It’s currently February and we’re in the dead of winter in Appalachia. The mornings are bitterly cold until the sun comes up and the wind never seems to stop blowing. Sure we are all counting down the days to spring break at the beach but we shouldn’t be too quick to wish away the winter! Living in Boone is a blessing though we curse the days when going to class means braving negative degree wind-chill temperatures.
[Photo credit: Rob Styers – Retrieved from: booneview.com]
Reason #1: Fewer classes.
Class can be cancelled multiple times a week due to weather. When a big snow storm hits, morning classes are almost always cancelled. If you’re lucky, your afternoon professors will jump on the bandwagon and cancel those classes too leaving you with the perfect snow day! And the best part is that just because school is cancelled doesn’t mean the whole town shuts down either, which leads me to my next point…
Reason #2: Perfect conditions on the slopes.
With Appalachian Ski Mountain just a short drive away and Sugar and Beech Mountain a little bit further out, skiing and snowboarding has never been easier. Think about it, how many other schools do you know where the only class you attend in one day may be your skiing or snowboarding class?? The answer is not too many… Take advantage of your surroundings and learn a new hobby! Students get special rates on rentals and lift tickets so if you’ve been itching to try winter sports, now is definitely the time.
Reason #3: Hiking in the snow is fun.
Just because there’s a little (or a lot) of snow on the ground doesn’t mean that we have to stay indoors and pretend we hate being out in nature. Hiking in the winter through snow is actually more peaceful than you’d think. The outdoor world is just as beautiful clothed in a white blanket of snow and icicles as it is bursting with bright colors in the spring and fall. The wildlife you’d normally see on a hike through the Blue Ridge Mountains is completely different
Reason #4: Knit is never out of style.
Remember that sweater you found at your aunt’s house over winter break from the 90’s? It’s completely appropriate to wear around Boone and no one will look twice at you for it. Vintage sweaters and comfy knits are a staple in any App Girl’s wardrobe that will never go out of style and can be worn many different ways. Sometimes it’s tough remembering there are people who don’t actually think that snow boots, leggings, and an old sweater counts as a cute outfit.