Events + Weekends in Eagle
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Winter Sunset
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By Michael Hoffmann
I believe sunsets are about the closest we can get to magic, and we have the opportunity to see them on a daily basis. There are a few moments every evening when time slows, the horizon broadens and glows, the colors change from yellow to orange to pink and purple, and then suddenly the stars come out and night is upon us. Another day is done.
As a connoisseur of sunsets, I’ve watched my share. My preferred setting for sunset-watching is up in the Idaho mountains next to a lake, or high on a mountain ridge where I can feel the wind as I face the sun for its last moments of precious warmth.
Of course, it’s much easier to get out into the wilderness during the summer when there’s no snow and the temperatures are more agreeable, right? Well, let me pique your interest, dear reader, because winter sunset watching is a fabulous activity and is accessible to anyone. All you need is a set of snowshoes and poles, a few warm clothes, a thermos of your favorite hot beverage, and some basic safety gear and you and your family are on your way to a fantastic winter experience, and not too far from home!
Imagine the crunch of snow underfoot as you take your first tentative steps in these large, yet surprisingly agile, contraptions. A couple of minutes of practice and you and your family will be toddling off down the trail like you were to the manner born. Distance passes as you float through the snow, gain elevation, and finally emerge onto a windy bluff. The sun is lowering itself in the sky, and your family gathers around to watch the moment. You pass around the hot cocoa and everyone huddles around their steaming mug, absorbed in the transition of light. The sun passes behind the horizon and the wind picks up. You’d better get back to the car before it gets dark! Off you go, back down the trail, to your waiting car, and home. Soon the scents of dinner are coming from the kitchen. The sounds of friends and family bustle throughout the house. You settle in for the evening and wrap yourself in well-deserved warmth.
Believe me when I tell you that snowshoeing is the easiest, least expensive, and arguably most fun way to get your family outside in the winter. But you’ll need to visit your local outdoor professionals to get equipped and educated correctly. There are dangers being outdoors in winter that you need to be aware of, and you have to know how to be safe, but that’s true of anything—summer or winter. Be sure to get some expert advice! Head out to your local outdoor adventure store for knowledgeable staff that will send you out in the right direction.
Idaho is a pretty special place to live, and adventures like this can happen any day you choose--any season of the year. Get out there and enjoy the winter!
