SPRING!! This I Know. Cuz the Calendar Sez It's So

Well, it may not look exactly like spring here in North Idaho, but we'll take it. 

It's much more common for us total grouches as we impatient endure dreary, wet, cold, miserable weather this time of year.

So, even if the full package is yet to be delivered, that blue sky, warm sunshine, big full moon casting light at night, the gentle breeze blowing melodious chimes, little birds singing, bigger birds returning----those are enough ingredients for us to at least get a taste of spring.

So, here it is, and soon enough a plate filled with raking, mowing, painting, planting, cleaning, hiking, fishing, riding, exploring, weeding, etc. will provide us a plate so full of "things to do," that we'll be yearning for one of those rainy, dreary and cold days. 

Well, maybe!

I'd say this first day of spring in North Idaho is unlike any I remember for a long, long time, if not ever. 

Sixty-three degrees, and I'll be out there finishing off that four-foot canyon I've been digging in the snow, which will allow the dogs a pathway to their woods where they can play. 

While shoveling for the past three days,I can see over there in the woods that the trees have kept the snow level down. 

Therefore, if we can just break through the rest of the four-foot-deep stuff, the doggies will have a nice, clean area, carpeted with pine needles for their day-long play time.

I can't remember ever shoveling that much snow in 63-degree weather so it's another one of those "first's" to mark off the list. 

Yesterday, I finally reached a point where walking down the lane, looking at the mud and water or slipping on the ice while walking toward the garage had gotten to me, even with the sun shining.  

Plus, I felt the need to strike out on my own, just for a couple of hours. 

That's something I normally do quite often as somewhat of a loner, but the opportunity has not presented itself over the past month with Rehab Man, who's set to start driving again in just three days. 

So, I told Bill I needed some time to take off with my camera by myself. Knowing he'd be going to choir practice and a Presbyterian church meeting later in the day, I didn't even feel one tinge of Catholic guilt. 

Those moments of solitude are sometimes precious, sometimes not.  In this case, I enjoyed every minute, stopping by for a quick visit with Debbie, grabbing a cup of coffee at the convenience store and then pointing the car toward the Long Bridge. 

Yesterday's outing took me on the Bottle Bay Loop, which extends from HWY 95 on a winding but tremendously scenic drive past Contest Point, Bottle Bay and back to Sagle Road, which goes back to HWY 95. 

I remembered all the trips we took on that road around ten years ago when Willie and Debbie first moved back to Sandpoint.  

They rented a house from one of the family "outlaws" and enjoyed getting to know the Sagle area and visits with a high school colleague Cheryl who lived just down the road. 

It may have been that long since I've driven the Bottle Bay Loop, and I did notice a whole lot more houses out that way from those earlier times. 

I also noticed an extended stretch of road with beautiful rail fences on both sides and then some rather nice entrances to property, protected by security cameras. 

Bill told me later that the place is for sale.  He thinks you can buy it for the low, low price of $20 million. 

We may just have to wait and see if the price goes down after another North Idaho winter.  After all, these winters tend to "get" to people, especially those of us natives who have endured far too many of them. 

All in all, two hours of driving along the lake, snapping pictures, sipping on coffee seemed to be adequate.  I was ready to get back home, pick up my shovel and keep working at that snow canyon to the south woods. 

Later, Bill had his outing to the church.  This time, he took his crutches for ascension and descension of stairs so he could practice in the choir. 

It was a good stroke of business because over the next few days, logistics with crutches and knee roller will be essential when he climbs back into the driver's seat and takes his solo drive to Moscow. 

It's all progress---melting, shoveling and healing. 

Plus there's just one day left before full-fledged "dancing with brackets."

Ahhh, life is good.  March on! 

Happy Wednesday.