Why we love it: This trail offers great views and makes for a good early-season warm-up for both hikers and mountain bikers. When to go: As soon as the snow is gone, or even sooner with Yaktrax ...

Q. We have had a persistent leak in the ceiling by our fireplace. I read in your column that a saddle or a cricket behind the chimney would help this. We had a new saddle installed but have found that ...