When the kids were toddlers and pre-schoolers Bradbury Mountain State Park was about as adventurous as we could handle for a hike. As they've grown to elementary-aged kids our summer hikes have now evolved into 5-6 hour treks in the real Maine mountains, (at 469 feet elevation Bradbury Mountain can hardly be called a "mountain"). But come winter it's too cold for our youngsters to be out in the mountains for a whole day and we're all still learning a new winter sport, trail sledding. So we're staying close to home and rediscovering the local hills.

And that is how we found ourselves spending the afternoon at Bradbury again. And I once more appreciated what this local "mountain" offers. Short hikes for little legs trudging up deep snow, gorgeous winter woods scenery, a short drive from home for an afternoon activity, safe slopes to practice a new sport and lots of memories from past visits.

What's in your backyard that you haven't explored for awhile? Just because you can't be on the big slopes, in the deep powder or in the Swiss Alps, doesn't mean you can't enjoy winter.