Spring, Slowly
Winter’s End North of the 47th Parallel
My grandfather grew up here, north of the 47th parallel in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. When people would ask what the climate of his childhood was like, he’d say it was “9 months of winter and 3 months of pretty tough sledding.” With an annual average snowfall of over 300 inches, he wasn’t far from wrong. The frigid waters of Lake Superior surround the peninsula, thrusting humidity skyward and creating a virtual snow machine.
With that much snow, it takes some time for the earth to warm and thaw and cast off the icy mantle that covered it since the first heavy snows of November and December and spring arrives softly, whispering promises of new beginnings. At first, I notice the days stretching longer, but on a clear evening, I see that the sun is now setting to the west, over the lake rather than in the south, obscured by the trees.
That closer sun starts to melt the lake ice in earnest, slowly returning built-up ice shelves on the shore back to the lake. The sun also warms the air and when it comes into contact with the cold water (Lake Superior’s surface water temperatures typically don’t exceed 55°F, even in summer), heavy fog forms, obscuring the shoreline.
The growing warmth also affects the snowpack in the hills, and trickles of melt turn into streams and then to rivers and eventually out to the big lake.
This slow evolution of spring reminds me to take my time as the earth warms, helping me to awaken to summer’s promise.
During this dark and difficult time, we all need to do what we need to do to keep our spirits up. I post my photographs and thoughts here to show that there is still beauty in the world and to promote the idea that there is grace, positivity and inclusivity in the everyday.
Throughout history, goodness most always wins, and the arts can lead the way in reflecting the good all around us. There is still light in the world.
Beautiful work.
Beautiful commentary and gorgeous images capturing Mother Nature. 💚 Kate