Capitol Letters: Spring Frenzy!

DOES OUR FAMILY have spring fever? HA! We are beyond the fever - we have spring FRENZY!

On the weekends the milder weather of early spring is pushing us out of our home haven with a sense of urgency. When the workdays and school days are finished the extended light pulls us out of our buildings and vehicles, daring us to bask in the sunlight or inhale many moments of fresh cool air before returning inside.

Southeast Alaska has a well-deserved reputation for inclement and inconsistent weather. With temperatures in Interior and Western Alaska still entrenched in the negative regions and the Southcentral lows flirting with the negatives makes high temperatures in the low 40’s here feel decadent! During this season of the year I have a spring in my step with even more Southeast Alaskan pride.

“Look Daddy it’s sunny out!” has been a phrase that has been uttered with more frequency in my son’s recognitions of the weather around us. Our 3 ½-year old does not need a doctor or nurse to tell him the importance of vitamin D. He has just completed his fourth Alaskan winter and he can feel it. Although his vocabulary is diverse he cannot fully describe what he is feeling, but it is obvious. The difference of light and temperatures in his body is making him more active and chipper. He is embracing all of it with zest!

The past two weekends our ski outings have been accompanied by sun and warmth. So much so that I have felt some guilt for overdressing our young skier. What used to be hour-long trips to the beach and playground we frequent have now become two hours and beyond. Recently I caught a glimpse of our oldest on the playground with his peers, without snow pants. It made me smile. Our neighborhood playground is getting much more use and a slight mention of it is enough of a prod to get our son there. Grandma who just completed her first Alaska winter is more daring in taking our boys on outside adventures and her emails reach my inbox with titles such as: Isn’t this Sunshine Amazing? and What about this Sun?!

Our youngest son - who is more alert now than ever before - seems to be at peace in the outdoors taking in the seasonal changes. We are all grateful that outdoor life is more comfortable for him in this season allowing for even more time outside as a family.

We are looking forward to more trails opening up with the melting of the snow, looking for skunk cabbages and other spring greenery. We also look forward to spring king salmon arriving in our waters and better access to other outdoor adventures. Until then we will just enjoy being comfortable outside and basking in the light of spring.