Growing up in Northern California, snow was not something I experienced much. My neighbors here on the island humor me each year by participating in an organized snow kayaking event.
Snow kayaking in the first good dump of snow is my favorite way to endure the cold and darkest days of winter here on the island. Yesterday we woke to 8” - 12” of snow, so winter solstice was celebrated a day/night early.
I organized the kayaking party with a neighbor driving while 5 of us took turns in the kayaks dragged behind. With less than 50 winter residents on our island, there were very few other cars on the island roads and lots of fresh kayak powder!
Another neighbor had a good fire going by the time daylight faded, others brought drinks and freshly baked cookies, and I made a simple dinner to share around the fire in the dark 20F night cold.
Maybe we’ll do it all again today/tonight.