The Daycare Rope Heist and the Bar Crawl That Almost Ended Us

Gina, Me, and Mindy

My time at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota, was marked by a distinct and immersive atmosphere, largely due to the requirement that every traditional student reside in the dormitories throughout the entirety of their four-year education. This mandate cultivated a tight-knit campus community, where lifelong friendships blossomed and student life extended far beyond academic pursuits. The experience of dormitory living combined excitement, camaraderie, and self-discovery, with each day offering new adventures filled with playful pranks, spirited events, and boundary-testing moments. The energy of dorm life was palpable as my friends and I shared late-night escapades – from innocent tricks like swapping a roommate’s belongings or disconnecting the receiver of a rotary phone, to vibrant social gatherings that led to memorable weekends. Within the walls of Corby Hall, a delicate balance existed between bending rules and embracing responsibility, with whispers of minor rebellions that instilled a feeling of freedom and defiance. Participation in lively intramural sports, themed dorm parties, and study groups that effortlessly turned into impromptu karaoke sessions made dorm life a vivid and unforgettable phase of my youth – where friendships were strengthened, identities forged, and the exhilaration of newfound independence blended with the warmth of communal living.

One unforgettable January day during a fierce blizzard, MMC made the rare decision to call off all classes, transforming the campus into a quiet, snow-covered haven. Overnight, the storm had dumped several feet of snow, which created a dazzling winter scene, while biting winds swept through and visibility dropped to mere feet. Rather than staying inside, my friends and I bundled up in layers, donning colorful scarves, gloves, and hats, and ventured outside to embrace the wintry magic. Spontaneous snowball fights broke out in the common area, filled with laughter and lively cheers, as makeshift snowmen and snow angels appeared across the white expanse before Corby Hall. Later, we warmed up in the dorm’s cozy confines with steaming cups of hot chocolate. As we talked, a reckless and daring idea took shape!

Lisa suddenly remembered that the basement daycare had a walking rope – a long, durable device meant to keep kids safely connected while crossing the campus. With a mischievous grin, she recognized that this overlooked item would be an ideal tool for a blizzard bar crawl. By fastening the rope, our group could become a whimsical, unified parade, bound together as we made our way from one chilly bar to another. The vision of us all linked by a colorful rope, warmly dressed against the cold, laughing through snow and slushy roads, transformed this unexpected day off into an exciting day full of possibilities!

After carefully redonning our snow gear, zipping up insulated jackets and tightening gloves, we rushed downstairs and spotted the preschool walking rope dangling by the door – a whimsical reminder of childhood order and safety amidst our chaotic plans. With laughter bubbling up, we realized that before embarking on our adventurous bar crawl through the snowy streets, we’d need to reclaim a bit of that childhood discipline, holding tight like kids on their first outing. The contrast was hilarious: here we were, a group of college students prepared for a night of spirited fun, suddenly united by a brightly colored rope that promised to keep us together through the cold night, guiding us safely from one bar to the next as the blizzard raged around us. This unexpected touch of nostalgia added a playful charm to our evening as we naively left the safety of Corby to begin our adventure.

With the sturdy rope linking us, we embarked on the demanding mile-long trek through the howling blizzard, carefully pacing our steps against the biting wind and swirling snow. The rope not only kept us physically connected but also strengthened our resolve as we faced near-white-out conditions, each gust challenging our reckless determination. Our goal – the cozy warmth of the first bar on 4th Street – shone like a welcoming beacon amidst the frozen surroundings. The journey mixed youthful folly with endurance but sharing this harsh experience forged a special bond among us. Though our fingers went numb and the wind tugged relentlessly at our jackets, the thought of boasting about our exploits to the girls back at Corby Hall kept us pressing forward toward our destination.

After tirelessly battling the relentless, blinding snow for over an hour, we finally caught sight of a neon bar sign flickering through the swirling white mist, serving as a beacon of warmth and hope. Its bright glow pierced the icy darkness, guiding us toward civilization like moths drawn to a flame. We were utterly exhausted and frozen to the bone as we stumbled through knee-deep snow toward the entrance. When we pushed open the heavy door, a rush of warmth accompanied by the soft murmur of laughter and music enveloped us, instantly dissolving the cold and weariness. Inside, the snug, dimly lit space offered refuge and comfort, giving us a chance to thaw, recharge, and exchange stories of our snowy journey over tall glasses of beer and lively conversation.

Our arrival caught Kozy’s attention as he glanced up from the bar, surprise flickering across his face—no one had anticipated a group of college students braving the unforgiving blizzard to reach his welcoming haven. Though the icy cold had numbed our fingers and cheeks, the bar’s warmth embraced us like a cozy blanket. Noticing our snow-speckled clothes and frost-bitten smiles, Kozy let out a chuckle before sliding a complimentary round of shots across the counter, kindly offering to warm us up. After downing the shots, we grabbed pitchers of beer and settled at a table among the few other patrons.

After finishing our drinks, we gathered our coats, eager to continue our bar crawl. However, as the blizzard outside intensified, Yankton closed for the night. One by one, the bars we planned to visit began closing their doors early, bracing against the fierce winter storm still raging through the streets.  With the fierce wind and heavy snowdrifts, continuing our outing became not only unfeasible but also quite dangerous. Although we felt let down, we found solace in the cozy warmth of Kozy's Bar, where we ordered another round and settled in to wait out the storm.

By the time Kozy announced the bar was closing, we were already quite tipsy. Despite the blizzard pounding outside, he kindly offered us a ride home, his warmth and generosity shining through the cold storm. We climbed into the back of his rugged pickup truck, where the headlights barely cut through the blizzard’s whiteout. Kozy lowered the blade attached to the front and pushed forward into the deep snow. With roads almost completely obscured, every turn demanded careful skill as Kozy navigated through the storm. Huddled in the back of the truck, we trusted Kozy’s confident hands on the wheel and his well-honed Midwestern driving skills to get us to campus safely.

Fortunately, we made it safely and stepped out of the truck onto the well-known snow-covered paths of campus. After expressing our gratitude to Kozy for the lift, we noticed the blizzard easing up around us, almost as if it were softly bidding us goodbye after our adventurous journey. The walking rope, no worse for wear other than being crusted with snow, still connected us – a childhood tool that had seen us safely through the storm. Back inside Corby Hall, we shed our damp layers, hearts still pounding with adrenaline and faces glowing with warmth from the night’s shared moments.

Lounging in the common room, we recounted the night's escapades to anyone still awake to listen, each story punctuated with laughter and the occasional shiver from the lingering cold. That blizzard day and night would forever be etched in my memory – not just for the daring bar crawl or the fierce storm we conquered, but for the irrepressible spirit of friendship that kept us bound together, much like the rope that led us on our unforgettable journey. And as sleep finally tugged at my eyelids, I knew that no matter where life took me after college, the magic of that snowy night would always remind me how even the wildest storms bring people closer in the most unexpected ways.