changing seasons

It’s [officially] spring today. After a long bitter winter, everybody looks forward to spring. Who could blame them? Who could stand one more snow day? And who couldn’t wait to see the blooms again?

I love the sight of spring. It is still chilly but it is more manageable. Snow is still all over the place but not as much though. And the temperature is as unpredictable as ever but the sun is no longer evasive.

It’s the first day of spring and Mother Nature has proofs written all over her. The frozen lakes, ponds and rivers are thawing out slowly but surely. The leafless maple trees are showing tiny buds all over its twigs. And the still damp and soft grounds have exposed the grass growth.

It’s indeed spring now… and it is just so perfect!

Additional Information:
Spring and Summer in Maine
The Science of Spring

Isn’t it great? Don’t you like it? Do you think there could be more wonderful than… mud season ?

Oh yeah! This is the season where everything is starting to thaw out… melt… and drip. With only a few days to spring, I can clearly see patches of grassy land amidst white frosting. With only a few more days of waiting, spring will be here and there is no stopping. And with only a few more chance of dealing with bitter coldness, the most awaited change of season will be here.

Oh yeah! It’s mud season. It’s the prelude to springtime where our driveway is transformed into puddles and tiny shallow ponds and miniature lakes of dirty and murky snow water and drippings.

Oh yeah! It’s mud season. The constant comings and goings of our cars leave over-lapping tire marks on the driveway making it a huge mud pit too good to be a mud wrestling arena.

And Oh yeah! It’s mud season. The scenario brings out the best in everything from muddy footwear to mud-spotted car interiors to mud-stained floors to chocolate mud pie cravings. The later being the most favored of all the scenarios.

Isn’t it great when the temperature started to go up and the sun smiling down on the snow covered grounds one minute and rain pouring down the next? Isn’t it wonderful when the grass started to show up again and the herd of deer is back from migration grazing on the fields? Isn’t it sweet when you just had your car washed… sparkling… and spic and span…. and as you pulled over the driveway… you needed to have it washed again the next day?

Yes, it’s mud season in Maine and we cannot have springtime without going through this phase… once and for all.

Additional Information:
Maine Weather Summary

If there is anything I like about winter here in Maine… it’s ice-fishing season. Yup, it’s my favorite outdoor activity during winter because we do all those winter thingies that I enjoy like… snowshoeing, snowmobiling… camping… cook-out… binging and pigging out on [Chinese and Italian] sausages, deer meat, bacon, chicken, chips, and lots of food and drink.

Ice-fishing season is a huge event here in Maine. It is one of the most awaited winter outdoor events here in Maine. It is one of the sports events that is well-participated and well-anticipated by almost all Mainers and tourists alike.

One of the most awaited and most participated events during ice-fishing season is the Chevrolet Derby more popularly known as the Sabago Lake Derby. It is Maine’s largest and richest ice fishing derby in all of Maine. Sabago Lake being the second largest lake in Maine which covers about 45 square miles is a huge playground for both kids and kids at heart.

This year, the Sabago Lake Derby was held last February 21st and 22nd, 2009 and the statewide Derby will be held on March 7th and 8th, 2009.

And just like last year, Sabago Lake was as busy as ever. The lake was turned into a snowmobile and 4-wheeler highway. It was turned into a small plane runway. It was turned into a parking lot. And it was specked with thousand of fish traps.

People and dogs alike play carelessly on the lake. People are partying. Kids are enjoying the sled ride. Shacks, tents and lounge chairs provide comfort and warmth from the cold chill and from the long wait for the fish to bite.

And most importantly, the smell of sausages and meat grilling fills the cold air with a familiar scent known to a hungry stomach. Ice-fishing season on the hindsight… is a season for family and friends to bond… have fun… chillax [chill-out and relax] and enjoy the Maine winter outdoor despite the frigid climate. And I just love it not because I am trying to be a hardcore… I am trying to be a Mainer.

Additional Information:
The Maine Way
Ice Fishing Regulations
Maine Ice Anglers Association