In early 2026, my husband and I took our eight-year-old daughter on a snowy outing at Cumming Nature Center in Naples. “The Pines” area of the trails had been calling to my heart to come see it again. It was very cold at just 10 degrees with a windchill. I bundled up my daughter in all the layers needed to keep her warm enough (hat, scarf, gloves, and snow pants) while my husband got his on. Then I worked on my winter gear, and we all set out into the woods for a hike to set the tone for the New Year.

As we entered the woods it was immediately magical. For one thing, it was noticeably warmer, as the trees protected us from the wind. As soon as we rounded the corner to get to this pine section we all gasped, “Wow.” Morning sun cut sideways through the trees, the beams making tiny, powdered snow glisten in the air from the gentle breeze.

It takes effort to get outside on a cold morning, especially with a child, but it always provides some kind of fairy-tale experience. What a way to start a new day—and a new year.