Not only visible is springtime by now, but also we can feel it coming more and more. Coming weekend we are supposed to reach the +20 degrees C for the first time!
Snow is still here, more than enough! But if one looks carefully, it can be seen that is is getting less every day. Some of the forest roads are already nicely dry, some others are still completely snowcovered.The ice on the lake is getting soft and starts to melt close by the shores. Caused by this huge melting all over the area, all water levels are rising as usual. Most of the riverbanks are under water, trees getting really wet feets, and where in summer we see only small trickles, now there are real creeks with good current. Our raft looks a bit weird in all the ice around it and we observe day by day, how long it will stand the pressure and how it might change. Unser Floss sieht im Eispanzer ziemlich zerdrückt aus und wir warten gespannt, wie es sich weiter hält. After 2 weeks of shoveling ice and snow, most of the kennels are getting dry as well and also the winter-cabins can be cleaned now from all the used straw that was hidden under the masses of snow.
All sleds are repaired and stored away. The bikes are ready for the first trips. Paddling and rowing sadly needs still a bit more time. We have already more than 17 hours sunlight every day and soon also the first fresh green will be showing up. The birds start singing at 4am; ducks and swans came back and probably also wait - like we do - for all the remaining snow and ice to disappear.
That's how spring looks and feels like here in Eräkeskus. In a few days we welcome the first special group "Rossi" here and we are confident that until then, even more spring will be visible!