Things are finally looking up weather-wise. I know we probably aren’t totally out of the woods just yet but we’ll take the good stuff any time we can get it, especially at this time of the year.

The first part of the week there were a handful “die-hard” ice fishermen sitting on the ice in the channel where the open water seemed to be only a casting distance away. Now I like eating fish as well as the next guy but I just don’t think sitting on the ice next to open water that has a current flowing under it is something I’d really want to be doing.

With the first official day of spring at hand it’s time to turn our thoughts to summer and all of the things we have going for us as Minnesotans. If you are planning a family vacation or have decided to forego the usual trip because of the economy there is still plenty to see and do without spending a lot of the green stuff. Although that seems to be getting a little harder to come by, unless of course you are an AIG executive.

Every year I state my case for camping and visiting state parks and state and national forest campgrounds. We are lucky here in Minnesota that we have so many options available to us. This year the Minnesota DNR says the reserved slots in the state parks are filling up faster than usual.

Camping can be inexpensive and for a minimal investment you can buy a pretty good tent, sleeping bags, camp stove and a lantern which are the basics you will need to start out with. Of course, as time goes by you will add more conveniences to make the camping experience even more enjoyable.

Fishing, hiking, biking and swimming are some of the things that you can enjoy while camping. Topping off the evening with your family gathered around a campfire roasting marshmallows and hot dogs or just watching the fire is great family time.

Plan ahead

The DNR has issued the following news release:

If people are thinking about packing up the kids, the dog, and the fishing gear for a weekend getaway at a Minnesota state park this spring or summer, they better not wait too much longer to make reservations, advised the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“Camper cabins and electric campsites may be hard to come by in certain parks for Memorial weekend,” said Forrest Boe, deputy director of the Parks and Trails Division, “which may mean more Minnesotans are planning to vacation closer to home this year.”

Families who just want to pitch a tent will still find plenty of sites available, but reservations for Friday and Saturday nights at the most popular parks, won’t last long, according to Boe.

For those not planning to stay overnight, there will be plenty to do for day visitors. Park naturalists have put together more than 300 programs in an effort to get families with young children outdoors this spring and summer. Programs include fishing clinics, wildflower walks, and voyageur canoe rides. For details on the place and time of these events, visit www.mnstateparks.info.

Last June, state parks began accepting reservations up to a year in advance, previously reservations could only be made up to 90 days in advance.

Reservations for the upcoming vacation season are clearly coming in strong, so make your reservations early.

The numbers below indicate the approximate percentage of Minnesota state parks’ reservable inventory that are still available for holiday weekends in 2009:

Memorial Day

Overall — 50

Electric campsites — 15

Non-electric campsites — 70

Camper cabins — 5

Lodging — 15

July 4

Overall — 66

Electric campsites — 40

Non-electric campsites — 80

Camper cabins — 25

Lodging — 35

Labor Day

Overall — 80

Electric campsites — 60

Non-electric campsites — 90

Camper cabins — 55

Lodging — 80

Minnesota state parks still make about one-third of campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis for travelers who arrive without reservations. However, Minnesota state park campsites are very popular, so reservations are recommended when it’s possible to plan ahead.

For details on Minnesota’s state parks, including descriptions of each park’s scenery, wildlife and recreational opportunities, call 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 or visit “http://www.mnstateparks.info.”

To make camping or lodging reservations, call 866-85PARKS or 866-857-2757 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, or visit “http://www.stayatmnparks.com.”

Automobilia

One thing I may have to be concerned about is my car insurance. It seems that every company whether it is an insurance company, a bank or a service organization feels compelled to send me mail telling me that they can not only give me better, but also beat my current car insurance rates. I always feel that if I’m not satisfied with my car insurance I’ll be looking around without being solicited. I guess it’s kind of like a paper version of the old door-to-door salesman.

There is also the matter of my vehicle warranty that is about to expire. Now I have a vehicle that’s never had a warranty since I have owned it but it’s now going to expire. This really makes me mad because if I’d known that I had a warranty I could have been using it. The strange thing about this is that my last-chance warranty letters started coming to my house about three years ago and I’ve been getting last chanced ever since. When the mail takes a break there are the telemarketers calling about my warranty, and of course, they said they’d gladly put me on the do-not-call list. That works great until the next time they call — and they do. Then again, I may not be able to hear the phone anyway judging by all the hearing aid information I keep getting in the mail. Maybe the warranty people should be getting that literature instead of me.

Until next time think spring, play safe and get out and enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors.

Remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers throughout the year.