The Longest Spring

Seattle has the longest meteorological spring in the country! So says atmospheric science professor Cliff Mass in a recent blog:

Astronomical spring is, of course, the three month period from March 20/21 to June 20/21. But meteorological/biological spring can greatly differ from astronomical spring. I like to tell folks that typically spring begins in western Washington the third week in February (let's say Feb. 25th) and ends in mid-July (local meteorologists like to use July 13th).

I love celebrating the summer solstice, but as a Seattle native, it always felt like summer reliably started right after the fourth of July. Here are some highlights to say farewell to the longest spring and hello to summer—whenever it may start for you.

Razor clamming on the Washington coast

Sailing in Puget Sound

Sunset at Carkeek Park

Nephew at Easter

Hanging out in the ghost town of Terlingua, Texas

Road trip to Big Bend National Park, Texas

Hiking with Mom and nieces

Camping and climbing in the Tieton River Valley

Climbing columnar basalt for my first time

View above Lake Crescent, Olympic Peninsula

Hiking up the middle fork of the Snoqualmie River
for a bachelorette party at a hot spring

Holding my newest niece a few hours after watching her be born

Attending a dear friend's wedding in Texas in the midst of
spring thunderstorms and flooding

River swimming outside Austin

It was a fabulous spring. Bring on summer!