LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — It's hard to tell it's February with blue skies over the greens at Marjon Golf Course near Mount Cobb and action off the tee box.
Mike Goodwin runs the maintenance department at Marjon and says the owner saw the forecast and figured golfers would be itching to play this week.
"The earliest this place has been open. Normally, sometime in March, we get underway, but with today and tomorrow's weather, why not?" said Goodwin.
It didn't take long for that decision to pay off.
Tim Messer and John Ujobai were the first golfers to show up when Marjon opened. They couldn't wait to take their first swings of the season in the sunshine.
"I'm going out and I'm going to loosen up and I'm going to hit some balls in the woods!" said Messer.
"I wanted to be outside. I got cabin fever, well I had cabin fever. I even went fishing yesterday," Ujobai said.
It is still February and the pair came dressed just in case it was a bit cooler than they expected.
"I'm dressed for it and you get rid of the chill anyway when you start swinging so it works out good," said Ujobai.
The sun is also a welcome sight for skiers at Montage Mountain who love skiing in these spring-like conditions.
Those hitting the slopes probably needed to shed a few layers as the day went on.
"It's a bit less restrictive, you have more range of motion rather than having the heavy winter clothes on so it's nice," said Korissa Hobbs from Delaware.
Officials at Montage say the colder temps at night this week have allowed them to make and maintain the snow.
Martin Ritsick was getting on his skis for the first time this season and was pleased with the conditions.
"Excellent! The snow is great, smooth, and it looks like they've groomed it. So far I didn't fall so that's a plus!" said Ritsick.
Whichever activity you prefer in this weather, get out there and soak up the sun while you can!