One of my favorite "rite of spring" passages is a trip into the woods in Rome.

The hike up Mount Philip is great on snowshoes in the winter, but I prefer to make the trip in a pair of sturdy hiking boots. Two reasons -- the weather is a little warmer, obviously, so some of the snow melts, and once the trees start to bud, it's a gentle reminder of the promise of life which spring holds.

Timing is everything when it comes to this short, family-friendly jaunt.

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