Spring cometh

Something magical happened last week. I was walking the dog out on Cement Creek Road and I witnessed something I hadn’t seen in weeks—dirt. Bare ground that was both sandy and muddy. It was truly a beautiful thing.
Now, I know that there are those among us, my husband in particular, who would be satisfied for winter’s snowiest months to last most of the year. They imagine a world with days upon days of perfect powder turns. I know that mindset and I appreciate it.
However, there is something wondrous about the turning of the seasons when the valley starts to warm and sends us hints that spring may be on the way. The world seems a little warmer and a little friendlier—like maybe flowers can live here some day.
Of course, I know there will be more days of gray mornings and blowing snow. There’s going to be more shoveling to do and more ice to chip. And with March here, there’s definitely going to be more work with spring breakers starting to arrive.
But these warm afternoons remind me of all the gorgeous times that spring offers up in Crested Butte—aprés-ski on the Paradise Warming House deck, slushy turns on the hill, goggle-line tans and days spent outside without a shovel in hand.
We’re almost there.
I’m not the only one who’s noticed the slight change in the season. In fact, it’s been the subject of artistic inspiration.
The Alpenglow Gallery will present "The Denouement of Winter and the Emergence of Spring" this week, with a reception tonight (Thursday, March 6) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge at Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte.
The exhibit will feature some of our local artists’ best attempts to reflect our "unique shift into spring." The contributing artists include Raynor Czerwinski, Dusty Demerson, Xavier Fane, JC Leacock, Kevin Krill, Susan Marion, Guy Nelson, Melissa Nuener and Jessica Turpin.
Head up and check out their fine work—and enjoy spring’s first blush.
—Aleesha Towns