The start of my 2015 is pretty subdued as I have been enjoying a slower pace in South Dakota over the holidays. We spent New Year’s Eve playing cards, eating a crock pot meal, and watching television. The slowest New Year’s Eve I spent in a long time. I won’t lie – it made me antsy, however it’s really nice to slow down.
Truth be told, there are very few distractions on my family’s farm in the middle of the winter. The wind howls across the prairie and most mornings I wake up and it’s below zero – it’s good motivation to keep me focused on my work rather than daydreaming about being outside.
However I have had a few moments where I had cabin fever and I bundled up every part of my body, put on my boots, grabbed my camera, and went out on my parent’s property to get some photos. I have seen some of the most beautiful sunsets in South Dakota – it is a state with wide open space, long shadows, golden glows that light up a sky that never seems to end. It even warmed up enough for me to go running outside on the 1st of January – helping me fulfill one of my ‘goals’ for the year.
Sunset in cold snowy #southdakota . Taken in my parent’s field while I could barely feel my fingers! #HifromSD
Tree shadows in #southdakota
I received a Lokai bracelet for Christmas. The white bead has water from Mt. Everest inside because sometimes you are on top of the world, and the black bead has mud from the Dead Sea inside it because sometimes you’ve hit a low. The bracelet is to remind you to stay humble and stay hopeful and find your balance. http://mylokai.com/shop/lokai-bracelet-clear.html
Dusk captured at the farm between the stark branches. #HifromSD
For as long as I can remember my parents having been hanging clothes on the line even when it’s -5F out. It’s kind of like freeze drying I guess.
Woke up and it’s -4 F here in South Dakota. The sun doesn’t stand a chance today.
First run of the year. Start it off right!
Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcasetobackpack.com, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice.
Additionally, she runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat adventures at Ottsworld.com.com.
