The Michigan "West Coast" gets a lot of snow due to it's position right along the Lake. The winds coming from the west pick up moisture coming over the lake, and upon sensing different temperature above land, promptly dump it. This creates a lot of snow in Muskegon and the surrounding areas over the winter months.

Since the holidays ended the barrage of snow has been unceasing. Almost everyday we get more snow and there are constant "lake effect snow" advisories being broadcast in the media.

While the snow makes traveling perilous there are positive aspects as well. A variety of winter sports are possible, and what a better place to investigate them, than from the Winter Sports Complex in Muskegon. Part of the State Park the Sports Complex has facilities for cross country skiing, skating, hockey, luge, and snowshoeing.

On Saturday we decided to head out and arrived not knowing which sport we might want to dive head-first into. After casing out the options, we decided on snow shoeing. The biggest factor in making this choice is the independence snow shoes give, a big plus when out in the woods with Sarah. She likes to go where no woman has gone before.

We got off to a rather unauspicious start. Sarah, believing that snow shoes conferred a magical power to stay above the snow, stepped confidently onto a big drift, and looked surprised when she promptly sank to the bottom of the drift. After that we got the idea there must be some technique that must be mastered before snow shoeing properly and so we gingerly practiced walking in circles just off the path.

After we gained some confidence we set out and enjoyed two hours of going up and down the lakeshore. We generally stayed away from the actual shore, as it was much warmer when sheltered by the first dune against the shore. But we did manage to get to the top of a few dunes and the views were great. While Dutch painters are famous for their blues, Michigan painters must have to master the gray of the Michigan winter skies. Far from being boring though, the grays were very subtle as they moved from light to dark in the sky.

After two hours we made our way back to the lodge, and then to our apartment to bask in that feeling that only comes after having exerted yourselves outdoors on a cold winter day. Ahh!!