The Mountain Life

Shedding off winter Deer and moose shed their antlers in spring. Here's how to hunt for these natural treasures.   Return of the elk The herd is healthy, growing six years after its re-introduction to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.   Coasting in Connecticut Day Trip Destinations: Kayaking Around the Thimble Islands, Playing at Hammonasset Beach State Park

After a 150-year absence, elk once again are roaming in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

• Rail Trails
  Abandoned and reclaimed, old railroad lines provide new recreation in New England  

• Shedding off winter
  Deer and moose shed their antlers in spring. Here's how to hunt for these natural treasures.  

• Kidding Around
  Tips for enjoying the great outdoors with the very young  

• No child left inside
  Introducing children to the magic of the great outdoors  

• The Inferno
  Grueling Mount Washington Valley pentathlon is strenuous even for spectators  

• To Find a Moose
  Want to see a moose on your trip to Maine or New Hampshire? Here are some tips.  

• Water Wings
  Flying across a lake with a board, a sail, and muscle power -- it's the sport of boardsailing  

• Staying in shape during the change of seasons
  You can only take so much winter at the start of the season. You need to transition slowly.  

• Rail Trails
  Abandoned and neglected rail beds find a new and lofty purpose -- as recreational trails  

• Saving the sea turtles
  Late each fall, young tropical turtles wash up on the Cape Cod shores. And each fall, volunteers help save them.  

• This land is your land
  Army Corps of Engineer projects provide recreation, from fishing to camping  

• Enjoying The ''Almost Winter'' Season
  Much as I enjoy those peak foliage weeks, the quiet weeks that follow may even be better.  

• Small fry need big help
  New Hampshire need volunteers for its annual salmon stocking, other programs  

• Fun and Fit
  Annual events get people outdoors and moving in the name of charity  

• Bullfights in Canada
  Once in a lifetime adventures: Witnessing a fierce battle between bull moose in the wild northern woods  

• High on a rock
  Rock climbing: Easier than it looks, more fun than you can imagine  

• Transition time
  Mud season doesn't have to turn you into a couch potato. Try hiking and skiing on spring snow, biking and water sports.  

• Trouble for bears
  Encounters with humans often end badly for black bears. Respect them, keep your distance, and you could save a bear's life.  

• A quest for fun
  Nordic Quests offer adventure in small doses. They're ideal for families and anyone who enjoys exercise, scenery, learning and rewards.  

• Squish, splat
  Mom was wrong. It is okay to get your feet wet, especially during mud season.  

• Whitewater Rafting
  Taking a guided tour down the Kennebec River in Maine  

• Just do it
  Chores will wait, spring is short. Be prepared to get out and enjoy the nice days.  

• Golf on the fly
  It's got tees, fairways, roughs and holes, but this golf uses muscle power and flying discs instead of clubs and balls  

• Wild music
  You don't need high-priced tickets or fancy clothes to attend one of the best music performances of the spring season.  

• An even playing field
  Ski for Light brings Nordic skiing to the physically challenged  

• Horsing Around
  White Mountains are a beautiful spot to try a new sport -- horseback riding  

• Whitewater Rafting
  Whitewater outfitters and guide companies in the northeast  

• Don't Bug Me
  The AAA Bug Strategy for coping with flying and crawling (and biting) pests  

• Winter goes to the dogs
  In Maine and Vermont, dogsledding devotees expose their sport to the paying public.