First, I have to confess that I planned in advance to write this post this weekend before a giant spring snowstorm settled in over Colorado and blasted this area with winter weather. It looks like January out there right now! But it’s par for the course in Colorado and, let’s face it, we need the moisture desperately right now. And, with apologies to my Michigan friends and family who slogged through another frigid, snowy winter this year, we had a really mild winter here. It feels like spring arrived to Vail in February, which I admit, I loved. Here, in no particular order, are a few other things I’m loving about spring right now.

1. Long (or short) walks + really good audio books. I recently had a revelation. I was at work and feeling fidgety at my desk. It was a bright, blue-sky day outside and, so, I decided to take a half-hour break and go for a walk on the bike path that runs along the highway where my office is located. I returned feeling energized and was more productive for the rest of the day, so I started making this a regular practice, and I’m so thankful that we’ve been having so many beautiful spring days so I can do so.

I’ve also been enjoying long walks in the spring air in general. My favorite hiking trails can be quite muddy and, therefore, tricky to navigate this time of year, plus several close in the spring for elk migration and, so, I’ve been taking to the pavement and wandering around my neighborhood, and up Vail Pass, while listening to good books on Audible.

I just finished “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins. Have you read this yet? It seems like everyone’s talking about it right now. If you’re a fan of “Gone Girl” then it’s a must-read. Now I’m deep into Amy Poehler’s “Yes Please” and am finding myself looking for any excuse to listen. It’s hilarious and just plain perfect. I really recommend the audiobook version of this one since Poehler herself gives the performance, along with an all-star cast of her friends and colleagues. I guarantee you’ll find yourself cracking up like a crazy person as you wander around your neighborhood.

2. Daffodils and green grass (even if they’re dusted with snow). In fact, the vibrant new growth of spring is almost more beautiful when set against the black, white and gray backdrop of a snowstorm. I love the promise of summer, which, as I’ve mentioned previously, is my favorite time of year here. I love the anticipation of a new season and I love watching the landscape change as it approaches.

3. Fun Vail events. Last week Friday, as I was heading out the door for work, a friend called and offered me a free ticket (thanks, Claire!) to the Taste of Vail’s annual Mountaintop Picnic. It had been a busy, grueling week in the office and my employees were both taking the day off, so I decided to play hooky and joined some of my favorite people for an afternoon of tasting amazing food and wines in the sun on Vail mountain.

4. Vacation time. There are few jobs in a resort town that don’t follow some sort of seasonal ebb and flow of busy seasons. And mine is no different. Our winter season at the Vail Symposium ended a couple weeks ago and, while that by no means translates into a lighter workload, it does mean that I can sneak in a week of much-needed vacation time. So I’m heading out mid-week to join some friends for a few days of biking, camping and exploring in Sedona, Arizona. I can’t wait to write about it when I return. Let me know if you have any must-sees or dos for while I’m there!

Those four sweet simple things are what I love most about this spring right now. What’s your favorite thing about this season?