By: Erik Hare
The sun is out, the leaves are budding, and the patio umbrellas are being cranked open at the local patios. Add the nose-grabbing aroma of meat on the grille and the thwack! of a tablecloth in the breeze, and it’s spring in Minnesota.
This may seem odd to those of you living in places where spring arrived long ago, but I think we finally hit our stride. There are people out reading in the park, watching the parade of improbable prom dresses go by on a Saturday night. More importantly, the local bars and coffee houses have their outdoor sections open all down West Seventh Street.
Minnesotans only seem dark and deep when it’s cold out. Frankly, there’s not much else to do, other than cultivate frostbite. Warm weather in Saint Paul is to be enjoyed, because spring comes once a year. That may not seem profound, but there is a time in January when you have to remind yourself. Right now? We get to put our feet up and soak it all up. You want to reach someone by phone on a Friday afternoon? Try again next winter! Everyone’s down at the patio having a few at places like McGovern’s (pictured).
Spending time outdoors is a big part of our ritual for the summer. When the days become 16 hours long in June, there’s a lot of sun to bask in. That’s part of why we have so many outdoor patios to while away the long hours. It has to be enjoyed while we have it. And in Saint Paul, we do.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I see an empty spot in the picture. They tend to go fast!
