'Woodpile' Warming Hut

Louis Riel Day... Sam and Simmy headed out to see what was happening on the river. When they got to their frozen destination, it was packed with sporty individuals.

Skating, tobogganing,... cycling?

Every sport was happening.

Nobody was in a hurry.

People walking...

People talking...

People skating...

People sipping hot chocolate...

People smiling...

People laughing...

Sam and Simmy fetched their picnic lunch and went to the uber cool warming hut that was sitting on the ice, (Assiniboine River), for everyone's enjoyment. It was a submission, in the 'Warming Huts' Art + Architecture Competition on Ice, by Noa Biran and Roy Talman.
"Let's see if it's good for our picnic lunch," Sam said.
They had heated some pea soup and put it into an old sealer and then wrapped it in a blanket to transport it from their home to The Forks.
"Is the soup still warm?" Sam asked.
"Yes, it's still good," Simmy said as she held up a bowl for Sam to fill.
She set the bowl down on the little metal ledge where the logs were burning. Then, she held up the other bowl.

When the coffee had been poured into the mason jar... Simmy picked up her bowl.
"Oh, be careful Sam, this metal ledge heated the bowl and it's quite hot on the side next to the flames. Hey, I'll just put my coffee on there to get it good and hot... handle away from the flame. Perfect!"
As they ate, people would come towards the shelter and seemed to feel like they were imposing when they saw the picnic lunch experience.
Simmy laughed when people apologized. Then she quickly invited, "Come on in! It's for everyone."
She was kind of sorry she hadn't brought a big plateful of cookies to share as person after person came to enjoy the 'warm- up shack,' as Simmy called it.

It was one of those experimental things that just needs to be put to the full test of experience. It was rather quaint that people treated them like the hut owners when they ate their pea soup lunch... almost like the 'elements of home' that they had brought with them served to imply some sort of squatter rights.
They had kept their lunch deliberately simple but it was also perfect in the choice of dishes. Styrofoam or plastic would have melted on the metal ledge but the glass and ceramic were ideal to reheat their lunch to belly- warming temperature.
One couple finished their cigarettes and the pretty woman smiled as they exited the hut and said, "Bye!" It was the kind of moment that happens when you have people into your home for dinner and then, after some mellow conversation... your guests take their leave, emotionally and physically replete.

They finished the hot steaming coffee and then left the hut so others could enjoy a little Alpine experience.
Sam picked up the picnic basket and they walked back down the frozen river path...

Simmy sighed with contentment.

Sam dodged the pink and blue ice inukshuks as he made his way across the ice.

"Ah yes, picnics are so...
romantic."