The winter woods are calling us to adventure from every corner of Northeast Ohio. Don't let any cold and grumpy ideas tell you otherwise.
Our thickest stands still have rivers running through them, only now they're tinkling and slapping out songs against glassy ice banks.
The trees may be bare, but they are drawing lines optimistically to the sky and bearing buds for spring.
And while the ground is snow-covered, it reveals the tracks of creatures that live a busy, constructive life in the so-called gray season.
Parks and museums are making the most of all this. All we have to do is dress right (see accompanying story) and venture out into the often peaceful world of snow, bark and sky.
Take a look at what we highlight today, from horse-drawn carriage rides to guided nature tours to snowshoe rentals. There's plenty more if you use our contact information to check program listings.
Give yourself a chance to get some fresh air, renew your body with exercise and stimulate your mind with awesome sights.
Peace and quiet
The brochure for the self-guided Mindy Henning Memorial Trail near Youngstown ushers you into a cluster of pines. "As you walk amid these fragrant giants, hear how their dense branches muffle sounds," it says, encouraging you toward that soothing sensation. This 2-mile hiking trail offers lessons for forest, field and farm on a 400-acre property with a 10-mile bike-and-hike trail. Identify trees, watch birds, look for evidence of deer and hawk in the snow. Join other hikers on the bike trail 4 p.m. Sunday, and 9 or 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2.
Details: Mindy Henning Memorial Trail, MetroParks Farm at Mill Creek MetroParks, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield. Maps at administrative building or kiosk at northwestern corner of parking lot; millcreekmetroparks.org; 330-702-3000.
Lynn Ischay, The Plain DealerThe sound of riffling water can be more musical in winter as it catches the ice on the banks. Hear this song at Euclid Creek Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks.Tracks near home
Don't want to drive far? Stop by Euclid Creek Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 29, for a naturalist-led search for animal tracks. This relatively narrow stand of trees along a well-used roadway teems with natural life. Want an online taste of what's ahead? Check out the winter woods video sponsored by Geauga Park District at geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Details: For tracks hike at Euclid Creek Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks, meet at Welsh Woods Picnic Area, halfway between Highland and Green roads, South Euclid; clemetparks.com; 216-351-6300.
Ride through the snow
Consider a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snowy landscape on Sunday, Feb. 13 (and, if there's enough interest, Saturday, Feb. 12) at Brecksville Stables, part of the Cleveland Metroparks' Brecksville Reservation. This Valentine's Day event will raise money for the nonprofit stables. Tickets ($35 per couple, $50 for a family of four) get you a 15- to 20-minute ride behind a team of grand draft horses. If there's enough snow, they'll switch to a sled. Hot chocolate and chocolates for sale to anyone who stops by to see the horses.
Want more in the Cuyahoga Valley? Cleveland Metroparks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit County Metroparks have plenty, including a "Half-Past Winter Hike," at O'Neil Woods Metro Park (7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 3; 2550 Martin Road, Bath). Find valley events easily by date at dayinthevalley.com.
Details: For carriage rides, go to Brecksville Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks. Find stables on Chippewa Creek Drive between Valley Parkway and Parkview Road, Brecksville. Reservations necessary at kings3horses@yahoo.com or 216-990-9880.
Lynn Ischay, The Plain DealerDowny woodpeckers and especially chickadees welcome hand-feeding at Brecksville Reservation on winter weekends.Wrap yourself in quiet
It's been a good year for snowshoeing, and if it continues to pile up, Lorain County Metro Parks is prepared with frequent rentals. One of the best sites to "float" above the deep snow is French Creek Nature Center, where a massive 450 acres and three creeks await you. Shoe rentals available at French Creek 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 23, and 10-11:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 21. Shoes free with valid driver's license.
The nature center has plenty of other outdoor programs, and indoor exhibits to help you warm up later. Snowshoe rentals rotate to other Lorain reservations.
Also find rentals south in Cuyahoga Valley National Park's two Peninsula locations (weekends and holidays at Winter Sports Center, 1000 Truxell Road and daily at Boston Store Visitor Center, 1548 Boston Mills Road; nps.gov/cuva; 330-657-2752 ) and east at Chapin Forest of Lake Metroparks (10381 Hobart Road, Kirtland; lakemetroparks.com; 440-256-3810).
Details: For snowshoeing at French Creek Nature Center, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield, go to metroparks.cc/french-creek-nature-center.php or call 440-949-5200.
Deep in Medina
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the donors of the 33.5-acre Medina Sanctuary regard this property as off-limits to the public except for museum business. So sign up for a $12 museum program ($8 for members) 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, when three of the area's top-rated naturalists -- Judy Semroc, Stanley Stine and Larry Roche -- take you on a full-blown search for signs of spring. The landscape is beautiful -- and musical -- along the west branch of the partly frozen Rocky River, and the stand of massive cottonwoods and community of more than 30 rustic heron nests present a powerful image against the winter sky.
Details: For sanctuary reservations, contact Cleveland Museum of Natural History (directions with registration), cmnh.org; 216-231-4600, ext. 3279.
How to stay warm outdoors
Unlike a football game where you have to sit and struggle to keep warm, physical activity outdoors boosts your circulation and helps you warm up.
Dress in layers so you can remove some as needed.
Consider chemical-reaction warming pads (from sporting-goods stores) for easily chilled hands and feet. Wear a hat; it keeps a lot of body heat from escaping. Consider wearing the warmest materials, a down jacket and non-itchy wool socks such as Smartwool.
Don't wear shoes and boots that are too tight and restrict circulation.
Insulated, waterproof footwear is best, not skimpy sneakers that will cheat you out of a good time.
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