Recently, Washington Post journalist Christopher Ingraham published an article, ranking every county in America by scenery and climate. According to this survey conducted by the USDA, Minnesota was ranked one of the ugliest states in America. The contributing factors that were taken into consideration were: six measures of climate, topography - being the arrangement of natural and physical features of the land - and water area that reflect environmental qualities most people prefer.
According to the USDA, the best counties have mild, sunny winters, temperate summers, low humidity, topographic variation, and access to a body of water. This is all fine and good. Minnesota was not ranked high, but those who live there manage to survive each and every season just fine. However, the trouble arose when Ingraham pointed out that the worst place in the entire nation to live was Red Lake County, located in the northwestern corner of the state. Being a proud Minnesotan, I thought there were some issues with the study. After all, I mean, you don't rank a girl’s beauty solely based on climate control, so why should you rank a state based only on these parameters.
There were quite a few of my fellow Minnesotans who were also up in arms about this ranking one even started a twitter campaign titled #ShowYourCounties. This hashtag allowed people to tweet different pictures of Minnesota that they found to be beautiful. The pictures often showed the beautiful different climates and temperatures and all the different ranges of beauty that the weather gives us in this beautiful state. Shortly after this online uproar, Ingraham retracted his statement and printed a response article. In the response article, Ingraham said Minnesotans have thin skins. Minnesota Senator Al Franken joined the fight on Twitter, too, adding, "Thanks for the follow-up @washingtonpost. But I must quibble with your headline about Minnesotans having thin skin..." I, like Senator Franken, see that there is a problem with calling Minnesotans thin-skinned. If we are so thin-skinned, why do Minnesotan parents stand outside for hours watching their kids' ski races in below-freezing temperatures?
Despite the sometimes not opportune climate, Minnesota has so much beauty hidden within it. So I challenge Ingraham, and everyone at the Washington Post, to please tell me that this state has no beauty within it. As it stands right now, I see the beauty of the summer all around around me.
As I look to the #lakelyfe lifestyle, I see all of the different angles and ways that this state can be beautiful.
As the leaves begin to change colors and fall off the tree, I see the beauty of my dog playing in a pile of vibrant leaves.
Or what could be better than an apple orchard telling you how tall you are every single fall.
Then as the snow falls, I see the beauty of Minnesota's winters, while standing outside and watching a long day of alpine ski races out at Buck Hill.
Who could forget the beauty of the Eden Prairie Ice Castles that left visitors in awe at the immaculate creation?
Once spring time breaks through the bitter cold winter, I see the sky light up with dozens of different colors. These colors paint a beautiful picture in the sky.
Even on the rainiest of days, I still see the beauty that the state has.
Then back to summer, where the Minneapolis skyline never sleeps with the help of the Gold Medal Flour sign.
