No place is perfect, but some come pretty darn close. When it comes to being active and enjoying the great outdoors, Maine and New Hampshire are pretty high on the list!! I am truly lucky to live in the woods, surrounded by gorgeous trees, rolling hills, ski mountains, lakes and rivers. What makes Maine and New Hampshire so wonderful is the year round activities it offers.
Living in a natural setting makes having a healthy lifestyle so easy. Being surrounded by nature helps fuel your desire to be active. Humans have a need to be outdoors, we require fresh clean air, physical activity, and sunshine! Nothing beats the smell of trees, grass, and the great outdoors! Staying active is far easier when you can do it outdoors. Life in the country is pretty fantastic! I look forward to numerous activities all year long!
Summer brings us refreshing lakes, rivers, and oceans...luckily I live 5 minutes from a lake, 10 minutes from the river, and an hour from the ocean! I get to enjoy all three!! I prefer the lake, so I spend most of my summer enjoying the sand and steady lake water! Canoeing, swimming, kayaking, and water skiing are all great water activities...but if you prefer the dry ground, the mountains are calling! Hiking is such a wonderful activity for all fitness levels. Maine and New Hampshire offer hikes for all ability levels! There are easy trails like Black Cap or Bald Peak Trail, and massive hikes like Mount Washington! The most rewarding feeling is finally reaching the summit and soaking up all the incredible views! You can also see all the beautiful sights on a bike! Both mountain biking and road cycling are a blast all summer long!
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| great photo opt before we headed back on the lake! |
Fall is one of my favorite seasons! The mild weather makes it ideal for hiking, biking, and trail running! The beautiful colors of fall make mountain views spectacular! There are other great outdoor activities like apple picking which is a great way to get local food, support local farms, and play amongst the trees! Don't forget about the raking and yard clean up!! If you need a great workout, try raking leaves!
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| After raking leaves, you can play in them! |
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| My son riding on the Mountain Division Trail |
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| Great hike up Bald Peak Trail in the Fall! |
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| My son and I on our cross country adventure |
Winter, though long and brutal, does offer fantastic outdoor activities! Skiing is probably the most popular winter sport in Maine and New Hampshire, with an abundance of ski mountains to choose from, it doesn't get any better! Cross country is also quite popular! There are many groomed trails, as well as companies which offer lessons for beginners! I recently began cross country skiing and loved it! Snow shoeing and winter hikes offer even more fun for those looking to stay off the skis! I take winter walks with my dogs often, we love the quiet of the woods during the cold months. It is very peaceful! Ice skating is a classic childhood activity, I remember skating on our pond in the back yard as a kid. The local park offers a beautiful skating rink for the whole community can enjoy!
Spring is when everything begins to awaken. The smell of 'the melt' is the best! Everything all of a sudden comes to life! My favorite part of Spring is the warmth in the air while there is snow still on the ground! All the winter activities, like skiing or snowshoeing, become a whole new experience! The snow feels different under your feet (or skis) and you can pretty much enjoy the activities without your winter gear! Spring is also when we lace up our running shoes and hit the pavement! Once the snow has melted, get back onto the trails and enjoy the mountains! If you are looking for a more low key activity, try gardening. Spring is time to get the lawn and gardens ready for the season. It is hard work, but always worth it! Fresh homegrown food is the best!
The beauty of the ever changing scenery makes Maine and New Hampshire such a lovely place to live. The fresh clean air, the variety of outdoor activities, make it easy to enjoy fitness year round! The weather, though not always perfect, is quite enjoyable! I really do like how different each season feels, each one has something fantastic to offer! It never gets boring! I can't imagine my life without nature, without the mountains, lakes, trees, and all activities that it has to offer. I look forward to what the next season will bring, as it is always different! There is something truly magical watching seasons change, it is the life cycle happening right in front of us!
