Spring finally arrived

The change of weather was dramatic. One day it was winter and the next it was spring, similar to the flip of a light switch. I’m not talking about the actual day when spring arrived, which was yesterday, but when the weather transformed to below freezing day and night to freezing only at night and then becoming above freezing both day and night.

The next 10-day forecast, beginning today, has the high temperatures in the high 50s to the low 60s. The low temperatures are in the low 30s to the high 30s and even a day or two in the 40s. This is a good start, for sure.

So, what’s an outdoors-minded person to do during the weather transition this year? First, take advantage of the first signs of spring. Do a happy dance if you are so inclined. Be careful of having the vehicle becoming stuck in mud and grime during outings on these spring days.

Last fall my camping blood became contaminated with the urge to go camping. The on-line camping registration for Washington State Parks was available and calling to me last November.

A 10-day camping trip to Potholes State Park was reserved, Site 23, for March 14 through 24. This means we would be camping at the park right now, scheduled to return home next Sunday.

When this trip was mentioned to a group of friends last January, I became the center of harassment, not only from friends, but from my wife.

What were you thinking? Is the heater working? Is the water turned on at the Park? How can we get the trailer out of the back yard with all the snow? And other such comments.

Finally, the reservation was canceled, but not until the first part of March. Garnet standing near me with her hand on her hip, looking at me with a what-are-you-thinking look, caused me to cancel the reservation.

Our next reservation is for April 13 for 10 days. Trust the park will be open and ready for campers. By the way, last fall we drove through Potholes state park just for fun.

There were new poles with unfamiliar gizmos on them. I asked about them when we found a park employee. We were told the poles provided Wi-Fi to the park. This is a great and positive move for state parks, as they try to provide what the public wants and needs.

The travel trailer stands ready, the weather is improving, so there isn’t much standing in the way of a few days of camping.