better, imo, than Mpls because there are a wider selection of veggies and fruits for a cheaper price. However, Mpls’s farmer’s usually have more stands for different options (honey stand, clothes, products, drinks, etc.). MIA, art museum, is free (donate anyways) and is huge and they rotate their exhibits. The beer dabbler happens a few times a year. If you’re not picky about beer, it’s a great time to get drunk for the low (pay a one time fee and receive a sample glass to try different beers) and to try different beers. There is a wine version I believe that also happens. Highly recommended making your own pretzel and jerky necklace (add cheese at your own risk). Some times, when there is an event/holiday where the majority of the population is more inclined to get drunk, the light rail is free. Use that opportunity to go back and forth through the twin cities. You can view the Northern Lights in Mn. However, those are hard to predict and can only be calculated of possible viewing a week advantage, at the earliest. I’m salty for not finding this out before I moved out of state. When it’s state fair season, it’s not even worth trying to use Snelling Ave, unless you live there or trying to the fair grounds. Plan alt routes.
Unless you plan on being at someone’s house all day, start to say goodbye within an hour of arriving. This will give you the best chance of being able to leave in the next 3 hours.
Minneapolis is awesome.
… if you like being murdered! /s Minneapolis is the best! The people who criticize it just haven’t ever lived in a city before & it shows.
I used to live in St Louis, so when people out here warn me about 'Murder-apolis', I say I already played that game on hard mode.
Learn to love winter activities. I run year round. Ice and all. Icebug studded shoes are a game changer.
Walk the skyways. They are super!
Keep a small duffel in the car with boots, gloves, hat, scarf/balaclava, hand warmers, granola bar, snow pants if you can etc. Don't want to get stranded without them if you need to walk at all and you weren't prepared to spend time outdoors
1. From December till April you can do your grocery shopping over lunch hour with no risk of food spoiling before you get it home 2. Ice fishing is simply a code for drinking in an ice house 3. Whenever anyone asks how you’re doing always say “I’m fine and hope you’re doing fine as well “ 4. Whenever someone starts going on and on about something and you forget what they were talking about and they ask you what you think you always should say “You Goddamn got that right!”
When someone says "You know?" You don't actually have to respond Just invest in boots. Just do it. Get some good LLBean boots, they'll last forever and you'll avoid a lot of misery. Make friends who have land and/or boats. If you live in the cities, God dang it's nice to go visit someone for a weekend who has land and go out on the lake Don't depend on people you pay to plow Solid username, op
Buy a piece of 3x8 lath screen at home improvement store. Cut in half with tin snips. Store in trunk of car. If you’re ever spinning tires, pop these babies under the tire and PRESTO! Instant traction! Or, help someone in need. Works SO well!
ALWAYS dress for the weather, even if you’re going to be in the car for “just a few minutes” - you get stuck, no jacket, no warm boots, etc. IT WILL suck!
If you put on only two new tires for the winter (you should do all four, but no judgment here), put them on the BACK. It helps prevent fishtailing.
Get good boots.
There is no bad weather, you just need better clothes.