When spring time is about to begin...

...I urge to perceive the nature with its summerly facets. I want to make myself aware of the fact, that time is only a measurement that we determine ourselves.

This winter season is at its best and the stormy days bring a lot of snow that covers the valley in a white curtain - as fluffy and crystal-like as the snow sticks to the trees, the winter landscape almost looks romanticly kitschy. Snow shoveling has given me a good deal of soreness this winter for sure, even this morning another 30 cm of snow covered the roof of my car - it's not a problem as long as it is fresh snow, but as soon as it freezes, it takes quite a lot time to uncover my car ;-)

Anyway, I had the most active winter of my life. My new passion: cross-country skiing, classic style. The narrow boards really have become my favourite winter equipment, although the medium-level trail Egg challenged me a bit and let me struggle while descenting. But if you ascent along the track and catch a view of the Ifen, every short stumble has paid off. Clearly this winter my cross-country skis and alpine skis spent the winter in my car - ready for the next assignment.

But now it's the middle of March, mother Hulda seems to still shaking her featherbed pillows, but for me the magic of winter is slowly decreasing, especially after the sunny weeks in February. The spark has traditionally driven winter off last weekend, and my mind says it's time. Time for the summerly tingling in my stomach, time to get up in the morning with the sun, time for flower scents to breathe in.

My need of vitamin D should be filled up again by my morning runs during sunrise and end with a after-work hikes during sunset.

Back in time

I remember, last spring, when I did my first mountain hike of the summer, the 10.00 o'clock cereal bars and chocolate cookies at Güntlispitze, the view and this undescribable feeling of freedom. If I look over the mountain peaks and have reached my altitude limit for that day, my feeling of happiness briefly goes beyond the number scale. I am grateful that these mountain tours are part of my everyday life wherever and whenever it's possible.

Psst...there are so many stunning hikes - check them out!

The winter surely has its advantages, challenges me athletically as well as the summer months. But now I start to replace my alarm clock by the natural bird singing, would like to drink my coffee on saturday mornings in the sun next to the green meadow and consciously take a break, because the days suddenly feel longer again. In general I have learned to allow myself to take more time for myself - to enjoy nature more consciously, to go for a walk in the forests, the so called forest bathing, from time to time early in the morning and to start the day with a free mind.