Last week, the city of Grand Rapids and its surrounding communities accumulated over nine inches of snowfall, which resulted in many schools and institutions closing, including Grand Valley State University. GVSU went remote from Tuesday, Jan. 21 to Thursday, Jan. 23. Despite the blustery weather, students and locals found creative ways to embrace the snowy days off, including sledding at local parks and curling up on the couch to watch movies.
Cadence Osborn, a GVSU student, said that over the remote days, she was able to prioritize herself better and make connections with old friends while unwinding from the stress of the semester.
“(When) all the snow days hit, I had so much more time,” Osborn said. “I got to hang out with people a lot longer, which was lit. I don’t get to see anybody (usually) because I’m so busy with school or work, and it was nice to (have) extra time with all of them.”
Osborn took advantage of the snow days to go sledding at a local park in Walker with friends.
“The roads were so bad, but I was with one of my friends, and I said, ‘At least if we go in a ditch, we won’t be alone,’” Osborn said. “We (were) all geared up and in (it) together.”
Osborn said the enjoyment of the childhood activity was worth braving the winter roads and the hills they trekked up repeatedly.
“It was so wild because I hadn’t gone (sledding) in so long,” Osborn said. “It’s something that I forgot was so much fun.”
Osborn said the activity was worth the cold, although she feels sore from climbing the hill multiple times, which made her feel old.
Other GVSU students elected to stay inside instead of facing the icy conditions.
“I like watching movies,” said GVSU student Vanessa Hewitt. “It’s one of my hobbies. With the spare time, I was able to (embrace) that hobby.”
Hewitt spent her snowy days cozy inside, watching classic movies with friends. She added that remote learning can make her feel less productive, and that creative outlets help to keep her engaged.
“I’ve seen that TikTok trend where you make animals (out of) air dry clay, and you make (them into) clay magnets,” Hewitt said. “I was thinking about doing that with my roommates.”
Despite the intense weather, downtown Grand Rapids was busier than ever with its winter activities and events. The ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle offers open skating to people of all ages, an activity that both Osborn and Hewitt said they hope to take advantage of this winter season.
“I wanted to go ice skating this weekend (but) I fell so many times sledding, and I don’t know how to ice skate,” Osborn said.
Other winter activities to take advantage of downtown are the food trucks parked along Monroe Center Street that help keep cold temperatures bearable and the free curling rinks in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Outdoor art exhibits are displayed for locals to enjoy while waiting their turn to skate or curl.
