I hate spring

Maybe hate is kind of harsh. But this is my least favorite season. This surprises most people. The same people who can't understand the beauty and adventure of winter.

Yeah, I love winter. I love fresh snow. I love how my body feels after about a half hour of crosscountry skiing. I love being on top of a remote mountain in the winter.

The cold doesn't bother me much. I know how to dress for it. And once I get moving, I'm warm enough.

I don't know if I like summer any better. It's a tough decision. I love being on the ocean in my kayak. If things go well, I can be in my kayak three times a week.

I feel about the sea the same way I feel about the mountains. But the draw of the sea is enough to keep me on the water. I don't enjoy hiking much in the summer. I would rather use the time to paddle.

Then the fall comes. I do enjoy the crispness in the air when the temperatures start to drop. I enjoy putting on coats like some people enjoy reuniting with old friends. I can still paddle. And hiking is more comfortable.

Of course the foliage adds to the scenery.

Fall is a good transition time for me to get ready for winter.

Why don't I feel the same way about the transition from winter to summer? Because the snow sucks. It's full of water and makes for rough skiing. The snow on the hiking trails is horrible. All winter, hikers pack down a hard base. That base melts more slowly than the surrounding snow. So we have to work our way up this rail of ice hidden in the soft snow. If we veer off, we sink - harshly.

And the runoff fills the streams. That makes it hard to cross.

Speaking of water, it's still cold. Too cold. I can't hike, and I can't paddle. I might as well work.

Maybe I need to be less picky. Maybe I should enjoy the fact that I can hike in short sleeves without fighting insects. Maybe I should get cold-weather gear for kayaking. I should embrace the spring run off in a whitewater boat.

Or maybe I should finish up that flooring project in my house. The kitchen needs some work too. I think I can get it done by the time the ocean waters reach 50 degrees.