It's been a very long winter.  Record breaking snowfalls.  Snow and low temperatures started early in November and continue into April.  So, you have to ask the question. "Where is Spring?".

I spent some time in the past month looking for Evidence of Spring where I live in Wisconsin and then where my daughter lives in Oregon.  Naturally, the stories were quite different depending on where you are.

I started my explorations in Wisconsin by driving to various locations along lake Winnebago, a very large inland lake.  One of my first stops was at Jefferson Park.  The wind was howling off of the lake.  There were a few cars parked along the waterfront, with cars running and people preferring to sit within their heated cars.  Me, I ventured out and walked along the waterfront, a paved path that still had snow. I did question my sanity a bit as I walked and the wind chilled me to my bones, but I was glad that I had on my warm hat, a layer of down, and a wind-resistant outer layer.  Dressed fairly smartly for the occasion.

As I walked, I noticed that the ice was starting to break up.  It's layered grip on top on the lake starting to lessen.  And to me, this was one of my first signals that Spring was arriving in our area.  Open water on the lake.

Open Water on Lake Winnebago

I decided to continue my explorations along Lake Winnebago.  This time at High Cliff State Park.  The snow on the walking trails was minimal.  The ranger when I checked the trails at the visitors's center said that skiing is now over and the trails are open to hiking.  He wasn't sure how muddy they were.

Believe it or not, I only found a few sections were the trails were muddy.  I had put on my tall, rubber boots, just in case.  But I could have easily walked with just plain hiking shoes.  As I hiked along, I decided to visit the statue of Red Chief and it's tribute to the lake.  Here the lake was still partially frozen, but all of the ice fishing shanties are gone since it's not safe to be on the ice.  Another big evidence that spring is coming.

Overlooking Lake Winnebago Around this time there was other evidence that Spring was just emerging.

Melting Snow on paved walking trails.

Road Construction Starting.

And buds just forming on the trees.

That was in Wisconsin.  Then I made the trek to visit my daughter in Oregon.  Her spring was much further along.

I saw my first trillium, which to me, is a symbol of spring emerging.

PAD April 3 Miller Woods

And blossoms, blossoms everywhere...

PAD April 3 Around McMinnville

PAD April 3 Around McMinnville

PAD April 3 Around McMinnville

Spring was everywhere.  I just had to walk outside to see and smell the overwhelming and totally welcome burst of spring in Oregon.