Spring's Back

And at the risk of jinxing it, I'll welcome it here. After slogging up/down a lonely Rabbit many times this wetter-than-usual winter, today was definitely splendid. Maybe because it's the first I've ridden in 3 days after a bout of severe lower G-I distress (thanks Taco *@%). Or that it was finally sunny after--yes-- more rain. Or that it's daylight savings time again. Regardless why, the Rabbit was a highway of humanity on a Tuesday afternoon-- doggers, joggers, boarders, bladers, walkers, Cross-Fitters, strollers, street people, and yes cyclists of every type-- were all enjoying the same things: sunshine, warming temps, and Nature's serenade. Tree frogs and other croakers, squeakers, and squawkers were in full song in the low-lying sections. Things are greening up. A hawk and a turkey vulture flew low looking for supper. The Rabbit Café's parking lot was busy-- hope Sam's packing them in. Arriving downtown, it's obvious Greenville is taking off its winter coat and welcoming Spring. Parking lot attendants manned their lots and waved flags for some college baseball at Fluor Field. People strolled Main Street in droves, another reminder of this town's walking perfection. Looping around Cleveland Park, I was pleased to see it bustling, people hustling on the tennis and b-ball courts, dusting off their game. Kids, parents, dogs were everywhere. It's that time of year. Maybe why most people seemed friendlier than usual too. More drivers stopped at crossings and waved us across. Seemed easier to smile at the kids I passed, even though they were sorta in the way. I towed the trio of athletic bladers for a few hundred yards before they thanked me and dropped off. I exchanged friendlier-than-usual head nods and waves at other cyclists. Couldn't resist tossing out "hey, you lost somebody" while passing the dude commuting solo on that old tandem with the American flag on a pole. Hey he laughed back-- bet he never heard that one before. Yes it was a great day to be on the bike. And welcome back Spring, hope you're here to stay a while.