Spring, everything is blooming. The weather is warmer, but the water is cold.

WOW…. What a roller coaster the weather has already been this month. With temperatures ranging from the 20s to the 80s, we are getting a little preview that Spring is definitely fast approaching. Just when we get a pretty weekend and begin preparing for the coming planting of flowers and vegetables, Winter takes a swing at us and knocks us back into reality. After all, the official date for the final frost is not until April 15. If you want to plant those tomatoes, it's better to delay it longer. At least until the soil has warmed up to 60 degrees.

This tomato synopsis applies to our river paddling trips as well. The warming daytime temperatures and thermal heat from our sun make an early Spring trip down the river a very comfortable experience. However, an accidental swim will plunge you into the still cold waters of an uncaring river. To prepare for this event, our paddles will still be considered “Cold Weather” and will require a dry bag with a change of clothes in the event of a water entry. Of course, if you do get wet it will be necessary to change into dry clothing. After all, there is no need to prepare for a situation if you are not going to implement the plan.  

In the meantime, look around you and enjoy the emerging show provided by Mother Nature. We have already witnessed the blooming of the Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp), Forsythia (Forsythia spp), and Spirea (Spiraea nipponica) that has come and gone for the year. Although none of these are native plants to the area, they do produce a great show at the end of a dreary time of year and are easily managed in the landscape. On a more positive note, our native Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) and Red Buckeye  (Aesculus pavia) are just now providing their annual Spring show so keep your eyes open. A great place to view the Red Buckeye is the first mile downstream from the Bateman Road ramp on river right.  

The most important thing is that we do get out and enjoy nature, the weather and the company of like-minded friends.

SYOTW!!!!!!!!!

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