The calendar insists it’s spring, but northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan clearly didn’t get the memo. Instead, we’ve been treated to a rotating lineup of blizzards, ice storms, and that special brand of false hope where the snow melts just enough to make everything muddy before locking back up overnight. It’s less “spring thaw” and more “winter encore.”
By late March, most of us had already started shifting gears. Maybe you pulled a bin or two out of storage, reorganized some gear, or started talking about that first trip of the season. The sun stuck around a little longer, the air softened just enough, and for a moment it felt like we were turning the corner.
Then came another storm. And another. And another.
It’s easy to get impatient this time of year. The in-between season always drags, but this one feels particularly stubborn. Trails look almost ready until they aren’t. Roads cycle between thaw and refreeze. Everything feels just close enough to tempt you, but not quite ready to follow through.
But maybe that’s not entirely a bad thing.
A longer winter forces a different pace. It gives us time to actually prepare instead of just reacting to the first hint of warmth. Time to go through the recovery kit and realize what’s missing. Time to install the parts that have been sitting in the garage since November. Time to download maps, check seasonal closures, and make a real plan instead of a hopeful guess.
It also gives the land a little breathing room. Spring thaw is fragile, and pushing into trails too early does more harm than most people realize. Waiting a bit longer—letting things dry out, letting the snowpack finish its job—means better conditions later and fewer regrets along the way. And then there’s the anticipation. As frustrating as it can be, a delayed spring has a way of making that first real trip feel better.
So maybe this extended stretch of winter isn’t just bad timing. Maybe it’s a reminder that not everything needs to happen the second we’re ready for it. There’s value in slowing down, in preparing well, and in letting things come together when they’re actually ready.
Oh, heck, I am not even ready for the season and I take back everything I just said.
I want to go camping. Now.
-Cindy
Thanks and shout-out to TRUKD, Flat Peak, Inspired Overland, Black Rhino Wheels, Midland Radio and All Dogs Offroad for making my truck awesome. Use code “NorthInspired” at Inspired Overland for 10% off one of their cool, ultralightweight rooftop tents.
