GOODBYE, WINTER, and welcome spring.
Buds are bursting in these trees along the Cannon River in Dundas.
This weekend brought spring to Minnesota, just a week after an historic blizzard. And the mood shifted dramatically to exuberance as Minnesotans soaked up the sunshine and warmth, me among them. I even sport a sunburned forehead.
“Thin ice” signs remained in place at Lake Kohlmier in Owatonna on Saturday. Edges of the lake were open, the middle still iced.
We haven’t had temps this warm—in the 60s—since October. That’s too many months.
In Nerstrand, a contrast of seasons in a melting snowman and yard art.
On Sunday afternoon Randy found enough snow for a snowball.
Randy and I took a drive in the Rice County countryside this weekend. Snow still remains in shadowed spots.
While winter still lingers in melting snowmen, patches of snow and ice on lakes, I see spring everywhere.
In budding trees and pussy willows and blooming crocuses. Even in mud baking dry in the afternoon sun.
Biking Sunday afternoon along a back gravel road in Rice County south of Northfield.
It was shirt sleeve warm weather in Minnesota on Sunday, this scene photographed in Faribault at the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 21 and Seventh Street.
People were out and about everywhere—biking, riding motorcycles, pushing strollers, pulling wagons, walking, running, drinking craft beers on brewery decks and patios…
A fitting sign outside Chapel Brewing in Dundas on Sunday.
There was this feeling of we’ve finally made it. If you’ve ever lived in a cold weather state, you understand that delight, that giddiness, that joy which marks the first really warm and sunny day of spring.
Randy pulled on his shades as we each enjoyed a glass of beer on the riverside deck of Chapel Brewing Sunday afternoon.
Smiles abound, jackets are shed, sunglasses pulled on, winter released. Even if snow still remains in shadowed patches, we understand that spring has arrived in Minnesota. Finally.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Nice weather you folks are enjoying! Up here in the north country we too enjoyed some beautiful weather, not as warm as you but warm just the same, so much so that my plastic flowers are blooming!
Oh, wow, the plastic flowers are blooming. Just like those wooden ones in the photo within this post (next to the dwindling snowman).
Yes! Spring is here. The weekend weather was great and today was fabulous!
Agree, 110 percent.
I too am enjoying the return of spring 🙂 The pussy willow photo is amazing….what did you use for a lens?
I just used a standard lens.
It’s interesting, though, that you should mention this photo, which was shot of the hilltop grounds of the Valley Grove churches near Nerstrand. You need to visit here. You would love the setting and the churches. Because of the wind, Randy had to hold the pussy willow branch so I could photograph it.
Yes another area uncharted by Rick and I, So many places to see and things to do….
I agree. So many places and things to do…
Yes, Minnesotans are weary of a wintry season that never seemed to end. Glad you were able to rejoice with bits and pieces of spring here there and everywhere.. Haven’t you been to the DQ yet?
You must have missed my DQ post. I went on opening weekend in early March for a peanut buster parfait.
Finally!!! Unfortunately, the girls are sadly mistaken in thinking they can play outside until dark even though they still have school. We even saw some blooming crocus yesterday. I think we made it.
-Jocelyn
We made it, indeed.
I love reading that your girls are playing outside. I wish I would see more kids outdoors playing.
Quite the juxtaposition with Winter and Spring all rolled into one! Snow person to spring flowers to mud to sunny skies. Enjoy 🙂
That’s exactly what I was attempting to show. The past several days have been beyond beautiful. I’m getting leaves raked from flower beds so spring flowers and push through and bloom.
Yes! Great pictures after last week! Monday I had every window in the house open
I’m with you on flinging open the windows.
So glad it’s warmed up! Hopefully, there will be warmer days ahead and no sign of the cold white stuff!
The past several days have been glorious. Sunshine and temps in the 60s during the daytime. My husband put away the snow shovels. We are being optimistic.