Every time I look at this photo, I think someone ought to place a John Muir quote on it — probably “the mountains are calling and I must go.”
They wouldn’t be wrong to do so (unless they have the Photoshop ability of a five-year-old) — that’s part of why I chose this picture. It embodies spring for me — the feeling you get when the weather starts to warm, the itch that compels you outside, the insatiable desire to be in nature. For me, the mountains really are calling, but my response lately has been “please wait, I’m studying for a quantum mechanics midterm.” Actually, I’m not even enrolled in a quantum mechanics class. In fact, I’m not sure I even know what quantum mechanics are. I’ve just been too busy with school and work to realize that.
But Spring Break will be my chance (and hopefully yours, too) to take a break from the semester and see green trees, take a hike, go on adventures, and plan a trip. After all, if we’re to believe Mr. Muir, we “must” go — it’s not optional. Plus, if Punxsutawney Phil is right, we can expect some warm spring weather to accompany us (can we all just take a minute to appreciate the beauty of getting a forecast from a supposedly prophetic groundhog? I just love it).
So to help you take advantage of an early spring and your compulsion to get outdoors (which I fully sympathize with), we’ve crammed this issue full of trips you can take either for Spring Break or for some other escape in the coming weeks. You’ll find stories guiding you to Lava Hot Springs, Newport Beach, and Moab. We’re also featuring photos from Arcata, Calif., as well as a gear review of the essential items to pack for any Spring Break vacation.
We hope these pages offer proof of the good times you can have when you follow the call of the mountains.
@CourtneyLTanner