SEC T I ON T H R EE
“ I can only image the things those tall pines lining
the rink would say if they could talk. How many
secrets and stories have they absorbed?”
THE RIN K IN T H E P I N E S
Story and Photos by Matt Breuer
I
t’s early February in Minnesota. We’re between cold
snaps, so the snow is falling as hard as it can while
it has the chance. Once the temps drop below zero, the
snow stops. I’m unsure whether that’s true or not, but
it sure seems plausible. I’m staring out the window,
watching the snow fall, wondering if I’ll get the photos
I want to acquire of this little rink nestled in the tall
pines. I get a message saying, “It’s almost ready!” Boston
Smith, son of Chris and Julie Smith attended hockey
practice at 6am, went to school, ate supper, and still had
the energy and kindness to strap up his blades and skate
in circles with a shovel insuring that photos of their
family rink could be taken. This shouldn’t surprise you;
because there are two things we know in Minnesota…
how to be nice, and how to skate.
Chris and Julie Smith are like any other people that grew
up in Northern Minnesota. They both love the outdoors.
Fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, foraging,
stargazing, camping, bonf ires, bonspiels, skating… you
name it. In the summer you can f ind them outside,
working in the yard, chasing their chickens around, or
throwing the ball for Lucy, their German wirehaired
pointer. Julie loves to forage, especially blueberries.
In the fall, Chris and their daughter Greta chase deer
in the timber. Julie and Boston might be found hiking
down a forest road toting a small-bore shotgun, in case
they stumble across some grouse. Chris loves pheasant
hunting trips. The Smith family loves the outdoors and
everything it has to offer.
As fall crawls on, most parents know the sense of urgency
to f ill the freezer in preparation for winter. They also
know the feeling of trading life for their kids’ activities.
Chris and Julie spend their time with Greta in Show
Choir and Boston in hockey. Life becomes a little less
about the outdoors, and a little more about the routine.
But, there’s one thing that the Smith family can enjoy
with ease, and that’s a nice skate on their outdoor rink.
Every winter, Chris f loods an area that he cleared
specif ically for an outdoor rink. It has boards, nets,
bright lights, and even a warming bench next to a f ire
pit. You’ll f ind lots of pucks there, and spare sticks,
too. You can test your puck-handling skills by working
around the edges of the pines, or practice your slap-shot
against the large back-board behind the net. Or, you
can just skate. When life gets hectic, but the outdoors
calls, the Smith family can skate. They don’t have to
drive anywhere, they don’t have to pack, and they don’t
have to put on special gear. Julie stated that sometimes
they just run out for a quick game of boot hockey. This
frozen oasis in the pines allows the Smith family to cling
on to the outdoors during the long and hectic winters of
Minnesota.
The work they put into the rink each winter provides
them with a sense of pride, and accomplishment. The
kids learn about hard work turning into moments of
fun and laughter. Their hard work helps them create
memories. I can only image the things those tall pines
lining the rink would say if they could talk. How many
secrets and stories have they absorbed? How many
smiles are etched in their bark? For Chris, Julie, Greta
and Boston, they don’t need the vast wilderness around
them to get their outdoor f ix in the winter; they just
need their secret rink in the pines.
Volume 03 No. 01 | 2019
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