This was the first true spring weekend here in Michigan, and it seems like the whole state was outside.
See, I’m not used to eternal winters. I’m used to four seasons. I grew up on the East Coast (northern N.J.) and went to college/grad school in D.C. In both places, each season is about four months long, and the winters are harsh, but not always terrible; the summers hot, but not always brutal.
Now I live in Michigan, where our first snowfall came in October and we just had our last dusting just two weeks ago — in April. Um, yea. Let me tell you, for as much as I dislike half a year of winter, my Salvadoran husband really doesn’t dig it!)
In our three years of living here, I think it’s safe to say that we have a loooooooooooooooooong winter, a flirt with spring, a hot summer, a rendezvous with fall (bursting colors, quite gorgeous) — and then winter comes … covering the leaves before they’ve all fallen off the trees … And we repeat.
This weekend was the first really gorgeous, seasonable weekend, and it felt great. My husband and I went biking Friday after work and then I went again on my own on Saturday.
Both times, the trail behind our house was PACKED with teenagers walking their dogs, parents pushing strollers, kids on bikes, joggers, walkers, roller-bladers … everyone, it seemed, was out embracing the warm air and sunshine.
And while the traffic made for some tough maneuvering, it was wonderful to see so many people out enjoying physical activity together.
When you live somewhere where the gloomy weather can impact mood so dramatically, it’s a beautiful change of pace to feel aglow, alive, when that sun peeks through the clouds and spreads warmth over your skin.
We love it here, but we really love it when we’re all out of hibernation. I know I feel better when I can move outside more, even if it’s just mowing the lawn — anything to get fresh air.
Plus, we all need our vitamin D, especially those of us living in the Midwest and Northeast. Whatever you do outside, just please don’t forget sunscreen…
UPDATE: I ordered P90X — it will be here in 5-7 days! Hope I like it. 🙂
How about you? How did you enjoy the spring weather this weekend?
Let There Be Light 
I don’t live where we get intense winters, but I do feel the effects of dreary weather, so I can imagine it’s even worse when you have weather like that. SO glad spring has sprung for you!! 🙂
Thanks, Jenn — ME TOO. Though it’s going to be raining all week … oh well!
nyc went through a similar winter this year. everyone was outside this weekend as well and it felt so right and good. Sun just transforms people and their moods.
Sun DOES do that, for sure!
I’m in Indiana, so I feel ya! But we don’t quite get the snow that you do. It’s still no fun…I can deal with winter in November and December, but by March? I’m done and ready to whip out the flip flops. 🙂
Amen. We see snow from Oct-April … snow expected tonight, in fact — flurries. It’s cold enough … ugh! Going to Mexico in March was suuuuch a tease!
oh girl…across the midwest way in MN. it was a long slow winter! yesterday and today rainy and cold but its almost done. friday robins were in our fountain and i was out all thursday and friday painting my planter boxes and digging dirt for my veggie garden. if i get any squash success this year…i’ll send ya some! 🙂
Robins! I love when the birds come out to play. LOL, I’d love it 🙂