BEFORE THE RAIN OF MONDAY, which reduced our significant snow pack, I determined to document the snowy landscape of Faribault. Plus, Randy and I needed to get outdoors, stretch our legs and embrace the 30-some-degree warmth of a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Traveling around town these days requires a bit of extra caution, starting in our driveway. The towering snowbanks flanking the ends necessitate creeping out, all the while trying to see whether any vehicles are approaching. The same goes for many intersections around my community. It’s been a few winters since I’ve seen snow mounded this high. City crews are doing a good job of moving or removing snow to increase visibility. They were on my corner Monday morning to clear snow from the storm sewer drain and intersection.
Parking lots hold mountains of snow which take me back to just how much fun I had as a kid playing on the massive piles of snow my dad built with the loader on his John Deere tractor. Up and down the snow hills my siblings and I ran, playing Canadian Mounties or whatever our imaginations decided.
In Faribault on Sunday, I observed families scaling the hill by the high school after sliding down. I love seeing kids enjoying winter outdoors in Minnesota.
In a corner of the high school parking lot, the snow is pushed so high that I’m clueless as to how it got that high. It’s impressive. I don’t even want to think about how long it will take for that glacier to melt. June?
The same goes for the snow piled in the Faribo West Mall parking lot. Or maybe it’s the Walmart parking lot. The roofline of the discount retailer is barely visible.
Along and near the river in two city parks, picnic tables surrounded by snow remind me that many months will pass before anyone can picnic. Well, I suppose, technically one can picnic in winter, if you are willing to slog through a foot plus of snow to dine.
To my photographic delight, though, three ice fishermen slogged through the snow to fish on the Cannon River by the Faribault Woolen Mill Dam. Randy suggested I might want to walk out there for some close-up photos rather than rely on my zoom lens. No, thank you. At this stage in winter, especially, with snow acting as insulation on ice, I don’t trust the ice. These guys, with their portable pop-up fish houses, clearly think differently than me.
My thoughts about right now are those of being ready for winter to end. But, realistically, I understand that we have two months of winter remaining here in Minnesota. As a life-long Minnesotan, I can’t deny that. Onward, into March.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
these are great captures that show the magnitude of your winter. those mountains say it all. it’s almost march, and I tend to optimistically think it’s almost spring, but as you know, lots of winter stuff can still happen.
Yes, lots of winter stuff can still happen, especially in Minnesota. More snow is forecast for tonight. Hopefully conditions are improving in Michigan following your severe ice storm. To me ice is way worse than a lot of snow.
it’s much better other than many still without power
I’m thankful to hear conditions have improved. But being without power is certainly challenging.
All I can say is “WOW”.
And here in Minnesota, I’m saying WOW to the snow in California.
Here in Bakersfield, we have different altitudes. I live in a lower part of town, (northwest0
East side has a higher altitude. Some areas have snow, some don’t. We had hail today. Cold, but oh so pretty.
Glad you’re enjoying the Bakersfield sampling of winter.
I thought I saw you taking photos at the woolen mills. Those guys were actually netting carp. The net is stretched from one tent to the other using a hook and a series of holes. They were checking to see if the location was a good one. Every year they net Wells Lake and get a semi tanker full of carp that are shipped overnight to Chicago.
There is a high demand for carp as a food source in some ethnic dining. Sure was a nice day!!!
Larry, I appreciate your explanation of what these guys are doing. I had a draft post slated for tomorrow with more photos of this trio. I’ve now updated that with the correct info. Thank you!
Oh my, Audrey. So. much. snow! Stay warm! ❤
I agree. We have a lot of snow. But it’s warm today, by Minnesota standards, at around 40 degrees. More snow moving in this evening into tomorrow.
I enjoy all the pictures
Thank you, Ana.
It amazes me how much snow has melted since last Thursday’s 15 inches! It hasn’t even been a week.
That’s the wonderful thing about this time of year. The sun, combined with warmer temps and longer days, can cut the snow pack.
Great post! hard to believe none of this has put this year at #1 record yet in snow amount, moisture and anything else the news media can think up. The original forecasted amounts were staggering. I had puny 11″ in my driveway, was SO glad to see a front loader pull in, start throwing snow, we had mounds that look like yours. Driving around big parking lots takes strict attention. “Some” of this is pretty. There’s always Easter to break a record, this certainly interrupted Ash Wed.
Yes, we’ve certainly gotten a lot of snow, and rain, this winter season. I’d like to think, though, that the media reports facts and doesn’t think up things. Take care driving around those snowbanks.
Snow everywhere! Gonna take awhile for that to melt for sure.
Yes, and we got more snow overnight. Not a lot. It was actually quite beautiful, like being in a snow globe.
Wonderful pictures of your area. That is a large amount of snow piled!!! I am hopeful that there will only be one more month of Winter for MN… mid April vacation home would be nice to see and feel Spring… but I am packing for anything.😊
Ah, you are wise to plan for any type of weather when you are back in Minnesota. You know your home state well.