I had attended a conference, aka was volunteering to present at Hike Fest in 2018. I purchased a silent auction item, excited about the orange canvas backpack and what goodies may lie within. One of those was a ticket for a couple night's stay at Bluefin Bay. The date to use the coupon was nigh approaching. I decided to treat myself for my birthday and go snowboarding at Lutsen, something I'd wanted to try for awhile. Upon arrival, I dropped all my gear in the living room and stepped out back. Lake Superior was a winter wonderland. So I donned all of my cold weather gear, and post-holed it down to the lake. The moody sky, chilling wind, sheets of ice washed up in piles...I almost never made it to the ski resort.