Community members excited to spend time outdoors this spring

By Jazmine Knight

The spring season is officially here, and St. Joseph residents are looking forward to taking advantage of the temperatures.

Typically, spring begins March 20 or 21 but because of the leap year, the 2024 spring equinox takes place at 10:06 p.m. March 19. This is the earliest start to spring in 128 years.

Over the last couple of years, the equinox time has slowly crept earlier and earlier. In 2020, the spring equinox occurred on March 19 at 10:50 p.m.

Across St. Joseph, residents are eager to bask in the springtime in various ways. However, a common thread among residents is that they all want to spend as much time outside as possible.

Resident Carolyn Clemens said she’s looking forward to working outside and walking the streets.

“Yard work. I do love yard work … Mainly flowers. We have shade gardens,” she said.

Three friends, Kortny, Lilyenne and Emily, said they’re looking forward to shopping and taking a girls trip.

“I like going down to the river in South Missouri and kayaking. And then we do quite a few hikes during the springtime, too,” Lilyenne said.

“I’m ready for the winter to be over,” she added.

For moms Misty Love and Stephanie Hartman, they’re both looking forward to showing their sons the beauty of springtime.

“I enjoy going to the parks with my son and going on nature walks, finding new state parks and places to explore,” Love said. “Sometimes we try to go fishing, but we’re not very good at it.”

Love was surprised that spring is only just starting because of the warmer temperatures lately.

“I thought spring started in February this year because it’s been so warm. I’ve enjoyed it. There’s been some years we haven’t even had a spring, so I’ve enjoyed the nice weather here.”

Hartman wants to take her son to some of the St. Joseph parks.

“I’m excited to do that this year because he’s getting to the age where he’s finally going to be enjoying it,” she said.

She said her favorite part about spring is seeing nature come alive again.

“I do like seeing all the flowers bloom and the trees come back. They don’t look so dead,” she said. “Spring’s just a lot prettier than winter, if you ask me.”