This year we spent Valentine’s Day in one of the coldest places Brett and I have ever been, Bemidji Minnesota! We got really lucky too, it’s usually negative 20 degrees with intensely cold wind chill. It got as high as 27 degrees during our stay, which we were told was unseasonably warm! I have to say that I have never loved my North Face jacket more than on this trip. It kept me nice and toasty. Well, it and the other 5 layers I had on. The reason for our adventure to Bemidji at this time of year, was to attend and Photograph our friends’ Tracy and Jake’s Wedding(Pictures coming soon). Tracy and I have known one another from the age 5, so it was truly one of the most touching moments of my life to be at my long time best-friend’s wedding capturing her most precious moments. And I have to say you know it’s a good wedding when everyone is still on the dance floor at 1 am and even the DJ is rocking out and singing along.
Brett and I made new friends on this trip (whom we already miss and cant wait to see again) two of which we stayed with, Leah and Troy. We invaded their home for the weekend, leaving our mass amounts of camera gear all over their upstairs bedroom, playing with their wonderful dogs Joe and Thor, wandering around aimlessly taking pictures of all their horses, and my personal favorite Troy taking us on Mr.Toads wild ride in the front yard, getting the truck stuck in the snowbank and then when we thought all was lost, getting it unstuck. Leah and Troy were the most amazing hosts. There was even home made lasagna and garlic bread when we arrived after our 2 hour drive from Fargo. Leah your amazing!
After all that Leah and Troy had already done for us over the weekend, Leah made my Valentine’s Day perfect by hooking up her 2 draft horses and taking us all out on a sleigh ride through the snow filled woods on their property. And I have to say Tracy put it perfectly when she described our ride in the woods as reminding her of something out of “The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe”. I was expecting to spot a lone lamp post at any moment.
Here are some pictures from our amazing Valentine’s Day sleigh ride!
The horses totally snuck a snack before getting all geared up
Brett caught me making friends
I love the effect the wind had in this picture kicking up the snow. Although at the time I have to say that I was not a big fan of the bone chilling gusts of wind.
Desi and Amanda looking all cute and bundle.
Leah is ready! Lets not keep her waiting.
Tracy and I
Off we go!
Tracy’s horse Kara wanted to come with us. She troted along side the sleigh until she ran out of fence
Leah’s dog Joe
Joe jumped off the sleigh not realizing how deep the snow was, and immediately tired to get back on. It took him a few tries.
Then Jake jumped off.
So we decided it was a good time to stop and make snow angels
Brett totally missed me making my snow angel! And it was a really good one, you’ll just have to take my word for it.
I love my Fargo hat!
The end to a great sleigh ride.
Thank you, Tracy, Jake, Leah and Troy for a weekend we will never forget. We cant wait to come back and visit with you in the fall!
