The spring of 2012 flew early. I remember my then one-year-old granddaughter watching the St. Patrick’s Day parade in shorts. Our family picnicked on a balmy Easter Sunday, complaining only about our mud-caked dogs who had snuck away for a swim at the beach.
This spring of 2013 continues to sit. Determined not to break our Easter Sunday picnic tradition, we huddled around a fledging campfire, complaining about spring’s late arrival to the party.
The snow in our valley finally gave up waiting, melting into the nearest stream and taking leave to the river. Yet other signs of spring – budding trees and the emergence of green – wait for a sign that it’s OK to come out.
I may have happened last night. A thundering announcement accompanied by a penetrating rainstorm, woke up the entire valley, my wife and I included. The entire house shook as if spring could no longer contain itself. This morning, green grass appears where snow banks stood a week ago, and green undergrowth squeezes out of the adjacent hillside. The bird of spring has flown.
With spring’s arrival comes outdoor adventure. My wife gave me a Wisconsin Park sticker for Christmas and it’s time to put it to good use. Open year ‘round, state parks offer a splendid view to monitor the progress of spring.
Wildcat Mountain State Park near Ontario overlooks the sprawling Kickapoo Valley with the Kickapoo River meandering along the foot of the bluff below the park. South of Prairie du Chien, Wyalusing State Park oversees the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers and the wide valley that holds the rivers. Each offers tantalizing glimpses of spring’s arrival, from the explosion of budding trees to the fast-flowing rivers that signal the retreat of winter.
The Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge will celebrate spring’s arrival with the “Spring Fling Benefit” on April 27. “Activities include: geology & nature hike, craft demonstrations, hula hooping, Sister City presentation, music by Dan Sebranek & Mary, silent auction, raffle, grilled brats & burgers, salads, desserts, soft drinks, and brew canoe.”
Other celebrations of spring include the Gays Mills Spring Festival on May 10 – 12, “a festival commemorating the traditions of the valley,” which features the Folk Festival of Music and Dance, the Ridge and Valley Rodeo, and plenty of good food coming your way in a Bake Sale and Pancake Breakfast.
You may want to wait for that soon-arriving warm day to stage your first picnic, but I can think of no better place to witness spring take flight. Time for spring to leap!
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