It all started with Patty saying “I want to go to the bridge and see the turtles”. This lead to a 30 mile bike ride and the turtles – they would not disappoint. The unseasonably warm weather here in North East Ohio has encouraged wildlife to venture out and sit in the sun. It was snowing this time last year, but this year it has already reached 80 degrees. The pictures of the turtles are from a bridge in Akron and another north at Beaver Creek.

This year so far we have seen turtles where we normally would not see them and we have even spotted beavers, although we do not have a picture of them. It is neat to see the turtles and be able to take bike rides in March, but I think it will be more impressive in a few months when the lily pads are all over the place and there are fish and other things swimming around. Everything will look so much more alive.

One great thing that could happen this year is if it does not rain every single week. Last year was a record breaking year for rainfall in Ohio, and it made bike rides far fewer and further between than I think any of us would have preferred.