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I am lucky enough to get to see the sun rise in the winter time. I time it just right (of course that depends on my 2 and 4 year old boss’ morning moods) but just as I turn off of our dirt road to 225 I get to see this gorgeous sunrise almost every morning. Talk about pretty. My boys and I try to pick out all the vibrant colors everyday because there’s never two sunrises alike.  Colors ranging from oranges to pinks, blues and reds. There is something about a gorgeous sunrise that makes your heart and  smile and skip a beat.

This week’s trail report is spectacular!! The trails are looking great and we just got an inch or so of fresh powder to top them off. The groomers have been out in full force to make the trails nice and smooth for this weekend’s riders. We are suppose to get a few more inches over the weekend but temperatures are suppose to stay nice and warm. Well, warm for Minnesota   Get out this weekend and have a ton of fun riding.

PS – Don’t forget about the Park Rapids Fishing Derby. You could win a new truck, an ATV,  a new fish house or several other great prizes!!! Starts tomorrow (Saturday Feb. 6th, 2010) from 1:30 -3:oo on Fish Hook Lake. Call The American Legion for tickets 218-732-3360 or check them out on the web. www.parkrapidsfishingderby.com

OK, I know the Vikings lost, I’m still sad about it. Talk about close and we definitely should have won that game. But, what can we do about it now?? Nothing!! So I decided to stop crying in my soup and buck up. The Super Bowl is this Sunday and as Americans we need to support one of our biggest American past-times – FOOTBALL!! So suck up the loss, go out and buy a bag of Doritos,  a big pizza and find a place to watch the big game on Sunday. Have fun and while you are watching the game pray Brett Farve will be back next year and it will be us playing in the Super Bowl then:)

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It’s that time of year again!! This weekend is the 12th annual Park Rapids American Legion Fishing Derby. Like usual they have thousands of dollars in prizes including a brand new Ford truck and Fish house. It will be held on Fish Hook Lake this Saturday, February 6th from 1-3:30 with an awards ceremony to follow that evening. Tickets are $40 and you can purchase them from the Legion anytime from now until the derby kicks off.  For more information please log on to www.parkrapidsfishingderby.com or call 218-732-3360.  Have fun and good luck fishing!!!

Winter heating and electrical costs can add up quick. There are a few things that can do to save yourself a little green in  costs over the winter.

1. Turn your thermostat down when you’re away from the house or asleep. There is no need to keep the heat at normal temp when no one is there to enjoy it or when you are sound asleep under the warm covers.

2. Turn off all un-needed lights or appliances. We pay too much money for electricity we don’t really use. When you leave a room make sure you turn the TV or light off. If you enter a room for only a few minutes don’t bother turning the light on if it’s not needed. After you use the coffee pot in the morning or the toaster unplug it.

3.  Cover windows and doors that aren’t being used in the winter with plastic. This will reduce the loss of heat through those areas and keep it in your house.

4. If you are loosing lots of heat through your walls buy a few straw bales and put them against the outside walls of your house. This will add a little extra insulation to your foundation/walls.

5. Turn the temp down a few degrees and buy some throw blankets to cuddle up to or put a sweatshirt and flannel PJs on. I know husbands love flannel pj’s for their wives. Don’t disappoint them!!

6. Have your furnace serviced regularly. Keeping it tuned up and operating at optimal efficiency will save on propane, gas or wood. Whatever is used will be kept to a minimal.

7. Last of all be more conscience of your surroundings and unplug unused electrical items, turn off lights and turn down your furnace. Saving energy is saving your green (dollars)!!

Yeehaw!! The weather is set for great riding. The snowmobile club has been out with all of their groomers in full force this last week playing with the snow so we can play on it this weekend. Conditions are great and you better get those sleds tuned up to hit the trails tomorrow.  Don’t forget to stop in at the local stores along the way, say hello and let them know how your ride’s going. Northern Minnesota counts on the business of snowmobilers throughout the winter to keep them going. Snowmobiling wouldn’t be the same if there weren’t great stops to make along the way. So, get out there and support those businesses so they can keep us happy on the trails!

Happy riding and don’t forget to send those photos this way so I can post them for all to enjoy!! Kelsey@ParkRapidsBlog.com

Here they are according to the Realty Trac.

Top 10 states with the highest foreclosure rates in the third quarter of 2009. I would have guessed the top two but number 5 and 9 caught me by surprise.

1. Nevada

2. Arizona

3. California

4. Florida

5. Idaho

6. Utah

7. Georgia

8. Michigan

9. Colorado

10. Illinois

I know a ton of people who are hoping we get dumped on this weekend, myself included. I love snow, not the cold!! If it would be nice and white with temps in the teens for 6 months (that’s how long winter really lasts)  I would be in heaven!! I really have a hard time with 30 below. There aren’t very many people out there that enjoy it THAT cold.

This weekend is the annual SnoDeo Snowmobile Club dance at the Eagles. They always have a great band and prizes with a ton of raffles. If you’re not snowed in or iced out you better head there and kick up your heals. It’s this Saturday the 23rd, starting around 9 or so!! Always lots of action even if you don’t dance you can watch all that do and believe me there are some that should be spectators only!!!

Have a ton of FUN!!

I hate to report bad trail conditions but here it is – The trails are ride-able but there is not much snow left out there to enjoy or for the groomers to work with for the riders. I suspect the warm weather is going to melt away a lot of the little snow we have left and leave riding conditions worse off. Hopefully we will get some new snow in the next week so people can get out and ride, ride, ride!!!

I’ll let you know when that is. Have a great weekend and Think Snow!!

We caught a glimpse of this deer on our way home the other night and my son was so excited to go hunting. He told me that I didn’t have to set a plate for him or his dad for dinner until later because they were going to be hunting the big fat doe instead.

It was too cute but I had to break the news to him that it’s called poaching if you shoot them out of season and the cops don’t like that. He responded “we don’t want the cops to get mad at us, right.” It cracks me up that he is only 4 and refers to the police as “cops” and is a little nervous about them. He shouldn’t be they give him stickers, coloring books and pencils at the fair every year and we are law abiding people (we live too far in the sticks to cause any big trouble or at least too far out for anyone to know about it )

So here is Reed’s big fat doe that he’ll be after next season.