There are two times of year when southern Idaho looks postcard perfect. One time is in the spring when everything turns green or blossoms, and the other is right after a snow storm.

We woke up Sunday morning to a blanket of snow and sunshine, and staying indoors was not an option. My wife, Shelley, and I loaded our black Lab, Annie, and headed into the Foothills for a hike.

Seeing the Foothills and valley covered with snow gave me the same feeling as the first warm, sunny day of spring. The sun reflecting off the snow was as bright as a summer day, but the chilled air felt cool and clean in my lungs.

As always, we overdressed and were shedding layers as we trudged along in the snow. The sun warmed our faces while our feet crunched fresh tracks, and Annie ran like a wild child, burying her coal black nose in the snow and kicking up little white geysers.

One of my favorite things about Idaho is being able to enjoy four distinct seasons, and when you get a sunny afternoon after a snowstorm, it makes you feel sorry for people who live in tropics.