Ready for planting

I took a detour on my way back to the Twin Cities from southern Minnesota on one of the first really nice days of this late, but very welcome, spring. Aside from a few isolated patches of snow stuck in dark crannies the countryside is free of winter.

P is for pretty in pink

Early spring weather has brought the tulips out. These, from my front garden, are almost gone now so I was glad to capture them when they were at their finest.

For more ABC Wednesday photos, click here.

Look what's growing in the garden!

More garage sales and used household goods sprout like daffodils.

Barge season on the river

I love watching the first barges cruise up the Mississippi. A sure sign of spring. However, something about this photo is not quite right. Anyone want to take a guess?

Upside down Ernie

Remember that suggestion to go for a morning walk along the river bluffs? Well, you never know what you'll find.

Morning mist

I highly recommend a morning walk on the bluffs along the Mississippi. This was on the Wisconsin side of the river which I think is particularly picturesque.

Rebirth

In the week following Easter we are finally see spring arrive in Twin Cities. St John the Evangelist Church in St. Paul has some of the prettier trees framing their front facade.

Told ya!

Wish it weren't so, but I warned you. Three days before Easter...

Snow for Easter?

Like any wise Minnesotan this neighbor has not removed the snow shovels from the front porch even as Easter approaches (on one of the latest dates ever).

Darling buds of ... April

The first signs of spring along the Mississippi at Lock & Dam 1 (which, for the curious, is at mile 847.9 on the river).

Road closed

I wanted to bike down in the Minnesota River valley this week but this road was closed due to high water. We didn't have record flooding, though, and now it's starting to recede.

Gold Medal Park

A fine spring day to enjoy the park on the river next to the Guthrie Theater.

Junk yard snow

Here's where all the snow went when we saw the dump trucks filled to overflowing this winter. By the end of the week this may be a shadow of itself (if we're lucky).

Flood stage

It's been worse in past years and it might have been worse this year, but it won't be (knock on wood). Just upstream from downtown St. Paul, the river is lapping ever so slightly at this guy's feet.

Ice-free river

At the end of Summit Avenue in St. Paul, an overlook on the bluff gives a great view of the changing river. Here at the end of March, after a flirt with spring and a return to winter, we can see that the river is completely open. Yahoo!

Dancing for spring

We're a little ahead of May Day but I ran across this photo I took of some Morris dancers last year and thought it wouldn't hurt to summon some spring karma.

Beautiful spring

Isn't spring in Minnesota lovely? Just waiting for those crocus to appear.

Muddy puddle

It may just be a muddy puddle to many of you out there, but to us Twin Citians it is the first glorious sign that the end of winter is in sight. Compare this to what I posted in December from the same spot.

Blooming

A lone red blossom amongst the not-quite-ready-to-open green. Anyone know what kind of flower this is? They look fuzzy, though I didn't actually touch them myself.

Garage Sale

It's that time of year! Time to go garage sale-ing! This one is happening this weekend in my neighborhood, in case you're looking for something to do. I think a flyer I found pinned to a nearby tree said it's at 1011 Lincoln Ave.