(CBS Seattle) – It may be January 3, but spring is just around the corner.

The 2013 Seattle Mariners Caravan hits the road Wednesday, January 9, with stops in Covington, Tacoma and Lacey. It’s during these stops that current and former Mariners players take part in elementary school assemblies as well as a few public autograph and photo sessions — all free.

For the first week, utility player Mike Carp, catcher John Jaso, former Mariners catcher and broadcaster Dan Wilson, broadcaster Dave Sims and the Mariner Moose will all be along for the ride.

Day 1 stops include:

• D.R.E.A.M. Team assembly for students at Covington Elementary School (12:30-1pm, 25225 180^th Ave. SE)
• Get Well visit to patients at Tacoma’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital (1:45-2:45pm, 317 Martin Luther King Jr. Way)
• Free public autograph session at Saint Martin’s University (Worthington Center) in Lacey from 4:15-5:45pm.

During the three-week period, the Caravan will stop in 26 communities across the region including Vancouver, B.C., Portland and Spokane.

Other Mariners scheduled to appear at Caravan stops include Casper Wells, Charlie Furbush, Lucas Luetge, Michael Saunders, Tom Wilhelmsen, Mike Blowers and Rick Rizzs.

A schedule of public appearances for the Caravan is available at www.mariners.com/caravan. It will be updated regularly with events and activities.