The Times, They Are A Changing!

Well, from all indications Spring has sprung! The weather is turning warmer, birds are once again in abundance, and best of all outdoor activities are once again in our plans. Of course, along with the good comes the bad not-so-good, such as mowing grass, pollen, and stinging insects. From my perspective, it’s a good trade-off.

I’ve spent the past week or so helping my John Deere riding mower celebrate its 25^th birthday with new belts, bearings, and well-deserved oil change, and now it’s almost ready to tackle another summer’s worth of grass. While doing so I happened to glance over and see the first red wasp of the season, and it reminded me that now is the time to keep an eye out for nest building activities around the house. Although I do understand the beneficial nature of the evil looking little critters, no one wants an unexpected confrontation with a dozen or so of them when they’re angry. By the way, if you are one of those unfortunate souls with a severe allergy to bee stings now is an excellent time to check the expiration date on your Epi-pen; be sure to ask your doctor for a new prescription if yours is out of date.

One of the great things about living in Montgomery County is the Huckleberry Trail and with the new extension almost completed, with the exception of one set of hand rails, this is the perfect time to break out the walking shoes or bike and make the most of the wonderful weather. Along with the Huckleberry Trail, there are a number of other great places to hike, bike, and ride horseback in the area; there is no excuse to spend your days inside, let’s get out and move a little!

Among the outdoor events that will be on the calendar for the summer are Up On The Roof, which starts the 2015 season on April 30^th, The Blacksburg Chocolate Festival on April 18^th, Fork & Cork on April 19^th, the International Street Fair, also on April 19^th (definitely a day to spend in Blacksburg). Don’t forget the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market, the Community Market of Blacksburg, and the new Christiansburg Farmer’s Market.

Need to get the kids up to speed on their swimming skills for the summer? Swimming lessons and lots of opportunities to practice are available at both the Christiansburg Aquatic Center and the Blacksburg Aquatic Center. Please don’t let a family outing turn into a very preventable disaster, teach your kids to swim.

This is the time to get out and about, whether your interests lie in nature, downtown, music festivals, target shooting, horseback riding, gardening, fishing, kayaking, or any number of other great outdoor activities. Be safe, be active, and get out there and make the most of life!

Happy Spring!