Walking in Grand Forks (in January)

Grand Forks at sunrise. Temperature: -2 F

Winter in North Dakota means that it is cold. But when local complain about how ridiculously cold it is, then you know that it is really cold. I arrived for my first visit to the state, late one Thursday night in mid-January. Upon landing, I turned on my smartphone and anxiously waited to see the current temperature: -22˚F, with a wind chill of -38˚. Yet, the impulse to walk and explore remains. After a number of substantial snowstorms in Grand Forks, meant that walking was a process of navigating a maze of paths cut through piles of snow and drifts. The sun does not get very high in the sky creating long shadows, even around lunchtime. Melting is not a significant factor. Thus, while it is cold, you do not get wet. Dressed appropriately, I was comfortable most of the time. But the wind did make for some cold moments. The sun shone for much of the long weekend, thus the walker has a choice of walking in the sun, which provides a limited source of warmth, or walking in the shadows of buildings, which provides a break against the wind.  

The Red River,: The border between North Dakota and
Minnesota

The snow piles, sometimes fifteen to twenty feet high, are a concern for a pedestrian. It is doubtful local drivers are accustomed to seeing walkers out during the winter. Additionally, the size of the snow piles and drifts can obscure many walkers. That being said, I found the local drivers to be very polite and considerate. Still, it could be hard for drivers to see the rare walker who braves sub-zero weather by choice, or necessity. Several drivers kindly waved me across the road, allowing plenty of distance while I crossed. Many were seemingly sympathetic to anyone who has to be out in these temperatures. Nevertheless, sidewalks and paths are not always clear and the walker must occasionally choose a path in the road or knee-deep snow on the sidewalks.

Of course, the extreme cold, and walks on mildly treacherous sidewalks, gave me a voracious appetite. Yet, the local cuisine is largely built upon a meat and starch culture. When I mentioned that to Andrew, he replied, jokingly, “What gives you that idea?” I told him that there was, literally, specks of carrots in my chicken fried rice, which I am pretty sure was there for decoration rather than subsistence.

The Hazards of Walking

While I was walking on West Gorrie Drive, there was a car approaching straddling the yellow line in the middle of the road. It is customary on the island to acknowledge one another, whether on foot, bike, or motorized vehicle, but since the car was more than a block away this seemed a bit over the top. People in automobiles are seemingly more sensitive to pedestrians because it is a resort area and there is a noticeable lack of sidewalks. I have observed that most drivers take care to give walkers (and joggers) plenty of room and overtly signal that there are aware of the pedestrian’s presence. The standard procedure is for walkers to acknowledge drivers for their consideration. I usually provide a polite wave and, in return, the driver provides a similar response. Most drivers return the wave, but some just raise an index finger while they grip the steering wheel.

The car in question was giving me a great deal of leeway as it approached. As it approached I raised my hand as a gesture of gratitude; however, the driver did not even look at me. It soon became apparent what was going on. The driver was completely oblivious to my acknowledgement of thanks because she was preoccupied with other things. Her forearms were resting on the steering wheel as she typed out a message on her pink smartphone. What I thought was a kind gesture had nothing to do with me. As far as I could tell, she did not even know I existed.