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are no weeds to pull and my kids are adorable in their hats. It’s the time of year when we sled, make snowmen and then head indoors to enjoying the warmth and each other. Traditionally, winter is supposed to be the season of rest and recovery. But in this issue of Country you’ll hear from readers who resist the urge to hibernate for the winter. In staying out and about, they see the best the coldest season has to offer. Robert Edgington writes about how the power of snow transforms a beloved covered bridge (page 22). Anne Duvall and her family celebrate the end of a blizzard with a picnic (page 20). Ann McGlynn goes outside her comfort zone and rides a dog sled through Superior National Forest (page 26).…
Snow Play It’s time to pack away Christmas decorations, but winter is still going strong. If fluffy flakes are flying in your backyard, send us your photos. Take some snapshots of fun activities like sledding and snowshoeing, spectacular scenery and kids and pets playing. Tell us what led to the picture and who’s in it. Hidden Gems We like to introduce our readers to the most beautiful parks they’ve never heard of in a special section we call Hidden Gems. We’re looking for your recommendations. Are there any national or state parks or forests you’d like to tell us about? Please send your stories and photos. Make Us Laugh Country life produces more than its fair share of sidesplitting moments. Here at Country and Country Extra, we love nothing more…
“Our hilly hayfield turned into the perfect sledding spot for our daughters,” says Tracy Walker of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. “They had a lot of fun zipping down the hill, but while pulling their sleds back up, it probably felt like they were climbing Mount Everest. Libby’s big sister, Gracie, waited at the top, encouraging her to keep going.” CARE TO SHARE? Show us your candid country moments. Learn how to share a photo and caption in our guidelines on page 60!…
You feel like you have been let in on a precious secret as you drive up the Oregon coast in winter. It is not crowded, the air is pleasantly brisk and the views are breathtaking. I have many favorite spots, and during my last trip that way, I decided to investigate a dot on the map along U.S. Highway 101. There, I found an unspoiled gem. If you blink while driving through Depoe Bay, you may miss the sign that says “World’s Smallest Harbor,” and at just six acres, it is the smallest naturally occurring navigable one. Locally owned souvenir stands and art galleries line the highway as it gently bends to run parallel to the ocean. A seawall runs the length of downtown, allowing visitors to shop and dine…
ON THE DAY I SAW my husband slumped over a ladder clearing snow off the roof of the motel we were managing, my heart dropped. I turned in our notice on Christmas Day and started to cry. I was 58, and we were suddenly about to become homeless. I knew the owners wouldn’t have kicked us out in winter, but friends offered us their camper to live in while we looked for a place to rent. When I woke up the first morning, the temperature was 30 degrees in the camper—my husband, Wes, fearing a fire, had not kept the heater running through the night. But I was grateful for a place to rest, clear my thoughts and regroup. Before the month ended we had several leads for jobs but…
OUR DOG ZOE loves the snow almost as much as she loves getting a treat. How could you refuse her sweet face? She gives us a lot of pleasure. Dee Robinson Melvern, Kansas THIS IS TUCKER, our son Ryan’s dog. Tucker was just a puppy when I took this photo of him experiencing his first snowfall. He ran around with delight and loved playing in it. Debbie Smith New Concord, Ohio ONE WINTER MORNING, I let Remmington out. Just as I was ready to put my socks on, he wanted to come back in. He ran in, grabbed my sock and took off out the door again. He threw the sock up and let it land in the snow. After 15 minutes of play, I let him win and went…
