Spring is here the people of Bend are responding to the increased sunlight warmer temps. April’s Art Hop was bursting at the seams with music, dancing throngs of people spilling over into the streets. Maybe it happens every year at this time, but as the winter holds its cold little talons onto our imminent summer days the folks around me become more irritated when the promise of sun turns into snow showers or even hail.  

Warm weather in Central Oregon means s als music in the park, golf, bike rides a beer on the patio. I have been forcing the change of seasons by wearing my Chacos pulling weeds in the garden while my fingers go numb, but our upcoming events in May are a reason to throw off the parkas paint the toes.  

The Pole Pedal Paddle on May 21 is set to consume Bend with thous s of visitors, Death Cab for Cutie at the Les Schwab Amphitheater on May 27 kicks off the summer concert season Pond Skimming on May 29 at Mt Bachelor, I like to think, sends the message that we are DONE with snow.

I’ll never forget the first warm day we had in spring when I was living in London.  The parks were suddenly teaming with even the most austere business men stripping off their suits basking their pale bodies in the sunshine. While those of us in Central Oregon don’t have it quite that bad with our 300ish days of sun, the feeling is the same, pure joy.