When the temperatures plummet …

When the wind howls …

When the car door creaks, and the interior feels like an igloo …

Do you head out for some outdoor fun, or do you hibernate?

Almost everyone I have chatted with this season seems to be divided into polar opposite sides of the question of what to do when it’s cold outside.

So, I decided to take both the indoor and outdoor routes, if you will, to the Bethel area (though you can choose any destination you like). And, who’s to say you can’t do both – ski or whatever by day and get cozy at night, curled up with a book by the fireplace?

The brrr, but bundle up and go route:

Plan a day of fun at Mt. Abram’s tubing park. According to the Mt. Abram Resort in Greenwood/ Locke Mills, the Flying Squirrel is the longest tubing park in Maine. The two trails are open on weekends, holidays and Maine school vacation weeks from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The full-day fee is $15. Mt. Abram has a height cutoff of 41 inches for riding alone. For more information, call 875-5000, or go online to www.skimtabram.com.

Other options are to ski, of course. Either cross country or alpine, or both. Or snowboard. Haven’t taken a lesson? Head over to the Mt. Abram Learning Center to learn to ski or ride. A 1½-hour lesson is offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. According to the Mt. Abram Web site, the cost is $55 for ages 13 and up; $45 for ages 6 to 12.

Getting there: From Lewiston-Auburn, take Minot Avenue or Route 121 to Mechanic Falls. At the traffic light, go straight on Route 11, continue until the road meets Route 26, then turn right, heading north. In Locke Mills, watch for the sign for Mt. Abram, which will indicate a left turn.

The comfy, cozy route:

Crank up the car heater and take off your coat. But keep it close by, because you will be popping out of your car for quick sprints. We are following the same route, traveling on Route 26 north.

At Smalls Falls, look on the right side of the road for the gorgeous frozen ice waterfalls! Difficult to stop for a photo because traffic zooms here, and the rest area is closed – so passengers, enjoy!

Our first stop is Perham’s of West Paris. More than just a store, Perham’s is an experience. If you have not been, or it has been a while, you are in for a treat. There is a new addition and a larger parking lot, with the entrance now on the west side. The separate gem museum room is still in its original location to the right of the front door. Here, you can still see the large specimens and enjoy Maine minerals.

There is a minimuseum of mostly miniminerals throughout the original larger room. These are displayed in elevated cases that may be difficult for the younger or shorter set to enjoy.There is a wonderful selection of books on Maine and on geology – everything from fly-fishing to diners, to jewelry-making and beading.

Looking for pans to find gold? This is the place to find all the tools you need for searching for minerals.

The new room has added lots of beautiful jewelry. A bowl of smoothly polished stones is still only 10 cents each – fun for kids of all ages to look through and find their favorites. Bring home a snowflake obsidian as a memento of a snowy visit.

Perham’s is at the intersection of Routes 26 and 219. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, call 674-2342, or 1-800-371-GEMS; or go online to http://homepage.mac.com/rsprague/pegshop/perham.html.

Another type of gem

Are your friends heading to Mt. Abram? Just before the turn-off, you will see the Cinnamon Stick Café on your left. Now it does not look like much from the outside, but check out the size of that parking lot. It is big for a reason – this is a gem of a diner.

I missed breakfast so I cannot rave about the cinnamon buns, a must for a return visit. But I did have a hearty BLT, with lots of hot fresh coffee. They also have homemade soups, a Lumberjack Burger and homemade desserts, including a prize-winning apple pie – very cinnamon-y, crisp crust and tender apples served hot with a creamy vanilla ice cream.

The Cinnamon Stick Café: A North Country Eatery is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; and from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Mondays. Call 875-2726.

Drop off your friends at Mt. Abram, stay a while in the Loose Boots Lounge if you like, then head to Bethel. Check out new and used books, cards and music in Books ‘N Things on Main Street in the Pok Sun Emporium. I found some wonderful selections of new Thornton Burgess books with well-loved characters like Jimmy Skunk, Johnny Chuck and Grandfather Frog. My family has walked the trails on Cape Cod named after these books. Poke around and find a good book to take along to your next stop. Phone: 824-0275.

Time for a coffee break? Don’t miss the DiCocoa’s Market and Bakery, with its warm, earthy, bright orange and yellow atmosphere. Have a coffee or an espresso. I tried the yummy hot chocolate served with real whipped cream and chocolate syrup drizzle. Everything is natural or organic. The bakery offers some frozen items to take home to bake, as well as a display of fresh items to eat in or take out. I brought home a delicious baguette, crusty with an aromatic soft center. Phone: 824-5282.

Enjoy other stores, shops and eateries in the general area. On your way home coming through West Paris, stop at the Hungry Hollow Country Store, which has many delicious bakery items, an organic/natural foods section and a craft/gift shop. I brought home a blueberry crumb pie made with Maine blueberries. Mmmm. Maybe spring is in the air.

Edith Churchill is a freelance writer living in Auburn who frequently takes day trips with her family.