April 24, 2007

Picnic weather

When my mother saw the weather forecast for last weekend, she sent an email to family members: "Is anyone interested in a picnic?"

On Sunday, the temperatures went into the seventies. We met at Pretty Colour Lakes, bringing sandwiches and fruit, wearing shorts and t-shirts. The sun felt hot as it shone down through the leafless branches, and soon we were drawn away from the picnic tables and to the lake. We weren't the only family who had the idea for a Sunday picnic – the usually quiet park was filled with children playing in the wet sand, teenagers wading in the water, adults relaxing in the sun.

As we walked the path around the lake, a trail shaded by cedar trees and smelling of mulch, we passed a teenager fishing, some kids skipping stones, a couple walking their dog, and a group of friends sunbathing on the bank. Even though signs at the park strictly forbid swimming or even wading, the water was too tempting to resist. I could hear joyful splashes as dogs and people leaped into the cold lake.

It was hard to retreat from the carefree summer atmosphere of the park and return home to the usual Sunday night chores. I emptied the ice chest we had brought and left it in the kitchen, knowing we'd be using it again soon. My husband and Shaggy Hair went out to take out the garbage and came back in the house looking puzzled.

"We found the garbage cans in the ditch, still filled with garbage," my husband said. He seemed surprised by this turn of events, as if he had not been driving past those same garbage cans every time he backed out of the driveway all week long.

"Yeah, the snowplow knocked them in last week, and they were buried for a few days."

"Was that snowstorm only a week ago?"

"Yeah."

The breeze came in through the open door. My bare arms and legs had tanned already, and Shaggy Hair's face was pink with sunburn. The snowshovels propped up against the doorway seemed entirely superfluous.

Into the lake

With-a-Why, Shaggy Hair Boy, and Blonde Niece.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your youngest has gotten taller this year. How do these things happen?

FA

YourFireAnt said...

Bananas rule.

FA

landismom said...

It is amazing, how fast it has gotten warm. My kids played in the sprinkler this weekend! And yes, the dissonance of snow the week before was in my mind.

Kyla said...

Crazy weather! Ours has been quirky, but not near as dramatic as yours. I can't imagine going from snowstorm to picnic weather in a week!

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

Snowstorm to heat in a week is common here but that doesn't mean I'm used to it.

Why are you not supposed to swim in the lake?

jo(e) said...

FA: Yeah, he's growing fast. Of course, he looks bigger in this photo because he's in the foreground. Shaggy Hair is about a foot taller than him.

Jennifer: I think the "no swimming" signs are to protect the state park from lawsuits. You are supposed to swim only in the beach area and only when life guards are on duty.

Mona Buonanotte said...

Those balmy, sweet Spring days are already gone. We're now in the 70s and I have to wonder when, oh when, I'll be able to wear that new light jacket I bought.

I love the colours of your lake!

listie said...

Isn't it glorious to be able to open the windows and hear the birds? We didn't have a beautiful lake handy last weekend, so MuddyCanal had to do.

BerryBird said...

I love the menfolks' blindspot and reaction to the garbage cans in the ditch. It just rings so true! There is a full blue bin sitting in our living room now--my idea was that one of us will see and remember, also a laundry basket for the same reason. I might need a new strategy.

Busymomma66 said...

Ahhh, the best weather ever (especially because it comes after such rain & in your case snow)!

I think since we have sucky weather for weeks on end, that it's only fair we have fantastic weather for the same amount of time!!

DaniGirl said...

We too had a picnic on Sunday! We found a new park across the river from where we usually hike, with an outlook over the river and a set of playground equipment for the boys. It was blissful, but not so beautiful a locale as yours!