Once upon a time, in the land of 10,000 lakes, Aitkin Minnesotans faced an unusual dilemma — a winter without snow. Yes, you heard it right. The snow boots remained tucked away, the sleds gathered dust and the ice fishing houses … well, let’s say they experienced a bit of an identity crisis.

In this curious year, the first blooms of spring won’t have to fight through layers of snow to reach the sun. They are popping up as if to say, “What’s the holdup?” And with this unexpected turn of events, the good people of Minnesota found themselves pondering summer plans much earlier than usual.