Instagram Travel Thursday: Winter
It’s only February but I have already grown quite weary of winter. We have had more than our fair share of brutally cold temperatures and Mother Nature seems to be making up for lost time lately – dumping all the snow on us that we didn’t get earlier in the winter. Thoughts of embracing winter have all but disappeared.
Compounding my misery earlier this week, during a major snowstorm no less, the groundhog had the nerve to predict six more weeks of winter. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Groundhog Day celebrated in North America on February 2nd this is the gist of it. If the groundhog exits his den and sees his shadow then he is frightened and runs back into his den thus predicting six more weeks of winter and if he doesn’t see his shadow…then we are still likely to get six more weeks of winter although it’s said to mean an early spring.
Given my state of mind, I thought that I could use a reminder that winter can be both beautiful and fun. To that end I am sharing some of my favourite winter Instagram shots for Instagram Travel Thursday.
Winter can be beautiful even at it’s most destructive. These photos were taken in the Toronto area during the aftermath of an ice storm in December 2013 that caused widespread damage and power outages lasting several days and much longer for some people.
Québec City is nothing short of magical when covered by a blanket of freshly-fallen snow. This is the winter that people dream of experiencing.
As long as you are dressed for it, winter can also be a whole lot of fun! Whether it be dogsledding in Montebello, Québec…
Sleigh rides in our hometown…
A snow bath at the Québec Carnival…
Or playing in freshly fallen snow…
And I’m going to continue reminding myself of this for the next two months until the flowers start popping out of the ground sometime in early April!
Reeta @houseofanais
Such pretty winter images Lisa, we’ve only had the snow stay for a few hours at a time. really missing proper snow now!
jenny@atasteoftravel
I love your winter photos! Coming from a state where we do not receive any snow, they make me want to spend a winter in the snow though I’m sure the cold would get to me after only a short while!
Leigh Powell Hines
I just adore that photo of the one and the snow with red doors. I think it’s beautiful.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Leigh!!
Lisa Goodmurphy
We didn’t have much snow until the end of January and now it keeps on coming!
Lisa Goodmurphy
You would love Québec, Kymri – especially in winter!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I think I could get used to not having snow – at least for a time! The snow is fun when it’s not too cold – and provided that we don’t have to drive anywhere!
Yashy Murphy
You and I are exactly on the same page this winter! funny enough I went through your IG feed to remind myself winter is beautiful!! .. that was before I read this post!
Sophie @ Sophie''s World
I’ve never been in Canada in winter. It looks so pretty and picturesque, especially Quebec.
Leigh
You should move to Calgary We’ve actually had a really nice winter – even though I’m in Florida right now with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures – all as an excuse to check on my mother-in-law.
You can do it Lisa. Two months is nothing – and isn’t there a trip for March break planned?
Mirje / Anywhereism
Such pretty scenes! I tend to escape winter, but these pics made me remember the parts of winter I like. Give me a nice, clear day, with temps just below freezing and plenty of snow around, and I’ll take it over a beach vacation 🙂
Marisol@TravelingSolemates
Hi Lisa, I can relate to your laments this winter. We’re in deep freeze in NY as I write. But I agree, setting freeze and storm aside, winter can beautiful and fun. I enjoyed your fun Instagrams photos. Some came as surprise like that Snow Bath in Quebec festival. I admire those brave souls. And oh, the dogsledding! I’d love to do that myself someday. I hope you did it again for your birthday. I’m so charmed by that photo in vRue Petit Champlain in Quebec. Thanks for sharing.
Freya
I didn’t see any snow this winter, so I would love to be in Canada right now. But I can understand enough is enough. Great snow shots.
Marcia
Hey Lisa, I love the photos of Emma and the bikini-clad ladies at the festival, so playful. When winter last so long, we might as well make the best of it, right?
Your other snowy shots remind me of Christmas cards we used to receive from relatives and friends in NA and Europe. With tropical temperatures my only frame of reference then, snow was an alien idea, cold an unimaginable concept.
Being in the NE now, I share your exhaustion with winter. I’m not sure how the totals compare to last year, but we’ve been getting a lot of snow here in NYC. Granted, we didn’t get the 2 feet that was predicted in the first major snowfall last month but we’ve gotten more than that already since then. Anyway, spring will be here soon!