Outdoor Pleasures Online

Crocuses are blooming, robins are flittering about and scantily clad freshmen are sprawled upon blankets in the Yard. Ahhh yes, Cambridge has arisen from the gloomy depths of slushy winter into a glorious spring. Some students will undoubtedly stay locked up in Lamont or tied to their desks, but now is better time than ever to experience the glory of nature. Just because it's Harvard, there is no need to be pasty-faced or walk around on weak legs. Get sun, get exercise and just get out. Or at least read about the outdoors at these Web sites.

Take to the skies! The Free Flight Soaring Center is dedicated to sharing the wonders of paragliding, paramotoring and hangliding. Scared? No need to be. According to the site, "in the past five years, Paragliders are now extremely safe and accidents are nearly always due to pilot error." Enjoy the ride.

http://members.aol.com/YouCanFly/

index.html

For seafarers, there are ways of getting to bodies of water beyond the Charles. Boating America has searched the state for the best lakes for small boaters.

http://www.boatingamerica.com/states/

massachusetts/massachu.htm

Experience those rocks out in the open at Rock 'N Road's Massachusetts site, which extols the virtues of MA's biggest rock: Plymouth. Check out the Boston-specific places, like the urban crags, bouldering areas and building climbs.

http://www.rocknroad.com/ma/

Use that bike for a grander trip than the trek from Currier to Johnston Gate. Bike Boston takes a comprehensive look at scenic Harold Parker State Forest, Dogtown and Gilbert Hills State Forest. Info includes trail directions, descriptions, hazards and more.

http://www.gorp.com/gorp/publishers/

falcon/bik_bost.html