Spring? We have our doubts

It's beautiful outside.

The sun is shining. It's 50 degrees and not yet noon. The snow is nearly all melted from the streets downtown.

On Friday, I drove up to the Range without a jacket on for the first time since November.This morning I walked to work without wearing a winter hat. All signs point to an early spring.

And yet ...

I don't mean to jinx this beautiful weather. More cold and snow are the last things I want.

But whenever someone says, "I can't believe this weather!" I have to admit, I can't either.

I remember too many false springs to trust this fair weather run. We may still see some snow or cold before May.

I don't have any scientific evidence, just a lot of anecdotal memories. For instance, the past three years with at least one snowstorm in April.

In April 2007, my middle school had to close on Monday due to snow, on Wednesday due to a broken water main and on Friday because of a second snowstorm.

My snow boots aren't packed up quite yet. I have to wonder if I'm alone in my doubts. Is anyone else as skeptical as me? Or is it better to just enjoy the nice weather regardless of doubts?

I took to the streets and spoke to nine people on Superior Street and along the Lakewalk. One thing I've learned in life so far is, people are more than willing to talk about the weather. Here's what they had to say:

Ty Anderson, a student at Harbor City International School thinks spring has definitely begun.

"At my Dad's house, I noticed there are some flowers popping up. That's a sign," he said. "I still have my winter jacket and hat out though, just in case. Last year, we had a bit of a false spring when we had that snowstorm in April, so who knows?"

Dale Rapp isn't sure just yet.

"I'll tell you in two weeks whether or not it's really spring. I can't promise this will last, as nice as it is right now. We've had snow in June, so anything is possible," Rapp said.

Rapp remembers a false spring from his childhood. He and his brother wore new spring jackets to junior high. That afternoon turned into a snowstorm and their mother had to pick them up.

"It changed completely so quickly. I keep my winter jacket out now," Rapp said.

Lore Dixon also keeps her winter coat ready, but she thinks spring is definitely here.

"It's supposed to be spring. It's possible we'll see more snow, but it's March, so it's not likely to me," Dixon said. She was out for a walk along the Lakewalk. At 86, she still walks every day, despite the weather in winter.

"I couldn't live someplace where the weather stayed the same all the time. I'd be bored to death," Dixon said.

Jennifer Flores was taking advantage of the 50-degree day by walking her 3 1/2-month-old mini-Australian shepherd, Annabelle. She says she has checked the Weather Channel's month-ahead weather prediction.

"The month ahead looks pretty warm, so I don't think we'll have any more snow. I'm glad I can take her for walks outside in this lovely weather," Flores said.

Heather Gerads was waiting for a bus at the Holiday Center on Superior Street with her daughter Delilah Remington. She says that spring is teasing us.

"It makes me feel happy when it's sunny. I wish it would stay like this, but I know Duluth too well to know it's probably not going to last," Gerads said.

Caio Santos was waiting outside for a bus to Superior. Santos is originally from Vitoria, a city on the coast of Brazil, so he is very hopeful about the warmer weather.

"I have a lot of hope. We had a real spring my first year here in 2009, but not since then. So based on past experiences, I hate to say I think it could snow again," Santos said.

Davonta Donaldson, a sophomore at Denfeld High School, thinks that spring is here, despite the possibility of more snow.

"Look at the weather right now. It's so shiny and nice. There's a slight cool breeze, but it's not cold. All this sunshine makes Duluth look alive. Yes, we'll probably get more snow, but it's still spring," Donaldson said.

I like Donaldson's sentiment. We could get more snow, but for right now it feels like spring, so it's spring. All of these responses prove to me that spring doesn't necessarily start after the last snowfall. It starts when people start feeling better and getting outside more.

Spring isn't just a season. It's a state of mind.

Photos and Captions:

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Ty Anderson

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Dale Rapp

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Lore Dixon

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Jennifer Flores and her dog Annabelle

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Heather Gerads and her daughter Delilah Remington

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Caio Santos

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Davonta Donaldson

pullquote:

'I couldn't live someplace where the weather stayed the same all the time. I'd be bored to death.'