A first-time cross country skier tackles the Maine woods

I started 2013 with a new outdoors adventure: Cross country skiing for the first time! It was a beautiful winter day with plenty of scenic views of snowy hills and pine-filled forests.

I can already tell this will be my new winter hobby. I liked it a lot better than downhill skiing because it was easier to learn for me -- being short with good balance -- and less stressful. My goal is to get some skis of my own next winter.

Here's the view from Mt. Blue State Park in Maine. The central Maine portion of the Appalachian Trail leads over the mountains to the right.