Enough events to make your head spin

Springtime.

The time of year when everything seems possible, outlooks are positive and the masses are outside to absorb that first dose of vitamin D.

The grass wakes from its dormant, brown funk to pull itself upright and reach for the heavens. Homeowners breathe a collective sigh at all the mowing that will ensue.

Buds burst from the trees and shrubs, flowering plants begin their cycle of wonderment. Soon vivid colors will be the norm around North Idaho.

College basketball teams from far and wide look back on the recent season, some with great victories, some with early exits from a postseason that promised so much glory (Sorry, Zags).

Spring in North Idaho came quick this year, with highs reaching the 60s in late March, and some abundant sunshine placing smiles on plenty of gloomy faces.

We survived another North Idaho winter, and I'm sure you're all thinking like I am: If the winter was as mild as it was, does that mean summer will be just as stellar?

There is much to look forward to around the area this season. You've still got a few weeks to get your yard in shape before the events calendar loads up and fills out your weekends.

Depot Day celebrates the coming of Spring with a festival on May 11 in Wallace. A sizable car show is usually the main attraction.

Car culture and sock hoppers can't miss Lost in the 50s, running May 24-26 in Sandpoint.

Head back to Wallace for the annual street fair on June 1.

Free Fishing Day is June 8, if dropping a worm in the drink and hoping to land a lunker without plopping down some dinero for a license is your thing.

Car d'Lane roars into downtown Coeur d'Alene on June 14-15. Get there early if you want to get a good seat for the Friday night cruise.

The triathletes invade the area for the June 23 Ironman Coeur d'Alene. Either rent out your house to an athlete for the week leading up to the event, or enjoy the hustle and bustle around town as the fittest of the fit go through their paces.

As always, you can hang out at City Park on July 4 and stay for a show in the sky after dusk, then head north for Bayview Daze on July 5-7. Don't miss the Post Falls Festival, which is July 8-9.

If mountain biking is your bag, you can Ride The Pass on July 21. The event, a fundraiser for local children's families, includes four distances, all starting at Fourth of July Pass east of Coeur d'Alene.

The Festival at Sandpoint runs Aug. 1-11 this year, with the lineup to be announced in mid-May.

There's a little something for everyone at the Downtown Coeur d'Alene Street Fair, Art on the Green and Taste of the Coeur d'Alenes, all happening simultaneously Aug. 2-4.

Mahogany beauties fill up The Coeur d'Alene Resort marina for the Wooden Boat Festival on Aug. 23-25.

If really fast boats are your thing, you can't miss the return of unlimited hydroplane racing to North Idaho with the Coeur d'Alene Diamond Cup, slated for Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30-Sept. 1.

Coeur d'Fondo, the around-the-lake bike ride, happens on Sept. 28. The event enters its sophomore year, following the huge success of the inaugural running last year. The ride starts and finishes in downtown Coeur d'Alene, amid the fall Oktoberfest celebration.

As always, there is no shortage of cool stuff going on in the area when it is beach weather. Start planning your summer now.

After all, no one wants to be stuck at the house, back bent over, trying to get the place presentable when there's so much you're missing right around the corner.

In other words, time to start thinking about artificial turf and getting a pet that can use the toilet.

You can attempt to reach Jerry Hitchcock at 664-8176, Ext. 2017, or via email at jhitchcock@cdapress.com.