Spring has Sprung on 2013

Though snow covered lawns and soggy sidewalks aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the season, spring has surely sprung in 2013.

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, spring starts at 7:02 a.m. with the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Equinox means "equal night" and is when the nights and days are about equal everywhere. During an equinox, the sun rises and sets due east and west. This means that the Earth's axis neither points toward or away from the sun.

Click here for more on spring and the vernal equinox.

Once the snow melts, Bedford has tons of locations for springtime frolicking. Here's a list of our favorites:

• Pulpit Rock - A rock formation in the center of a 200-acre conservation property which includes three miles of walking trails. The trail starts at the north end of the parking area and ends at the old mill site at the southern end. The parking area is located off of New Boston Rd, near the Bedford/New Boston town line.

• Riverfront Park - A 30-acre recreational area along the Merrimack River which includes the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, water access for fishing and canoeing, and scenic picnic and bird watching areas.

• Bedford Heritage Trail - A walking trail that travels along the Merrimack River. The trail, part of the statewide Heritage Trail system, starts at the end of Moore's Crossing Rd and heads north along the river for one mile to the Bedford Pumping Station, just south of the 293 bridge.

• Joppa Hill Property - Seated next to Joppa Hill Farm on Joppa Hill Road, this property offers beautiful photo opportunities and 190 acres of passive and active recreational land for hiking, bird watching and picnicking.

• Legacy Park Complex - In addition to a skate park and multiple athletic fields, this property near the intersection of New Boston Road and Wallace Road offers three miles of cross country, walking, and mountain biking trails maintained by the Bedford Cross Country Ski Club.

• Benedictine Park - Home to two walking trails developed by the Bedford Land Trust. The trails - Perimeter and Cobb - are just under a mile. The Permiter Trail follows the edge of the open fields. The Cobb Trail is a woodland trail that parallels Riddle Brook after a moderately steep run through the woods, and is marked with yellow trail markers.

• Waterfowl Park - A 7.6-acre scenic area located off Beech Street with a 1/4 mile walking trail ideal for hiking and bird watching.

• Goad's Trail -  Conservation property that includes a 1/2 mile walking trail though parking is limited off Hardy Road.

• Greenfield Farms - 50 acres of recreational land on Greenfield Parkway.

• Van Loan Trail - One mile trail the bridge across Riddle Brook with entrance off  North Amherst Road, which is perfect for hiking and bird watching.

• Muller Park - 3.6-acres of conservation land off North Amherst Road dedicated for hiking, picnicking and scouting/camping activities.

Did we leave your out your favorite springtime chill spot? Tell us in the comments!