Over the past few months of winter, I have spent enough time and energy shoveling my driveway that I can qualify for the Olympic Snow Shoveling Team. But those mindless hours of labor have given me time to think of some important questions. Is my yard still under all this snow? Is this what it feels like to live in a snow globe? And the most important question of all, what is spring?

In the Northern Hemisphere the official definition of spring is, “The day of the year when the sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward.” This day, March 20th or 21st, is known as the Vernal Equinox. Spring is a transition period, the three coolest months of winter are over and the three warmest months of summer are on the way. The days are getting much longer, approaching 12 hours in length, and everything around us is starting to “Spring Forth.”

Maybe that is how spring got its name, plants and animals all spring into action as the weather warms. We even “spring forward” on our clocks for Daylight Savings Time. But the different regions of the Northern Hemisphere don’t all spring together. Some areas that don’t see severe winter weather can see spring conditions as early as February while northern areas may not experience spring conditions until May.

The scientific signs of spring are the increase of animal activity, the blossoming of plant and tree species and the warming of the soil. We always associate the first Robin in our backyard as a sure sign of spring. But some other animals that make us think of spring conditions are the return of the hummingbirds, honey bees and frogs. Scientists have observed an event they call “season creep”, which is when signs of spring are occurring a few days earlier each decade. Please let that happen this year.

Another sign of spring can be violent weather. With warm air to the South and cold air still in the North, the collision of those two air masses can cause problems. From tornadoes to severe thunderstorms with hail and lighting, spring weather can be an issue for people spending time outdoors. Even more of a reason to check weather forecasts and conditions before you plan an outdoor excursion.

We think of spring as the Vernal Equinox, but not all countries or cultures follow this tradition. In New Zealand and Australia spring is celebrated on September 1st. Celtic tradition bases spring on the strength of the noon day sun, so the Celtic spring ran from February to May. Some cultures past and present treat spring as the start of a new year. The Chinese spring festival is celebrated on the second new moon after the Winter Solstice, often called the Lunar New Year. This is based on a lunar calendar that divides the year into seasons for planting and agriculture purposes. It is a tradition to ignite fireworks on the Lunar New Year to scare away evil spirits.

So, besides the first day of our spring, what else is so great about March 21st? Well if you were born on that date you would be under the zodiac sign of Aries. People born under that sign are said to be aggressive, energetic and enthusiastic or simply put they would make a great snow shoveler.

Other things that will go down in history as happening on March 21st are: In 1556 the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Crammer, was burned at the stake. But something a little more cheerful is that Yosemite Valley was discovered in California in 1851. In 1962, a bear became the first creature to be ejected from an airplane at supersonic speed; it’s hard to imagine what that even looked like. After 29 years in existence, Alcatraz Prison was closed in 1963. In 1980, the question of the day was “Who shot JR” on the TV show Dallas. And in 1984 a part of Central Park was renamed Strawberry Fields in honor of John Lennon.

It may be hard to imagine it right now, but spring is on the way. Our world will turn from white to green and we can put the snow shovel away for another year. Your local outdoor outfitter is gearing up for warmer weather. Stop in soon to see what is new for spring or just to daydream about all those great Take It Outside adventures just around the corner. Your questions, comments or suggestions are always welcome; send us an email at takeitoutside@live.com. Now its time to time to go back outside and shovel the driveway again.