Since I’m the blogger for Where & When, Pennsylvania’s Travel Guide You probably expect me to say that all seasons in PA are created equal, right? But I can’t. I’m sorry, I just can’t. It’s not winter, in general – it’s late winter that seems to go on endlessly. Early winter brings the anticipation of the holidays… the lights, shows, downtown shopping and family gatherings.

After the holidays are over we all take a deep breath and relax a little. When the snow arrives we enjoy the prospect of skiing, tubing and just playing around in the white stuff. But, something happens to me just after Valentines Day. It never fails, there is always one day in there that is sunny and the snow begins to melt. It may even hit 60 degrees! I remember last year thinking..“Maybe that groundhog didn’t lie after all. Maybe we will have an early spring.” But alas, temps in the 20’s were just 3 days away.

This year I have decided to look at all the things that I do like about this time of year, and here they are…

10. Soup. I love soup and I don’t have to worry about breaking into a sweat when I eat it.

9. Lancaster County Amish Mud Sales – named for the condition of the thawing ground, mud sales are major fundraisers for the volunteer fire companies throughout Amish communities. These sales draw people from near and far to bid on everything from handmade Amish quilts, furniture, toys, and crafts, as well as livestock, buggies, antiques and farm equipment.

8. No mosquitoes, flies or stinkbugs…yet.

7. Manure. Yes, farmers spread manure on the fields this time of year and no I don’t really enjoy the smell.  But manure in cold weather is slightly better than manure in hot weather.

6. People tend to look on the bight side of almost anything. For instance, when it rains, I hear people say, “Well, at least it’s not more snow.”

5. There are still several weeks left to fit back into your skinny(er) clothes.

4. It’s a great time to see a show or go to a museum. You won’t hear your friends say, “I’d love to go, but I hate to stay inside on such a nice day.”

3. It’s really the only time of year that 55 degrees seems balmy. Just see how you feel about 55 degrees in the middle of July!

2. There are still (give or take) 300 shopping days left until Christmas

and my favorite thing about this time of year….

SPRING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!