The blast of cold air greets me harshly as I exit the plane and stride onto the jetway. The first thought that crosses my mind — I am way underdressed. Wearing a thin tank top and sandals on my bare feet, I am dressed for a warm day in California. As we pick up our luggage, I search for a bathroom to layer up. What exactly do I have to don to help me brave the brisk wind I can feel coming in the doors at the airport? I change my tank top for a T-shirt and a sweatshirt over the top — the best I can do after having packed for sunny and warm southern California. I find a pair of sneakers which seem somewhat better than bare toes peeking out from sandals.
We follow the signs to the transit center, and the glass doors part, allowing the chilliness to envelop me. We climb on the bus, and ride back to Boulder, staring out at the plains, barren and wind-swept, finally arriving at the parking garage in Boulder where we left our car during our escape from winter. As we climb up Boulder Canyon, it’s apparent that winter has not left Colorado and our home of Nederland quite yet. In the darkness, we can see clumps of new-fallen snow clinging to the evergreens that line the walls of the steep-sided canyon. The closer we get to home, the more snow seems to have accumulated.
Fortunately, due to the late April sun, the roads are warm enough to allow the snow to melt, so despite the wintry scene all around us, we are able to get home safely, pulling into our driveway of our snug log home.
The house feels chilled, as we have set the thermostat at a brisk 58 degrees. Even the cats seem to realize that spring hasn’t arrived as they have burrowed inside our bed covers to keep warm. It’s hard to believe that a mere twelve hours ago, my husband and I were strolling down a beach in San Diego, wearing shorts and tank tops, warm temperatures of 70 degrees beating down on us. Even the ocean water was refreshing to wade in and look for shells.
But this is just the beginning, as today, the National Weather Service has posted yet another Winter Storm Watch. That almost sounds like an oxymoron to say Winter Storm Watch at the beginning of May, like it’s some cruel joke. But it’s not, it’s the reality of spring in Colorado. The forecast is calling from 10-20 inches of snow through the weekend, as El Nino continues to pump moisture up through the Colorado through this wet and wild spring.
Will this be winter’s last gasp for us — I wouldn’t bet on it.
