It is 20 degrees and there is so much snow in my yard I cannot pile it any higher. This Chicago winter has beaten down the best of us. I feel like an old boxer getting pummeled after one too many fights.

ID 25443266 © Garsya | Dreamstime.com

Although winter doesn’t officially end for another month or so, I am officially declaring it over. This might sound crazy, but it would make more sense if you saw that I was writing this while drinking a frozen margarita on a beach in Marco Island, Fla. Once again, travel provided my relief and my answer.

I am enjoying a week with my family in southern Florida. By the time I return, Chicago should be in its first stages of thawing for good. Whatever punches it still might have will not have much impact at this point.

Marco Island and the frozen margaritas have certainly lightened my mood, but I am jumping into spring because of several more trips.

When I return, my nephew and I are heading to Rockford, Ill., to catch another Rockford IceHogs hockey game. They will be playing the Rochester Americans, coached by my namesake. I plan on meeting up with Coach John Wroblewski post-game.

A couple weeks later, my friends and I are bound for Benton Harbor, Mich., for our baseball fantasy draft. This year it will be held lakeside, and I am hoping it will be outdoors (something has to take my mind off the horrible team I will draft).

The first week of April I am heading to Milwaukee, Wis., with the Chicago Bliss women’s football team as they kick off the 2014 Legends Football League season. The 2013 LFL champion Bliss appear even bigger, faster and stronger than last year.

In May and June, I have trips to Indianapolis and Detroit for conventions. I have a baseball trip to an undetermined place for later summer. I also have a trip to Las Vegas which coincides with the LFL title game in September. Hopefully, the Bliss will be playing in it, but Vegas is always fun, no matter what.

Including this one, that makes eight planned trips. I am sure more will be added. I will be busy having fun. After a winter like this, it will be great to get out and experience things again!

— John Wroblewski, online contributor