Shelagh's Brush

 It's officially spring..

Things are even starting to turn green, or at least less brown!

..so let me tell you I was not at all in the mood for this:

NOT FUNNY

I mean, it's partially my own fault - I'd been ruing not having the chance to run in some new winter kit that had recently been delivered, so all of a sudden I was given ample opportunity. It snowed on Tuesday evening's run (above), and then hammered me with snow flurries as I ran up to the bank and back on Wednesday afternoon to make some work deposits.

..while wearing the new kit, which worked quite well.
(Ridge Merino's Crowley Tights & Convict Hoodie)

I mean, it's no surprise to anyone that we'd get a bit of snow in April; we were due one more dump, and I'd rather have it out of the way now than waiting til May (like last year). It just feels like a shock when it's been so lovely out, considering I've been out on my paddleboard twice already. 

..and the new growth poking its way through the drab brown landscape of a melted winter.

At least it was fairly pleasant for the weekend, so I could enjoy my run down to the market (on the trail above), and do some exploring of a trail that Tank and I have actually been chasing (in on-and-off fashion) for years now.

It turns out that doing it in daylight - and not in a howling snowstorm - is easier.

Who would've thought?

We even got out for a romp on our mountain bikes on Sunday for the first time in ages.

It turns out I remember how to ride over mud and roots and rocks!

Rollin' along the river

We're definitely not the ones getting the worst of the wintry blast, either - while out on our ride, we saw more than a dozen turtles out taking advantage of the sunshine and mild air!

Some of which appeared to be having a difficult time playing leapfrog
(not pictured: you'll have to get your turtle porn elsewhere)

Really I'm just bitter because it's not enough snow to snowshoe run on (or cross-country ski), and while it's been chilly there have still been bugs out. That's NOT FAIR; it should either be cold, or buggy. NEVER BOTH AT ONCE.

Of course, if I'd do more running and less "using a fallen tree as a balance beam", they might not bother me so much..

I am definitely still enjoying the sun being out much later in the day.

Even though I still seem to see it set quite frequently while running.

..I'm just dreaming of the hot summer days when I can spend hours on the water without worrying about hypothermia if I happen to fall off my paddleboard.

If I had to pick a place to die, though..

I know the warmth - and really, the unbearable heat and humidity - are coming. I'll just have to be patient, but I sure hope Sheila doesn't have any more tricks in store for us.