The Seacoast of New Hampshire is a fun place to be in the winter, partly because of the variety of events that nudge you out into the cold.

If you want to get the blood pumping and extend a little bit of the goodwill of the holiday season, check out the Cocheco Valley Community Skate Days at the Whittemore Center in Durham.

Today and tomorrow, the skates happen from 6-8 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, you can skate from 5-7 p.m. Bringing along pet food for the Cocheco Valley Humane Society gets you a discount to the already reasonable rate. Bring three or more items for $2 off the family rate of $10, or $1 off the adult rate ($5) and the children younger than 12 rate ($3) with a pet food donation each.

The Cocheco Valley Humane Society seeks donations of canned and dry adult cat food; canned and dry adult dog food; hay for small animals (no straw); rabbit hay racks; small litter boxes for rabbits; cat and small animal toys; and non-clumping clay cat litter.

I invested in cross-country skis a few years ago. Although New Hampshire has some great options for downhill skiing, to me nothing beats cross-country skiing. There is something serene about swishing along a trail and taking in all the beauty of the New England countryside in winter. Plus, it’s a great workout and a great way to get out and enjoy the cold instead of huddling up inside.

That being said, last year I realized my skiing could use some help, so I am planning to take a lesson this winter. So I am particularly looking forward to this coming weekend’s Cross Country Center Open House at Gunstock.

Guests can participate in raffles, check out the new yurt, partake of free refreshments and hike the snowshoe trails for free.

Speaking of skiing, today is the last day to take advantage of big discounts on the 4 NH College Pass and Threedom Pass, which opens up discounted skiing at there mountains. Check out the details here, snow bunnies.

In many ways, I was a tomboy growing up, but when it came to horses, I was one giant cliche. I wanted my own. Or a pony. Or one of those wild horses from Assateague Island (hee… I said, “Assateague.”) I read My Friend Flicka and Misty of Chincoteague and hung posters of gorgeous, muscled mares on my bedroom wall.

Sadly, I never got a horse of my own, but  years ago, when I was a mercenary Girl Scout Camp counselor (having never been a Girl Scout, but I digress), I finally lived my dream and learned how to ride English. All summer long, every summer I worked there, I found my way down to the stables, where I usually ended up astride a flatulent but otherwise completely awesome Appaloosa named Breezin’.

It’s been >cough< more than a decade since I last cantered Breezin’ around the riding ring, but I have gotten to ride Western a few times since arriving in New Hampshire. There is nothing like it and it pleases the little girl in me to this day.

But it’s not what I’d call a cheap pastime. Which is why I think it’s kind of awesome that Charmingfare Farm in Candia is offering folks a $15 savings on their guided horseback trail rides through Sept. 30. You have to book online and use the promo code rideahorse to take advantage of the savings.

So, if you or someone in your life likes to dream about riding the open range, git along little doggies and book your trail ride today.

Know of any other cheap places to ride? E-mail me with your tip!

A looooong time ago, in a commonwealth far, far away, I took salsa classes before I moved to New Hampshire. They were held every Saturday morning at the local community college. I don’t remember the cost exactly, but it was six or eight weeks for somewhere around $60.

I loved that class. I started taking it about a year before the summer of Latin music took over. Do you remember that? When JLo was still Jennifer Lopez. Before Marc Anthony needed to know anything and before Santana and Rob Thomas got seven inches from the midday sun.

For years since moving back to New Hampshire, I’ve toyed with the idea of taking dance class again. This week, I took a zumba class at my gym, and it was so much fun it made me realize how much I missed salsa.

Buuuut. A gym  membership and dance class? That starts looking like a pretty pricey endeavor for this singleton on a budget.

There are some things in life that are worth spending money on, however. I put health waaay up at the top of the list. I was slimmer and fitter taking salsa classes. And it made me happy and gave me confidence in ways I can’t even put into words without sounding like an infomercial. So, in my mind, you can’t put a price on that.

However… Queen City Ballroom does offer beginner sampler classes every Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5:15. The 45-minute classes are on a four-week rotation, so you can try out foxtrot and swing one week, waltz and hustle the next, salsa and tango the next and then wrap it all up with the rhumba and cha cha. The classes are only $9 each, and for your first visit, you can print out a free coupon. (I  know it says Thursday, but if you check out the site, they honor it on Friday.)

You don’t need a partner, either, which is a relief. I am not sure my sweetie would be down for salsa. My boyfriend in PA certainly wasn’t.

I think before I go balls to the walls and sign up for the weekly Monday class at 8 p.m., I might as well check out the sampler. Better to see if I can still cha cha without busting something besides a move.

Any other great dancing deals out there? I’m all ears (and left feet, but we’re working on that).

Volunteering doesn’t pay.

Well… Not in dollars, of course. But you can’t buy the satisfaction of having made a difference now — can you? Of course not! And believe me, there’s nothing better.

This weekend offers a few different opportunities to get outdoors and give back, thanks to New Hampshire Trail Day on Saturday.

You can head over to Beaver Brook in Hollis with your work gloves and water bottle. Doughnuts and coffee will be provided.

In the White Mountains, work continues on the rock step construction at Old Bridle Path. Moving those big rocks is not as hard as you think! But there will be lighter-duty projects, as well. For more information and to register for this project, contact William Darcy at 224-0709.

Since I landed in New Hampshire almost 10 >cough cough< years ago, I have wanted to try kayaking. Before I came up here, I imagine everyone in New Hampshire kayaked all the time — to get groceries, to go to work, to cruise each other at night. I envisioned this perfectly fit, outdoorsy world up here.

Although it’s not quite the case, lots of folks do engage in some serious paddling. (And not the kinky kind, although probably that, too. I’m not here to judge.)

State parks like Pawtuckaway are a great way to get started. You can rent kayaks or canoes there with a driver’s license and $4 admission per adult, plus $10 per hour in a rental. Or you can mix things up a bit and can trek on up to Saco Bound Outdoors in North Conway with a half-off certificate for a weekday rental here.

So go on. Get your outdoorsy freak on. And do it at a fraction of the cost.

If you consider yourself an outdoorsy sort (or are just looking to break into the outdoorsy clique), national parks offer a treasure trove of natural beauty. But if you’re watching your budget, even a modest entry fee could be problematic.

Luck is on your side. This summer, the U.S. National Park Service is offering three Fee-Free Weekends:

- June 20-21
- July 18-19
- August 15-16, 20

If you’re hitting the road, in addition to the entrance fees, many of the concessionaires are offering specials in conjunction with the Fee-Free Weekends. Check out a full list here.

The only park on New Hampshire’s list is the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in Cornish, but it’s a doozy and worth the trip.

Now for the bad news…

In sort of related news, New Hampshire’s state parks are in a bit of trouble. Check out the list of parks that may be up for lease or sale here.

Super depressing. Our parks are surely some of our state’s greatest assets.

New Hampshire is dripping with natural splendor. Dripping, I tell you! And maybe the best view ever — from atop Mount Washington.

I really don’t recommend making the trek up the mountain as a hiker if you’re going to be an idiot about it and not properly prepare yourself. There are so many stories about people meeting their end on the famous mountain that there was even a book about it — Not Without Peril, which I can summarize thusly:

Meet So and So. He is a brilliant young Something or Other. He is adored by family and friends. But don’t get too attached to him because one day, he goes for a hike up Mount Washington AND DIES.

I kid you not. It’s a great and fascinating read, but it also serves as a pretty solid reminder that hiking Washington should not be taken lightly.

Now, driving, on the other hand, is a slightly different story. Far fewer folks have died driving up the road.

(Wow, I’m really selling this as a destination, huh? Maybe I should retitle this blog entry, “Climb OF DEATH.”)

Why have so many people risked their lives over the years to see the summit? Because it’s breathtaking. It’s the kind of thing you ought to see before you die.

If you take the auto road, it’s a good idea to have your car checked out before you go. You naturally want to make sure you’ll be able to stop when you need to and all those pesky details. You should also make sure your car can go up the Auto Road. About 8 years ago, my then-sweetie and I trekked out in his automatic Honda Civic, just to be told that car wasn’t allowed up the mountain. We ended up riding in the van instead, which meant no “This car climbed Mount Washington” bumper sticker for us.

The trip is not what I’d call cheap. It’s $23 for a car and driver; $14 for a motorcycle and operator; $8 for each additional adult; and $6 for children ages 5-12. Younger children get in free, but they probably won’t remember it. And remember it they should.

There are times when a splurge is worth it, though. And compared to, say, a jaunt off to Paris, the Auto Road is not that much of a splurge. If you want to see something really extraordinary, there are three times this summer that the road will be open in time for sunrise.

That’s right. You can watch the sun come up over the most spectacular view in the Northeast on June 28, July 26 and August 30. Set your alarm and put the coffee on. It will totally be worth it.

Trust me. How often in your life do you get to see something so beautiful? It might be the best money you spend all summer.

On Friday, June 12, some of the most incredible (and unusual) artists will arrive on the shores of Hampton Beach for the town’s annual sand sculpting competition.

Organizers truck in sand from a quarry in Hudson to supplement the stardust-like sand at Hampton. Competitors add just water to their medium, but they come armed with a crazy toolkit of feathers, pastry knives, shovels and even straws to shape their creations. It is amazing to watch them work.

It all began in 2000 when the U.S. Mint commissioned Greg Grady to create the tail side of the state quarter at the Hampton Beach Childrens Festival.

That was just the beginning. The competition started the following year.

This year, 200 tons of sand will be trucked in for 15 masters to mold, each hoping to take home the $15,000 purse and bragging rights.

There is no charge to check out the work. From June 13-17, the sponsor site will be created.

June 17 features the sponsor grand finale and a master carve. The solo competition runs from June 18-20. Visitors can vote on the People’s Choice award from 1-4 p.m. June 20, with the awards ceremony at 8 p.m. that day. That night there will be a special fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

If you want to learn how to make these beachside creations yourself, free lessons are available from 1-3 p.m. June 18-20. Sign-up is required, in person, on the day of the lesson, at the town Chamber of Commerce Office, which is near the sculpting site.

The sculptures will be left standing and illuminated at night through June 28.

I’ve always loved the idea of rock climbing, but the thought of crashing to my death? Eh, notsomuch.

Thankfully, Manchester has a fabulous climbing gym in Vertical Dreams. It is all the fun of climbing with slightly less peril.

A beginner lesson is $35, including a belay lesson, harness and shoe rental, and a climbing pass. That’s not a bad deal to learn and you know what they say. Knowledge is power. Plus, if you can wrassle up a group of five or more, the price drops to $25.

Once you know what you’re doing, it can quickly become addictive and it’s $12 per day. But if you’re lucky enough to be a fellow budget babe, you can come back and climb for half price from 3-10 p.m. every Tuesday. Or, if you’re a starving college student, bring your ID along to get half off the day rate any day of the week. (Sure, you’ll have to keep flashing that goofy picture, but it’s totally worth it.)

Check out all the details at the official Vertical Dreams site.