In between running, racing and such, we need to remember to stop and smell the flowers, watch the snow fly, or make it fly. With the rise in the number of people ‘hiking the Whites’, many of my favorite hikes have become way too busy, as evidenced by the crackdown on folks parking on 93 through Franconia Notch in the summer(read you’ll get a ticket if you do, not to mention they’ve put up deterrents). For those who have not found Green Woodlands in Dorchester/Orford/Lyme area yet, it’s well worth checking out. It initially started out as mountain bike/hiking trails and now they groom the trails for cross country skiing, although I have gone out on my snowshoes.

Being the recent nice weather, I took advantage and went out this weekend and I will say, everyone I saw was coming back with a smile on their face. The folks that set up the trails have put a fair amount of effort and work into it. The land is all privately owned but they do not charge any trail fees and keep it well groomed. I will say I have always gone in from the 118 side out of Dorchester and can’t really speak to the west side access near the ponds where they actually have loaner skis, I am guessing they are similarly nice and well worth checking out. So if you are looking for an alternative workout, you might give them a try and check out their website here.