As the sun set and we wrapped up our session on whole grain nutrition (moral: eat more!) the cold blanket of dusk started to wrap it’s veil over Dillon. We had an hour to kill in between training and a pot-luck dinner with the HQ staff, so Matt and I went out for a walk.
It’s really really cold out there. Have you ever had ice crystals form on your nostrils? Breathed in air that felt like needles in your lungs it was so cold? Despite those little details, walking outside here is really not that bad at all. My body is always warm in my down coat and my boots, hood and gloves keep me nice and warm. It’s really only my thighs that get cold!
We looped back around and headed for the Elk’s Lodge to meet our group.
This is how Dillon rolls
He may be an Elk, but he sure looks like a Moose drooling on Matt!
We shared a couple of local brews for cocktail hour – I got another Cold Smoke!
The whole staff provided a beautiful pot-luck for us – complete with everything from soup to buffalo chicken nachos to casseroles to salads to desserts. It all tasted wonderful!
I tasted nearly everything – such a wide variety of good foods!
The ever-tempting dessert table
Matt and I had to taste them all. We shared this pretty plate
I had two bites of each…because one juts didn’t cut it.
Our walk home is always brisk and goes by so quickly! It’s so much warmer here at 8PM than at 7AM when the cold has set in all night long. I’m hoping to get to bed early tonight because somehow Matt has convinced me to get up super early and drive to the university here to take an exercise class by one of the Great Harvest staff! Silly boy. I’m only agreeing to do it for the experience!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
Good luck with your early a.m. class!
The food looks delish and so does the dessert table 🙂
Glad you sampled a bit of almost everything and have had such a great time there it looks like! Dillon looks so tranquil in these pics!
Blog is the New Black says
Look at you braving the elements! I am currently waiting for the 2 feet of snow that is Boston-bound!
Hannah says
Oh gosh, beautiful pictures! (For once, I’m talking about the snow, not the cake…)
Emily @ One Sweet Vegan says
You and Matt are always doing something fun! I love the photos of the snow.
Dorry says
I feel cold just thinking about it there! I’m impressed with your ability to withstand it. Glad you have a hefty coat. Pretty hilarious about the class at the university – you’re a trooper! 😉
Stacy says
That dinner looks great. I love getting to try a bunch of different dishes in one meal.
Enjoy the exercise class tomorrow!
Carla @ Will Run for Health says
Wow, you guys have had a jam packed time out there! I like that you sampled all the deserts! I feel like sometimes people skip over them in an effort to be “healthy”. However, I feel that being healthy is being balanced enough to enjoy the good things in life, just not going over board. Good luck in the exercise class!
Camille says
I had ice crystals form in my nose for the first time the other day! I couldn’t figure out what in the world was going on in my nose 🙂
Alaina says
As cold as it looks (and sure is) there, the scenery is SO beautiful! 🙂
Hope you’re having a good trip!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Good luck with your class in the morning!!!
Looks like you are having so much fun! 😀
Sana says
Your post is making me so coldddd!!!
Anne (butter and bear) says
Dillion looks freezing, but kind of fun at the same time. I wouldn’t want to live in such cold weather full time, but two weeks would be perfect to get to experience it. Good luck at your exercise class, the things we do for our better halves:-)
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
I can’t imagine walking around in such cold weather! Here in Cleveland, the temperature is in the high teens, and I think it’s FREEZING. My face hurts when I walk outside for too long!
Jill B. says
Your first “nostricle”!
[email protected] lady says
Awww you look so cozy in your warm winter coat! That dessert looks super good too! Definitely two-bite worthy 🙂
Amanda (Eating Up) says
Potlucks are so fun! And I definitely know that cold feeling you were talking about. It’s a different world!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
I’m laughing at your “ice crystals in the nose occurence” 🙂 that’s an everyday matter where I live! And Kath, if your thighs are getting cold it’s because you’re missing one of my Northwoods clothing staples…LONGJOHNS! 😉
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Jazz says
Exactly! that happens EVERY day here for like 5 months.. jogging in it definitly requires the face mask! Then my eyelashes get iced together!
Katelyn says
It all looks delish! I love potlucks:) Speaking of which, I have yet to go to one this winter! Better check that off my list;)
Namaste Gurl says
Ooooh, I totally know that feeling of needles in your lungs when breathing in cold air. Not a fun one, indeed. Glad you had a good day 🙂
Leila @ Spinach and Skittles says
When I was in 5th grade we had to “invent” a nose muff (like earmuff’s, but for your nose). Sure would help your nosicles!
Have fun at the class tomorrow morning 🙂
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen says
Ohh – buffalo chicken nachos. Sounds like a perfect ‘warm me up’ choice! 🙂
Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate says
Great Harvest seems like such a family atmosphere–totally unlike most franchise type businesses. Very cool!
Kat says
“Have you ever had ice crystals form on your nostrils? Breathed in air that felt like needles in your lungs it was so cold?”
Yup, happens very frequently where I live. I curse the bus as I wait in the cold. One thing I do like about this kind of weather is that its very refreshing!
Dee says
Oh wow. You guys are awesome for walking out in the cold like that. I doubt I could get my husband (or to be completely honest – myself) to attempt that!
The pot luck dinner looked so festive!
Tori says
As a Minnesotan, I totally second the long johns comment! I live in long johns November-April! I suggest picking up some next time you go somewhere cold!
JenATX says
good for you waking up early! atta girl 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I am seriously in love with that town! I can’t wait to see more.
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I’ve definitely experienced cold temps like that growing up in Minnesota and now living in Alaska! I feel your pain!!
Patricia says
To protect your lungs breathe through a scarf.
Marina says
I love coming to a warm place after a brisk walk in the cold. Good luck with the class!
Dynamics says
i love the way you and Matt find a way to make it work where ever you are. You are going to miss him once he is back getting up at the crack of dawn and working. Congrats again!
[email protected] says
What an absolutely beautiful place you are in!! Those photos are seriously magical!
Cara Craves... says
All the deer motifs are hilarious!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Mmmm… everything @ the potluck looks soooo GOOD! YUMMM
sarah (the SHU box) says
i thought of you yesterday when i went out side to walk around in our slish (snow/ice’/slush) — i was inwardly complaining until i thought about how much warmer it must be here than where you & matt are, and yet you two are still managing to get outside 🙂
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
I’m surprised there was no bread at the potluck!
Jessica says
You’re braver than I am with your walks!
My car broke down on Monday and despite that I only work a mile away I’m having the husband drop me off instead of walking 🙂
Jessica
Simply Life says
You should get long underwear! I have a great set of pants that I put on under my jeans and it always keeps my legs so much warmer!!!
Kath says
I have layers but they won’t fit under my jeans! ONly my ski pants, which I might wear on the walk today!
Mary Frances says
When Patricia commented to use washable silk long underwear on your Below-Zero post 1/10/11 currently #46, I didn’t bother–‘nuf said’. Also, on this post below (but earlier)–Amy did too. Gone are the days of the bulky long underwear we probably all wore in our childhood. Silk is paper thin, but soooo warm–they will fit under even tight jeans. I wear silk long underwear (and stay warm) with two pair of ‘Under Armour Cold Gear’ pants when I am going to be outside all day when it is in the teens and windy. While I am sure many companies offer them, I get mine through the outfitter REI–goto REI.com. While pricy, they are worth every penny (listed at $32.50…they also have listed (but I have not tried) and probably would also be great under jeans–REI lightweight Polartec and Smartwool microweight and midweight long underwear pricing up to $75…but when you are regularly that cold that cost becomes nominal if they are keeping you warm).
Kathleen @morethaneasymac says
Beautiful pictures of the snow. Stay warm!
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
The Elk/Moose photos are my favorites.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
aw, i think it’s going to be fun to do the class this morning! hope y’all are staying warm…that cold can be brutal!
Katie says
Love the spread, best part is the dessert table! Love taking a slice of or piece of each thing, its a good way to share with my fiance and have a taste of it all ; )
U have to admit, the UGGS are the best, my toes would be fah-reezing in the cold if not for my uggs! Have a great day girl!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Honestly, this looks like so much fun! It sounds like the philosophy they have with their bread is how they are with their lives. Have fun this morning.
[email protected] says
Looks like you’re having some fun in Montana!
Amy says
You need tights or silk long underwear under your jeans!
I grew up in Connecticut and I remember the inside of my nose freezing. 🙂 Our hair would freeze at the bus stop too because we were too lazy to blow dry!
Jo @ Jo's Diet Journey says
I don’t know how you can walk around in that freezing weather – I should take a few tips from you and try it myself!
stacey-healthylife says
The exercise class sounds fun.
Felicity says
Seeing photos like the ones of the Montana landscape make me feel so happy to be alive!
Thank you!!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Ice crystals forming..haha…yes! I totally know that feeling. Or walking outside after taking a shower and having a solid head of hair. 😉
Everything is so beautiful in your pics!! I’m glad you guys are having fun! 😀
Donca says
Seems like a longer down coat would work wonders. I have a knee length one by the North face that keeps me well insulated.
The exercise class seems like it will be fun.
Meghann says
I’d suggest stockings or tights under your jeans – they don’t take up any room like long johns and really keep you warm – that’s what I do here in NYC where I have to walk everywhere all winter long.
Meaghan @ ohreillywrites says
I like the idea of getting a sample dessert plate to share! Buffets always mean big trouble for me because I want to try everything, but what you guys do seems like a great way to experience everything without going overboard.
[email protected] Sweet Life says
Beautiful photos. Do you know why GH is headquartered in Montana?
Kath says
It was founded here in Great Falls, MT
Kasey says
Love all the snow pics! The dinner looks delish!!
Samantha says
Just how many grain servings should we have in a day?
Kath says
Well the ADA would say 6 oz with half of them being whole
Heather says
I bet it was nice to have a “home cooked” meal!
Enjoy your exercise class!
Allison K. says
Awww. It’s nice to see decor from small town mountain west on your blog. Home sweet home!
Hope says
All of that food looks amazing!! I love all of the pictures. It looks beautiful where you are! Bundle up! It’s freezing!!!! 🙂
Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day says
that camo truck crackes me up.
Natalia - a side of simple says
Potluck dinners are always so fun because there’s such a variety (well, hopefully everone doesn’t bring a casserole!). Good luck with your early morning exercise class!
Allison @ Happy Tales says
I hope you entered into a nice, long (and warm) food coma when you got back to your MOtel… looks delicious!
Panda says
I like to wear a pair of warm leggings under jeans when I’m in an environment that is that cold. For me they’re more comfortable than long johns and easier to wear under women’s jeans. Might want to try that out for next time to keep your legs warm! 🙂
Jean says
I’m enjoying your adventure so much! This advice comes a little late for this trip…but take it from someone who lives in a frozen snot state, silk knee length or long underwear is worth it. It add no bulk but that little extra layer makes all the difference in the world.
MelanieF says
Yup, freezing temperatures are part of my days from November trought March. That’s the beauty of living in Eastern Canada.
allyson says
You need snow pants to keep your thighs warm. My mom just gave me mine from when I was 12! Def have had the nose hair freeze thing, feels weird. Being a lazy swimmer, I dont dry my hair, try that one, it freezes in an instant.