Great ideas for staving off March blues

Storyteller Garrison Keillor says March is God's way of showing people who don't drink what a hangover is like.

He's not far from wrong, although this month has had its pleasant days, and next week will bring not only St. Patrick's Day -- speaking of hangovers -- but, on Thursday, the first day of spring.

If you are feeling somewhat blue, it's a good time to think about getting outdoors in the spring sunshine to enjoy what Nebraska has to offer.

It's nice to know -- speaking of blue -- that there's much to do within the range of one tank of that $4 gasoline that's expected to arrive with the coming of summer.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has released a list of suggestions for things to do outdoors this spring.

Many of them are quite a few miles away, although still in Nebraska, but perhaps they'll trigger other ideas for outings close to home.

Here they are:

* Observe the Sandhill crane migration along the Platte River from Grand Island to Overton and along the South Platte River between Sutherland and Hershey, and in the North Platte area. Do it soon, however, as they'll be gone in a month.

* Canoe the Niobrara River and visit Smith Falls State Park, home of Nebraska's highest waterfall.

* Try tent camping in a state recreation area or wildlife management area.

* Take the family fishing during the bluegill spawn from mid-May to mid June.

* Attend Rock Creek Days at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park June 7-8, and see wagon ruts, a Pony Express re-enactment and "Wild Bill" Hickok shoot David McCanles again, like he did in 1861.

* Visit Indian Cave State Park and hike along the Missouri River.

* See herds of buffalo and longhorns at Fort Robinson State Park, and see where Crazy Horse was stabbed to death by a soldier's bayonet in 1877.

* Bike a section of the Cowboy Trail between Norfolk and Ainsworth.

* Try out trout fishing at Pine Glen or Long Pine wildlife management areas along Long Pine Creek near Long Pine or on the East Branch of Verdigre Creek north of Royal.

* Visit the Rhino Barn at Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park between Orchard and Royal, and see skeletons of animals that were entombed by volcanic ash in prehistoric times.

We're sure you can think of many other outdoor activities, such as golfing, heading to a local lake or even just going for a walk outdoors.

The main point is, get out there and do it. It's the best way to shake off that March hangover.