Obviously, the frequency of my posts has severely declined over the past month or so. I wish I had a legitimate reason. I can only say the harsh, Michigan winter severely crippled my ability to provide you with interesting outdoor musings. I know that's a marginal excuse, at best. But, several days of above-average temperatures and the return of the spring peepers has me once again thinking about the great out-of-doors. It also has kicked me in the behind to resume posting several times a week.
First, I want to reflect on the winter of 2008/2009. According to the National Weather Service, 2008 was the snowiest calender year in Michigan since records began being kept back in 1880. 82.6 inches of the white stuff was measured in Detroit between January 1st and December 31st. Saginaw, Michigan saw 102.5 inches; Flint, Michigan received 98.3 inches. While 2009 doesn't look to set any major records, the NWS office in Gaylord, Michigan says 30 inches of snow fell in Gaylord, Michigan in January--making it the 11th snowiest January on record since 1916. In other words....Michigan residents have been doing a lot of shoveling over the past year. The numbers are equally staggering for Cleveland, Indianapolis, Chicago and the rest of the Midwest.
It's funny how exciting that first major snowfall of the season is. Autumn is long over and we begin getting into the mindset that the ground will soon be covered in a blanket of white. The first time it happens, it's pretty. Serene. Seasonal. We start getting into the holiday spirit and hope that more snow will fall. Once Thanksgiving rolls around, we've accepted the fact that Mother Nature could dump 10 to 12 inches on us at any time. And, that's alright. Heck, Christmas is just around the corner. The kids seem to enjoy it. Driving in it isn't as bad as you remember. It makes everone's yard look so nice! Then December 25th arrives and we thank Old Man Winter for providing us with a 'white Christmas'. "It's like a Rockwell painting!", we often say. By New Years Eve, snow becomes an annoyance; a roadblock to getting to work on time or finding daycare for the kids when schools shut-down for days at a time. Curse you! white stuff!!!
That's how I've been feeling since January. Nearly three months of shaking my fist at the sky and longing for the green to return to the trees in my yard. I try to fool myself into thinking it's not so bad---I bundle-up and take five-mile hikes on the weekends. I thumb through back issues of Backpacker Magazine, dreaming of where the trail might take me once the weather breaks. But, I'm always jolted back to reality when my wife gets stuck in the driveway and I have to shovel in front of the barn just to get my tractor
out so I can plow. You may remember an earlier post where I flaunted my new Massey Ferguson tractor and bragged about how I was "ready for winter!" and "couldn't wait to plow, plow, plow!". Well, it got old. Fast. My tractor certainly did the job without complaints. In fact, I'm about ready to reward her with a fresh oil bath once the weather breaks for good. But that doesn't matter now. What matters is the return of warm. The return of sunshine. The return of my piece of mind.
What do they call that winter-time affliction? Seasonal Affective Disorder? Consider me afflicted. I can't recall a time I've been so sick with it. Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's the realization that I never liked winter, I only tolerated it. I do know that even during the coldest days of January, I always felt better if the sun was shining. It somehow felt warmer. Is that a bud on that tree?!?! Nope. It's just the sun and it'll be gone tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day.....
Yesterday it was 69 degrees in mid-Michigan. Nearly a record-setting day for March 17th. It felt really good to get outside. I usually go to the local YMCA after work each day. Yesterday, I skipped the gym. Instead, I laced-up my hiking boots, strapped on my daypack and hit a local park with a 7 mile trail system. It was wonderful. I actually
removed layers as I hiked through mud and water. There were insects! Birds! Sunshine! Those two hours on the trail yesterday did more for my personal well-being than any doctor could. It replenished my outdoor bug and put my mind on the track to healing.
Spring officially begins this Friday and I will welcome it with open arms. I may even throw a small party to honor its arrival. It's been a long time coming. Winter be gone!
As for this blog? I apologize for my disappearance. But I have an excuse. I've been sick.
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