Most people start dreaming of sunny destinations when Mother Nature hits us with a cold spell in the dead of winter. I used to be one of them. I was constantly looking at last minute deals. Sometimes, I would even make it on the plane and enjoy a few days of "summer" down south in the middle of the blistering snow. But something's happened the last couple of years. I no longer hear the Caribbean beaches calling my name. Instead I hear the beckoning from our Great White North. I don't want to forego the snow storms, below freezing temps and wind chills. I want to enjoy our Canadian winters. I want to throw on a parka and a toque, some good ole winter boots and I want to embrace it all. So, on one of the coldest weekends of the season, with temperatures hovering around -37 with the windchill, we hopped in the car and headed up north. Stepping out of the car at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville ON felt so invigorating. There's something different about the air up there. It felt so crisp and fresh and even though it was so damn cold, we were happy to be there and couldn't wait to start exploring. Not surprisingly, the kids LOVED the winter tubing run - we were there at least 3 times over the course of the weekend. We would make it a family affair by tying the tubes to each other and careening down the hill family style. We took the kids snow shoeing for the first time. The older two raced up ahead. They got tired of waiting around for us to lace up the little one's snowshoes over and over again. They were anxious to reach the top of the trail. I don't blame them. Those breathtaking views were worth the 45 minute trek. The view of the resort from Lookout Point was spectacular - a lovely snapshot of a little piece of Northern Ontario. Winter can be bitter and cold and an excuse to hibernate in our homes until the deep freeze begins to thaw sometime around March. Or It can be embraced and enjoyed and loved for all the beauty it provides. I choose the latter.