This is how the snow looked a couple of days ago. It didn't feel quite like spring because things were still frozen.

The horses knew the thaw had begun yesterday; they were pawing and nosing the snow down at the creek. Now the snow's started to melt away fast and the yard is going to be a bog. Ivan and Scott were out yesterday trying to minimize the potential damage:

Even after they scraped a lot of snow off the driveway yesterday, my vehicle still sinks into deep slushy ruts.

 Today, I got out for a 30-minute walk in the afternoon sun in spite of having plenty to do to get ready to leave tomorrow. I'm still not packed. But I got my walk. 

You can smell the water in the air. It's definitely spring. This morning as I basked on the deck for a few minutes, there were bird calls that haven't been heard around here since fall. Nice to hear again.

(Marya, do you still have the url for listening to bird calls?)

If this weather keeps up, most of the snow I'm seeing will be gone when we get back in one week. But there will be water and mud ... oh dear.

Look at the mud already on the snow. Not so pretty!

Almost all these pictures were taken on this afternoon's ramble. I'll be missing it, as well as my morning constitutional and my sunset stroll, for the next eight days. And when I drive back into the yard and want to walk to the house, how much do you want to bet I'll wish I'd stowed some rubber boots in the vehicle? I'd almost put money on it, that our shoes will get soaked walking to the house.

Because I ain't wearing my winter jacket and honkin' big boots to Kelowna. Nosiree. I'm travelling light. Empty suitcase, to boot, because Joan always loads me up with her castoff clothing. This time I'm leaving space for the new wardrobe, and plan to go shopping. There's a Levis store in the mall, and maybe it will have my 512 slimfits. Or who knows -- something better, if I can bear to spend any time trying things on. Still on the quest for the perfect pair of bluejeans: finding them requires no time spent in fitting rooms.

I will update from there, but won't be able to send out any notifies. Did I mention that Everett's coming along?