Smalltown, USA has blessed all of its residents with April showers the past couple of days. But, we’re supposed to be getting flowers, not showers. I think that the months are just a little confused right now. Sorry for my poor humor.

My favorite seasons are the inbetween as I like to call them. I love spring but I love autumn equally as much. And since Mother Nature has blessed us all with the rain instead of sunshine, I decided to make a list of my 6 favorite signs of spring.

1. “I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.” -Pablo Neruda
I love the blooming of trees. The light pink and the white are all so very pretty. Especially right now with the rain, they seem to become more alive when you drive by them.

 2. Pat’s New York Style
“The best soft serve!” “Friendly place, good value for families”
I may be a little biased here, but this is my favorite part about spring. Even though this is my place of employment, I adore my boss and I love my co-workers. Not only is the food great but Pat and everyone that is working will greet you like an old friend. If you have to do one thing in Mass this spring/summer it’s gotta be eat some of this soft served ice cream.

• Address: Route 47, Hadley, MA
• Location: United States  >  Massachusetts (MA)  >  Hampshire County  >  Hadley

 3. Longer Days
The thing that I hate most about the winter is how early the sun sets, this means that there literally is not enough daylight. What I love about Spring is that there is so much more time. The sun doesn’t start setting till much later which means you can actually go outside.

 4. Taking A Hike
My friend and I decided that we were going to hike up Skinner Mountain. This should go on everyone’s bucket lists because I kid you not, we were not already fully to the top but we could see almost everything. It was one of the coolest things that I’ve probably ever experienced.

 5. Flayvor’s of Cook Farm
I figured that this was okay to advertise because not only do I know the family but they have the best hard serve ice cream in the area. Cook Farm is one of the best things that is around in Western Mass, especially in the spring and summer time. It gives you the full on farm life, with chickens roaming around and cows that are literally close enough for you to touch. And you get a delicious treat while you’re there.
My favorite “flayvors”: Chocolate Peanut Butter and Raspberry Chocolate Chip

DIRECTIONS: Flayvors of Cook Farm on South Maple St. off Rt. 9, between the malls and Bay Rd. in Hadley.

DIRECTIONS FROM I-91 — Traveling South take exit 24. Go left off ramp and take the next right. This will be Rt. 116. Go approximately 11 miles to Rt. 9. Here you go to the right and immediately merge to the left lane. Take the left at the light onto South Maple St. “Flayvors” is just 2.5 miles on the right.

Traveling North take exit 19. Go right off the ramp and over the Connecticut River. Continue on Rt. 9 through 4 lights. At the fifth light go to the right onto South Maple St. “Flayvors” is 2.5 miles on the right.

   6. It’s Birkenstock Weather!
All you Jesus shoe lovers probably knew that this was coming. I know many people are probably judging and/or rolling their eyes but let me tell you, once you break these bad boys in they are the most comfortable pair of shoes that you will ever wear. Yes, even more comfortable then Toms or my four-toed shoes. Plus, you can walk on water with them. Softball game at 4, last supper at 7 amiright Margaret???

Go outside and find food or your own favorite signs of spring, or you can sit at home and binge watch Netflix because that seems more relatable.

 Go on an adventure!

Erin