Winter has come to say hello again. The last few days we have been blanketed by several snowstorms which makes it hard to believe just last week it was beginning to feel a little like spring. One of the things I love most about living here is experiencing the same areas in different seasons. One of our favorite places to keep going back to is Round Lake state park. This North Idaho park has several kid friendly hikes, a nature center, and lots of areas to enjoy the outdoors. In the summer you can swim and boat in the same lake that is currently covered by ice. Our favorite hike is the Swamp Tromp, which winds through alder thickets and over boardwalks. The lake has resident ospreys and if you look hard enough you may even find their nest tucked in along the shore. When you live in a colder climate it can be hard to motivate to get outside, but seeing an area in its winter colors makes it that much sweeter when spring starts to show up. You can appreciate the quite softness of winter even more when you have seen the same location blaring with life in the summer. It’s a joy to witness these changes through my children’s eyes. My older will point out the spot where we saw a giant mushroom in the fall, or remind me of how she loved swimming in the lake last summer. She also never fails to remind me of the time we got ice cream from the nature center and ate it on the grass lawn. Sadly, for now there is no ice cream to be had and the world is once again covered in a blanket of snow. We may be at the tail end of winter and while I am excited for spring blooms, I also want to enjoy the snow while it lasts. I truly enjoy the practice of looking forward to our next season without rushing the current one.