Welcome to the “Outdoors” issue of Cincinnati Profile!

Spring is finally here. Everywhere you look, grass is growing, trees are sprouting leaves, and flowers are in bloom. Aside from allergies and yard work, springtime is a great time to get outside and enjoy life in Greater Cincinnati!

Whether it’s a round of golf with your buddies, hiking or biking one of the many trails in the area or enjoying an outdoor concert – there’s plenty to do now that Old Man Winter has packed up and headed south for the season.

The author and his faithful farm-going companion.

Personally, I like to use the warmer weather as an excuse to get away from it all. Our family farm in Brown County provides the perfect escape without being too far from home. It’s the prefect spot to camp, hunt, hike, fish and explore. There’s something to be said about hitting the open trail – just a man, his dog and a cigar.

Of course, it’s not always about total isolationism. I love to drag my wife, Amy, away from civilization with me every now and then, too. Sometimes family and friends will meet us out there for the day as well, then gather around a warm, crackling fire at night. And you should see the stars. It’s beautiful.

One of my fondest memories of the farm happened last fall. It was near dusk, and my dad and I were fishing in the creek that runs alongside our property. Just as the sun was starting to set, we heard the sound of Bluegrass music wafting down into the valley. We didn’t realize that the Brown County Bluegrass Festival was going on just a mile or so up the road. We met back up with Amy and my mom, who had just started a fire near the large tobacco barn on the property. As we all sat around the fire, the jangle of banjoes and fingerpicked guitars, and the thumping rhythm of upright bass provided the perfect soundtrack for the evening. And I don’t know the first thing about bluegrass.

Whether it’s walking along the Serpentine Wall, gazing at the Cincinnati skyline from Newport on the Levee, or just sitting on your front porch, sharing a beer with neighbors – take advantage of the warmer weather. Get reacquainted with your surroundings. If Cincinnati weather has taught us anything, you can be sure it’ll be cold again before you know it. So use this month’s issue as inspiration to get up, get going and get outside!

Pete