Great Outdoors

From paragliding to forest bathing, there are extraordinary ways to explore nature this season. —by Jeanne O’Brien Coffey As the world shifts around us, one thing remains certain: the power of nature to soothe and delight. If you’re craving something a little less traditional than a stroll in the forest or a silent paddle across the lake, why not get off the beaten path and explore new ways to enjoys fall’s vibrant foliage or winter’s cold, crisp air? From yoga on a yacht to snowshoeing in the Rockies, the wild life is waiting for you. Here are a few ideas to inspire you. ASPEN, COLORADO Imagine soaring silent as a bird over the Rocky Mountains, taking in fall’s colorful canopy or tiny dots of skiers zipping down snow-blanketed peaks. You might literally touch a cloud during an exhilarating tandem flight with Aspen Paragliding, as thermal air pockets help you soar at 25 to 30 miles per hour. No experience is needed and there’s no jumping off a mountain— passenger and instructor take a few running steps down a gentle slope before the glider lifts seamlessly off the ground. aspenparagliding.com ; 970.925.6975 Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Take a single-day snowshoe trip with Aspen Alpine Guides, or get the ultimate backcountry experience with an overnight stay in Colorado’s 10th Mountain Division Hut System. In winter, you can snowshoe or Telemark ski to one of these rustic cabins, found at an elevation of 9,700 to 11,700 feet and equipped with beds, bathrooms, and kitchen facilities, and connected by more than 350 miles of trails running between Aspen, Leadville, and Vail. The views will take your breath away, but be prepared—you’ll be carrying food, clothing, and avalanche safety gear on your back at altitude for six or seven miles between huts. aspenalpine.com ; 970.925.6618 LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK Woman tourist at the beach near Montauk Lighthouse, Long Island, New York, USA. The Japanese have recommended shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, for decades, as a way to improve physical and mental well-being by reconnecting with nature. But you can get in touch with your own wild side close to home, on a trek through Prosser Pines Nature Preserve in Middle Island with Linda Lombardo, the first certified forest therapy guide on Long Island. Prosser Pines is one of the oldest surviving white pine forests on the eastern U.S. seaboard, with a constant green-needle canopy that restricts sunlight, inviting easy off-trail wandering. In fall, deciduous beech and cherry stands burst with color, and in winter the preserve is full of greenery when most parks have barren branches. During a two-hour walk, Lombardo helps participants slow down, open their senses, and notice the beauty around them. You might explore a tree, create forest floor art, or tune in to pleasing colors and textures in the woods. wildheartnatureconnection.com ; 516.238.0059 Prefer to commune with animals? From December through April, the waters around Long Island are dotted with seals. Sharp-eyed observers can see their black heads bobbing in the water, though it’s much easier with binoculars. Spot them from the Harbor Seal Watch Spot at Jones Beach, as well as at Montauk State Park, or book a seal-watching tour from Freeport with Captain Lou Fleet. A heated cabin and a snack bar keep things cozy while a naturalist shares information about the biology and habits of these cold-water-loving creatures. captloufleet.com ; 516.623.5823 HOUSTON, TEXAS Houston ranks number 1 in parkland among the 10 most populous cities in the U.S., with 23.6 acres per 1,000 residents. That’s nearly double the national average. The 53-mile Buffalo Bayou offers a superb perspective from which to take it all in. It’s enticing year-round, but fall and winter are ideal times for kayaking, when the weather is cooler and you can have a stretch all to yourself. Enjoy stunning views of the skyline, as well as Hogg Bird Sanctuary and the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony. Rent a kayak or book a tour through Bayou City Adventures. bayoucityadventures.org ; 713.538.7433 Away from the city’s bright lights, get up close and personal with the cosmos at George Observatory, part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. During the Starry Night VIP stargazing experience, the observatory’s director of astronomy offers an exclusive viewing of the night sky through a 36-inch Gueymard Research telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the U.S. regularly available for public viewing. With incredibly precise optics, the telescope brings the phenomena of deep space, the planets, and the solar system into sharp focus. hmns.orggeorge-observatory ; 281.242.3055 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Fresh snowfall provides a unique seen of the California desert A three-hour photo tour of Joshua Tree National Park, the closest national park to Los Angeles and San Diego, offers an ideal opportunity to learn about landscape composition and the right settings to use to capture stunning images, even with a smartphone. Local guides from Joshua Tree Workshops steer participants toward the best spots for a combination of pure awe and great images during every season. You can capture especially delightful pictures when it snows. Of course, the trips are held at sunrise and sunset, when the light is spectacular.  joshuatreeworkshops.com What could be more Southern California than yacht yoga? A partnership between Dana Point Wharf and iHeartYoga offers sun salutations on a 50-foot catamaran. This 45-minute vinyasa flow, designed to deepen your connection with the water while challenging your balance, is sometimes available for public bookings and always available to charter for up to eight. You can customize the experience depending on whether you crave a soulful flow, an upbeat power class, or a relaxing meditation. As a bonus, you might see sea lions, seals, and the occasional inshore bottlenose dolphin. iheartyoga.orgyachtyoga ; 949.496.5794, ext. 2