Outdoorsy small town/city within an hour or two from a major metro?

[nei]

You could also try Cold Spring, NY along the Hudson River. 1hr15 min train ride to Manhattan, cute shops but not too much going on. Surrounded mostly by state park land, so it's weirdly isolated. Nice hills and some great views overlooking the Hudson.

Northampton, MA has a good biking community.

[DubbleT]

If your husband is dead set on clear water check out the possible towns thoroughly. I haven't seen too many lakes in the southeast or midwest that are as clear as Heber Springs/Greers Lake.

[kikikans]

I have friends who live in WA. It's amazing and fits the bill for both lists. One is Poulsbo WA and the other is Bremerton. I think Poulsbo is more small town. It's got a marina and is close the mountains and clear lakes, etc. The town holds lots of seasnal events. SHe is always telling me about some festival they just went to. All four seasons. We have been there and it's great. I am hoping to move that way some day. Hope you guys choose something ou both love. I think hte person that suggested TX didn't read your lists. lol I live in SA for a huge chunk of my life. It's a great place but there are not four seasons and the whole sweating the second you step out the door thing... yeah. lol happy small town hunting.

[Rob Allen]

You might like Hood River, Oregon, where the Columbia River passes thru the Cascade Mountains.

[MetalLord]

Either Colorado or the Pacific Northwest. No other regions will fit your criteria so well.