Within 48 hours of arriving, the landscape transformed overnight.

The temperature plunged by ten degrees, and by morning we woke to find more than a foot and a half of snow blanketing the town like a fresh canvas. The once-muted streets were now hushed under a thick layer of white, every sound softened, every shadow sharpened.

There was still so much to see and do, but the roads had turned into skating rinks, and visibility was poor. Stay inside? Not a chance.

What was once a 25‑minute drive into town became a slow 45‑minute crawl—but that slower pace let me take in the massive site in an entirely new way. I wasn’t prepared with much winter gear, but I made the best of it. The town truly felt frozen in time.

Winter exploring carries its own magic. I’ve done my fair share of it—each trip bringing new challenges and fresh perspectives to capture. The cold demands more of you; every step through deep snow burns energy, and even standing still can feel like work. But the payoff is always worth it.