End of Winter in Canada ~ Snow Bank Litter, Snow Melt Run Off, Swans Return, Ice Cream Store Opens for Summer Season, and Daylight Savings Time Begins

On a walk into Port Credit today, I could see signs of the end of winter in Canada. Some are pretty and some are pretty awful, and some are downright tasty! Yesterday's record high temperatures -- 18 C (64 F) have been replaced with today's 6 C (43 F) and pouring rain.

Credit River Winter in Canada Thaw Snow Melt

The blue green Credit River runs brown with the dirt and debris from the snow melt run off, but the returning swans don't seem to mind. The rising temperatures start the maple sap flowing and soon it's maple syrup time in eastern Canada.

Swans Under Lakeshore Road Bridge

There's usually some grain left out for the returning swans (and those that never left) across the Credit River from here, but passersby continue to throw stale bread into the water. Thankfully, most of it sinks before the hungry birds can eat it.

Mississauga Library's Snow Pile O'Garbage

While pristine snow looks lovely in and of itself, it also covers a multitude of litter sins, and the icy snow banks that take so long to thaw hold fast to the winter's litter. though this would appear to be a pile of dirt and litter, it is actually embedded in thick ice, and not going anywhere anytime soon.

Scoops Port Credit Ice Cream shop

I know it's spring when Scoops Ice Cream Store in Port Credit opens for the summer season. Scoops is a darling shop! A model train runs on a track that circles the ceiling, and if you ask nicely, the staff may do a demonstration run.

Another sure sign winter in Canada is almost done it that tonight, Daylight Savings Time begins. Spring forward, Everyone!

New Dates for 2007 Daylight Savings Time USA and Canada

2007 marks the first year that extended dates for Daylight Saving Time (DST) will be implemented. In 2007, DST will begin the second Sunday in March (this year on March 11) and end on the first Sunday in November (this year on November 4).

This will affect travelers planning itineraries for March Break. Be sure to confirm your arrival/departures times for travel over the first few weeks the changes will be in effect. (On the plus side, the days will be longer for spring skiing!)

For details for Ontario (and other Canadian provinces adopting this change), see Ontario Ministry Attorney General; For the USA, see the California Energy Commission.

And you may want to check your own computer: For computers built before the 2005 legislation was enacted, check to see if you need a patch to change the auto-DST feature for your time settings. And confirm all business meetings, etc around this frame.

While I am at it, I may as well remind Spring travelers that, this year, Holy Week begins Sunday, April 1 and runs until Easter Monday, April 9. These are important dates and travel times in much of the world, including parts of Asia, so book early to get the best routings and hotels.