Spring Snow

This weekend we all turned our clocks ahead one hour. As a kid I always associated that with "spring". I definitely know it is not spring after another major snow storm hit the Midwest again this weekend. We, thankfully, only got four inches. But that was enough to produce an absolutely, marvelous day today. A fresh snow, shown off by a bright sun, glistening under a perfectly blue sky invited me out to play. I seized the rare opportunity to strap on the cross country skis and take to the trails. We have some awesome metro parks in this area. We also have some equally wonderful nature preserves. Where to go became the most difficult decision of the day. Today I chose the nearest nature preserve. The sun brought out a beauty unmatched on any other cross country ski trip this year. The trip was one of my shorter trips, and thankfully so with the spring snow. The snow was wet and heavy and sat on top of a watery version of the same, perfect for sticking to the skis. At times this provided a challenge when bogged down by heavy snow and at other times an icy quality allowed for some smooth flowing stretches. Skiing through the preserve I got to experience a number of different habitats including a sedge meadow, a grass meadow, a shrub swamp and the oak invested woods so common to this area. Throughout my trek there was much evidence of wildlife. There were the typical rabbit and squirrel tracks. Deer tracks were less abundant but clearly visible. Birds were everywhere giving me a clear indication that this will quickly become one of my favorite walking trails come summer. It will provide a number of opportunities to view a wide variety of birds.  Often one advantage of the winter defoliation is the evidence of wildlife that becomes visible. Several birds nests peppered the trail. The sights and smells encouraged my winter weary heart. While I enjoyed the exercise I also enjoyed the hint of warmth in the breeze, coupled by the fresh smell that hints of spring. I was soon reminded why cross country skiing in March is so delightful! 

Spring Training

This has been one of the snowiest winters on record.  Several places here in the Midwest have had their snowiest winters on record. Last year at this time I was already hitting the streets with my road bike. Need I say I'm getting a bit antsy to get on the road. In the meantime I spend four nights a week "spring training". What does that consist of? Running on a treadmill two nights a week in front of "American Idol" and another two times per week either on an elliptical or the treadmill depending upon what interests me. At this point I'm tired of the same ole scenery in the gym or my basement.  Other than a wonderful few runs in San Francisco (check out my other blog), I've been confined to indoor training.  This weekend I "spring" my clock ahead....lets hope that this "springs" the weather ahead too.  

The Other Side

Another weekend on the road.  This trip took me to California for the second time in three weeks. Earlier in February, I spent several wonderful days in San Francisco. This trip took me to the other side of the Bay: Berkley, the site of many protests in the 60's and Haight-Ashbury. While I was "thinking critically" about Critical Thinking I was also enjoying some wonderful "spring" weather.  This conference kept me busy most of the day, but I was able to "steal" some precious moments in the evening to run through Chavez park, catch a sunset or visit the Botanical Gardens at the University of California. What a rare opportunity to see the west side of the San Francisco Bay one weekend only to see the east portion of the Bay two weeks later. This trip gave me a glimpse of things to come in the Midwest: flowering trees, tulips, warm breezes, and wonderful sunsets. Our conference ended on Sunday afternoon, leaving me time to visit the UC Botanical Gardens including the Redwood Park, buy tie-dyed tie shirts for my dogs, and walk through the college town of Berkley. 

A Gift of Time

Over the past year I have come to embrace business travel for one of the unintended gifts it gives me:  "time".  Life as I experience it is fast paced, demanding and full. Slowing life down to provide me the reflection time necessary to process events, readings, interactions, etc. has become more and more difficult. If you've traveled by air lately you have come to experience the "hurry from gate to gate" when flights are booked close together or the opposite extreme of lengthy periods of time between flights that must be filled before boredom takes over.  I have come to find that in either situation I am afforded a precious gift:  time to reflect.  Whether sitting at the gate or sitting on the plane I can get lost in my thoughts.  Nothing is more precious to me then spending time with family and friends but when business travel whisks me away from them then I embrace the gift of time.